By raising fees charged on log exports, Forest Minister Doug Donaldson said the province expects to put a 15-per-cent dent in shipments over the next couple of years.

However, there is concern in the industry that an unintended consequence could be that the increased surcharge will make logging too expensive in some instances, which would cost jobs, said David Elstone, executive director of the Truck Loggers Association.

“Not all of the reason, but part of the reason (for log exports) is there was no domestic demand,” said Elstone. “My concern is, right now it’s just too early to understand the whole impact.”

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