Log Export Crisis in BC

WHEREAS logs exported from British Columbia create forest jobs in other countries at the expense of Canadian jobs; AND WHEREAS raw log exports increased by 1,000 percent from 1996 to 2005: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that: 1 A moratorium be placed on the closure of any mills in British Columbia until a full and comprehensive plan for a revitalized manufacturing sector is created; 2 Cabinet cease to issue any permits for log exports and place a moratorium on exports from all Crown lands; 3 The government reverse its earlier decision to allow Weyerhauser to remove its private lands from Tree Farm Licence TFL; 4 The government ensure full public consultation on any future proposal to remove land from any TFL; 5 The government increase the export tax on raw logs from private lands to ensure there is no economic incentive to export, rather than process locally; 6 The provincial government re-introduce measures that will once again make clear the connection between companies logging British Columbia trees and their commitment to manufacturing capacity in the province; 7 The federal government retain legislation restricting raw log exports and align federal and provincial forest policies; and 8 The federal and provincial governments vigorously oppose the legal challenge to federal legislation restricting raw log exports, which would further erode rights to protect Canadian jobs.