oday, Canadian Forest Industries published third-party confirmation that BC’s independent timber harvesting contractors are struggling the most compared to their colleagues across Canada.

This national survey confirms the advocacy position the Truck Loggers Association (TLA) has taken for more than two years. “More than 25 contractors have had to seek insolvency protection in communities throughout coastal BC in the last decade and many continue to struggle to remain sustainable,” said David Elstone, TLA Executive Director. “We must level the playing field between contractors and licensees.”

The survey results show a variety of challenges facing coastal contractors. The age of the current workforce, difficulty in recruiting new workers, tenure consolidation, heavy workload and lack of profitability are all key factors in the lack of contractor sustainability. However, the TLA believes solutions are possible. “It’s going to take some out-of-the-box thinking,” said Elstone. “But I’m confident we can find a way to level the playing field between timber harvesting contactors and the major licensees.”

Elstone believes there is no choice. “We must find solutions. Independent timber harvesting contractors are the economic backbone of coastal rural communities where they provide family sustaining jobs,” said Elstone. “The success of these contractors is reflected in the success of BC’s coastal communities and the provincial economy as a whole.”

Link to Canadian Forest Industries article: 
http://www.woodbusiness.ca/harvesting/logging-profiles/a-breakdown-in-relations-3656