Only 37% (22 million hectares) of BC’s forests are available for commercial timber harvesting. However, the contribution to BC’s families, Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and the economy is immense.
Forestry Counts
$7 Billion in local goods and services are purchased each year, supporting 9,900 businesses across 340 communities and 120 Indigenous Nations and organizations.
$6.6 Billion in annual government revenues help fund essential public services and infrastructure throughout British Columbia.
$15.8 Billion has been invested in BC’s future through forest-sector operations and community upgrades between 2013 and 2022.
Forestry supports employment across the province:
48,725 direct jobs
Over 51,000 additional jobs through supporting local businesses
Altogether, more than 100,000 BC jobs depend on forestry.
The sector contributes $17.4 Billion to BC’s GDP each year.
24 percent of all BC exports come from forestry — until recently, it was the province’s #1 export.
The forestry sector supports more than $9 Billion in wages, salaries, and benefits for British Columbians.
Source: Economic Impact Study 2024 – COFI.org; 2019 Regional Supply Chain Study – COFI.org
The purpose of Forestry Works for BC is to encourage citizens and leaders in British Columbia to be proud of forestry.
Please visit Forestry Works for BC – When Forestry Works, we all do better to learn more