B.C. wood products manufacturer forced to look to the U.S. for survival or shut down in 6 months

VICTORIA, BC: Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes, says the plight of BC Veneer Products in Surrey — the manufacturer behind Premier David Eby’s much-promoted “wood-leather” soccer ball — is a symbol of how the NDP has failed the entire value-added and forestry sector.

“Just last month I was shocked to learn that while the premier was promoting this soccer ball abroad, the company behind it was already running out of wood,” said Rustad. “Today, they can’t get fibre anywhere in B.C. and are being forced to look to Oregon in the middle of a U.S. tariff war, in spite of this government’s constant talk of ‘Buy BC.’”

“The BC NDP government is driving our value-added industry south of the border. The irony is staggering — and the hypocrisy is worse. Every load that goes south props up jobs in the U.S. while taking them away from workers here at home.”

“BC Veneer’s struggle is not an isolated case, it represents dozens of other businesses staring down the same fate of potential permanent shutdown. Value-added producers across the province are fighting to survive,” said Rustad.

Anna Kindy, MLA for North Island, said the situation is dire. “The owner told me they feel like they are being punched in the face by this government. For 29 years they’ve operated in B.C., sourcing fibre from a North Island woodlot. But now that supply is gone, unless the government acts.”

“They are limping along in hospice — money drained, only running six months out of the last year. The owner is terrified for the livelihoods of his 17 workers. And it’s not just them — all value-added businesses are in desperate shape,” said Kindy.

Ward Stamer, Critic for Forests and MLA for Kamloops–North Thompson, added: “It’s disheartening to hear how the Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, treated this company. When they asked for an emergency allocation — just ten truckloads to stay alive — the minister aggressively brushed them off. That’s not leadership.”

“If BC Veneer can’t source fibre, they’ll be shut down in less than six months. The clock is ticking for this government to act before more of our value-added industry collapses,” said Rustad. “What we need is dependable access to fibre, now and in the future. Give these workers something to add value to, and they will keep building B.C.’s economy.”

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Media Contact:
Brad Zubyk, Chief of Staff
Conservative Caucus of B.C.
brad.zubyk@leg.bc.ca