VICTORIA — Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says it is “unacceptable” that Ottawa always steps up when it comes to supporting key sectors in Ontario and Quebec, but “continues to drop the ball” when it comes to supporting B.C. forestry.

Parmar’s comments come after federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu announced Friday that Ottawa will contribute $12 million toward a $29-million package to help keep a paper mill in northern Ontario open.

Parmar says he does not want to “pit workers against workers,” adding that he is glad that Ottawa is providing the support for those workers in Ontario.

But Parmar says it is time that forestry workers in B.C. get the “same treatment” as forestry workers elsewhere, because “their paycheques matter just as much as the paycheques of those folks working in that paper mill” in Ontario.

This appeal comes after Parmar joined Premier David Eby and other industry leaders Tuesday in asking the federal government to help the sector in the face of tariffs now adding up to 45 per cent.

Ottawa has announced $1.2 billion in support for the Canadian softwood lumber industry, but Parmar says it is time for the federal government to speed up the distribution of those funds.

Parmar says B.C. is ready to help forestry workers, but is also concerned about the lack of discussion around softwood lumber when it comes to resolving the current trade dispute with the United States.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press