The Forest Products Association of Canada is trying to paint a picture of how the industry and workers are managing through the current COVID-19 crisis.
President and CEO Derek Nighbor recently provided an update to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
“Pulp markets are doing pretty well given the demand. Lumber markets are struggling and writing and printed paper markets are struggling, as well,” said Nighbor.
Nighbor also provided to the committee ideas on how the industry and government can work together to get through the difficult months ahead, and quickly turn to recovery and growth again in 2021.
“We gotta step up for any workers who lose their jobs, swift government response for those support payments. Number two is cash flow supports for those sawmills, those forestry businesses that are struggling. We’ve got a bright future, we just gotta get through these next number of months,” he said.
Nighbor said they have embraced the essential business designation, stressing it is important to keep the supply chain going. However, he notes there are concerns of outside influences.
“I get nervous watching the U.S. response to COVID and this want to open everything up right away because if U.S. housing starts fall off, as they have, in a big way, that’s a big hit to our lumber markets,” he said.
Nighbor said they have worked closely and cooperatively with all levels of government during the COVID-19 crisis.
With files from Mike Ebbeling.
