Logging association says industry is facing shortage.
from Norm MacDonald's office
VICTORIA – A sudden increase in demand for BC lumber in the United States is drawing attention once again to the BC. Liberal government's failure to prepare the province for looming skills shortages and the return of the forest industry, say the New Democrats.
“We’ve been asking the government to take action on the skilled labour shortage for nearly a decade,” said New Democrat forestry critic Norm Macdonald. “We've been very vocal in our attempts to warn the government that unless it takes action to stabilize communities, British Columbia is going to lose workers and never get them back."
The head of the Central Interior Logging Association, MaryAnne Arcand, has said northern BC is facing a shortage of 2,000 drivers and equipment operators as demand has ramped up from the US. following devastating storms on the east coast. The problem reflects long-standing concerns about skilled labour shortages in the province.
“When we hear numbers referenced like ‘shortage of 2,000,’ real alarm bells go off.
“When we hear numbers referenced like ‘shortage of 2,000,’ real alarm bells go off. What the industry most feared would happen appears to have happened; workers went to Alberta for greater economic opportunity and benefit and never came back," said Macdonald.
Adrian Dix and BC's New Democrats have made education and skills training a priority because they are key to growing a sustainable economy.
About Norm Macdonald
Norm Macdonald is MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke
Critic for Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations
Norm Macdonald was elected as the MLA for Columbia River - Revelstoke on May 17th, 2005. He was re-elected on May 12, 2009.
Prior to his election, Norm held the position of principal at Nicholson Elementary, a small rural school outside of Golden. Norm has taught for more than 15 years in the Columbia Valley.
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