“When a sawmill shuts down, it isn’t just machines that stop running. The heart of a community stops beating. And it’s happening on this government’s watch.”
– Tony Luck, Fraser-Nicola MLA
VICTORIA, B.C.: Fraser-Nicola MLA Tony Luck has issued a scathing open letter to Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, calling out the Ministry of Forests for its failure to issue cutting permits that have forced Aspen Planers’ Merritt sawmill to halt operations.
Luck says the permitting delays are “unacceptable, irresponsible, and destroying entire communities”, pointing to the devastating loss of jobs, shrinking timber supply, and economic collapse spreading through forestry towns.
“When a sawmill shuts down, it isn’t just machines that stop running. The heart of a community stops beating. And it’s happening on this government’s watch,” Luck stated.
The MLA is demanding immediate action, including fast-tracking permits, publishing clear deadlines, reducing stumpage fees to competitive levels, and releasing a full accounting of backlogs.
“This is not a market blip — this is collapse by design. Minister Parmar’s inaction is a choice, and British Columbians are paying the price,” Luck added.
Luck has given Minister Parmar 14 days to respond with a concrete plan to address the crisis.
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Media Contact:
Ryan Painter
Communications
Ryan.Painter@leg.bc.ca
