TLA Statement on BC Timber Sales review

Sept 23, 2025

The TLA is pleased to see the Ministry of Forests finally take action on the recent BC Timber Sales review, and we welcome the expanded mandate and resulting recommendations. We are particularly encouraged by the focus on improving access to fibre, especially through predictable and diverse supply, increased volume targets, and timely auctions of unharvested and compromised stands. We also support the ministry’s efforts to maximize marginal harvest opportunities, including enabling the sale of low-value stands and improving utilization of harvest residuals.

 

Equally important is the commitment to meeting timber sale expectations through greater collaboration with licensees, contractors, and First Nations to deliver action-ready sale packages. Simplifying policy, procedures, and contract language will also go a long way toward improving efficiency across the sector.

These are all critical steps toward strengthening community resilience, reducing wildfire risk, and creating sustainable economic opportunities for workers, communities, and our partners in First Nations and community forests.

Following two key articles in the TLA’s Truck LoggerBC magazine, “Is BCTS Broken?” (Fall 2023), which called for a review, and “BCTS Review: BC Government is Promising Big Changes” (Spring 2025), which highlighted many of the now-adopted recommendations, combined with its submission of recommendations, the TLA is optimistic about the direction and four cornerstones that now frame BCTS’ renewed mandate.