May 17, 2018

David Elstone, Executive Director of the Truck Loggers Association issued the following statement regarding the resulting recommendations from the Contractor’s Sustainability Review announced today by Minister Donaldson, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Developments:

“We feel confident the long-awaited Contractor Sustainability Review has captured the concerns of independent timber harvesting contractors across the Province. It validates there are problems in the relationships between contractors and licensees and confirms the declining profitability of contractors.

“The resulting 13 recommendations addressed the majority of the issues that the TLA has been raising for years with government. They will make a meaningful and positive difference for loggers, communities, and the industry.

“We expect that when these recommendations are implemented, they will improve contractors’ ability to negotiate contracts that we expect will ensure their businesses earn a fair rate of return. This is important for the following reasons:

1. Contractors assume a great amount of risk in timber harvesting operations, yet they are not generating profits accordingly.

2. It will allow contractors to reinvest and innovate in their business to help the BC forest industry be globally competitive.

3. It will benefit and bring stability to our families and communities by allowing contractors to maintain highly-skilled, high-paying jobs, support their suppliers, and continue to give back to their communities.

“Fundamentally, these recommendations will create the conditions for those who work in the forest to share in the prosperity that our forest resource generates.

“Our hope is that all stakeholders will embrace these important recommendations for the betterment of our industry and the Province as a whole.

“The Truck Loggers Association would like to express their appreciation to Premier John Horgan and Minister Doug Donaldson for their unwavering commitment to making this vital initiative a priority and implementing change.”

For interviews please contact:

Jennifer Kramer

Director of Communications Truck Loggers Association

P: 604-684-4291 Ext. 2

C: 905-929-9939

Jennifer@tla.ca

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