Level of raw log exports not acceptable, says NDP Minister during Nanaimo visit

NANAIMO — While issues like the Trans Mountain pipeline and affordable housing dominated much of their first year in power, it appears curbing raw log exports is still on the radar for B.C.’s NDP government. During a visit to Nanaimo’s Coastland Wood Industries last week, Minister of forests Doug Donaldson said an innovation working group formed to study the industry should be prepared to present some solutions soon. He said six-million cubic metres of raw logs were exported in 2016. “That’s something that nobody finds acceptable. What our emphasis has been is trying to turn our attention to how do you have more of those logs processed in mills in B.C.,” Donaldson said. …”This is a process and it will take a little bit of time to turn around.”