Nearly two months ago, one of B.C.’s key economic generators warned they were on the verge of shutting down. 

Now the federal government has earmarked $6.5 billion in funding for the country’s forestry sector. But that money will be rolled out over six years, won’t start flowing until at least the middle of next year and it’s not yet clear how much of it will come to B.C.

“It’s really an urgent situation and we really need action right away,” said Peter Lister, executive director of the Truck Loggers Association. 

In the last three years at least 20 mills have permanently or indefinitely shut down in the province. While the federal funding is welcomed, industry leaders say action is needed today to reverse the damage that’s already been done by plummeting lumber costs and American tariffs.

“Companies are shutting down, people are getting laid off, it’s tough times in a lot of communities for B.C.”

Ottawa remained relatively vague on how the $6.5 billion will be distributed. The feds say they’ll allot $4 billion to what they call a ‘forestry sector accelerator,’ $2 billion to modernizing equipment and half a billion aimed at improving the Woodfibre supply. But Industry leaders say there’s a lot of work ahead to fix the sector they described as currently ‘un-investable.’

“So a lot of these guys in the current situation are saying why should we take that financial risk when we don’t know if we have work in the next month or two?” said Lister.

Even though this federal investment is historic for Canada, Kim Haakstad with the BC Council of Forest Industries says funding alone won’t solve the root issues. Haakstad points to convoluted and costly regulatory barriers from federal and provincial governments as something that needs to be addressed quickly.

“Make sure the measures the feds undertake compliment the provincial efforts Premier-elect Doerkson has been talking about to get wood moving to mills again,” said Haakstad.

“You know that I’m obviously very passionate on that topic,” said Lorne Doerkson.

On Thursday premier-elect Lorne Doerkson welcomed the federal liberal’s budget with open arms, and said he ‘hopes’ that B.C. will receive most of the funding. But forestry workers across the province are banking on more than just hope.