2025 is going to be a challenging year for the forest sector, said B.C.'s forest minister Ravi Parmar while in Williams Lake Saturday, Jan. 11.
"Much of that is because of softwood lumber duties going up as well as the threat of the Trump tariff," the NDP MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca told the Tribune during an interview at the downtown Tim Hortons.
Parmar, who became minister of forests after the October 2024 election, said within hours of being appointed he sent a letter to his federal counterparts Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development asking them to fight for B.C.
"Fight to get a deal for B.C., but also to make sure the federal government realizes the forest sector here in British Columbia has faced challenges for a number of years," he said. "There are a lot of partners going to the federal government concerned about the Trump tariff asking for support, but the forest sector has been asking the federal government for support for a long time."
Parmar intends to develop a Team BC approach to put pressure on the federal government to provide loan guarantee programs, bonding support as well as supports for workers.
B.C. feels it has been providing supports - such as bridging to retirement, training and forest employment programs - alone, he added.
"The federal government has been absent from any of those supports. I'm looking forward to bringing the entire forest sector together over the next number of weeks to be able to work together and hold the federal government accountable and sure they understand that B.C.'s forest sector needs their help."
When he first became minister he identified three top priorities which are restoring confidence in the forest sector, standing up for workers and families and protecting communities, and making sure he is honouring the commitments the government has made to biodiversity and reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous people.
At 30 years of age, Parmar is the youngest MLA in the legislature and the second youngest ever appointed to cabinet.
"I like to think I bring a youth perspective to the work," he said. "I've been an MLA for almost two years now, I took over for John Horgan in his constituency."
He was in Grade 5 when he first met Horgan while doing a project on the 2005 B.C. election.
"I was getting interested in politics seeing all the election signs going up."
Admitting he was a bit of a keener, he asked his teacher how he could get a better grade and she suggested he invite the person who won in the riding to visit the class and be interviewed.
That turned out to be Horgan, Parmar recalled.
"Little did I know that would change the course of my life forever. He was a strong mentor to me."
Prior to entering politics, Parma was a school trustee for about 10 years.
After the election in October, he asked Premier David Eby if he would consider making him B.C.'s forest minister.
"It's a tough portfolio and I was ready for a tough challenge," he said.
Parmar used to work for the forest ministry and was a ministerial aid to forests ministers Doug Donaldson and Ravi Kahlon.
"I've been to Williams Lake many times, especially back in 2018 and 2019 when there were significant mill closures and curtailments happening, particularly in the Cariboo."
Leading up to Saturday, the minister visited various communities along Highway 16 and was in Quesnel on Saturday as well.
While in Williams Lake, Parmar he was meeting with Mayor Surinderpal Rathor on Saturday evening and on Sunday with Atlantic Power and with Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars.
"I'll be back to Williams Lake again and look forward to meeting with Tolko and other partners in future visits and exploring what the opportunities are when it comes to fibre supply and making sure we are taking as much advantage as we can in terms of getting value out of our wood."
The minister be in Prince George on Monday to attend the 22nd Annual BC Natural Resources Forum and plans to meet with the Prince George B.C. Wildfire Service while there.
"I want to talk about with them about the 2025 wildfire season," he said.
