Despite being listed as essential services in all ten Canadian states (the Federal government has not been involved in this classification process), allowing them to continue production, Interfor announced a 60% reduction in timber production and US$140m in cuts to capital expenditures for the remainder of 2021.
West Fraser planned to reduce timber, panel, pulp and paper production until at least April 6, with US$75m in capital expenditure cuts for 2020. Western Forest Products announced a halt to all manufacturing for one week while it evaluated the situation. Canfor has temporarily reduced timber production by 40%
“Our principal focus is ensuring the safety and well-being of our people through these unprecedented times, while taking the necessary actions to protect the long-term sustainability of our business,” said Don Kayne, president of Canfor Corporation.
British Columbia’s chief forester, Diane Nicholls, has also ordered a delay to the province’s interior tree planting program that was set to see a record number of seedlings planted in areas affected by the 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons.
According to a report by CBC News, Ms. Nicholls stated “Concerns about the spread of COVID-19 has put the planting season on hold until early May”.
The program, which was set to begin April 20, was due to plant 230 million seedlings over a 10-week period.
