North Island officials demand help for B.C.'s struggling coastal forestry sector

Elected officials on Vancouver Island at the local, provincial and federal levels are calling for urgent action to support British Columbia's struggling coastal forestry sector.

At a news conference Monday, Conservative MLA for North Island Anna Kindy, North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn, along with eight Island mayors, urged B.C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney to address the matter, highlighting mill closures, job losses, and the decline of rural communities as key concerns.

The media event followed the release of a letter addressed to both the provincial and federal leaders outlining the concerns in their communities. The letter was signed by Kindy, Gunn and mayors of Sayward, Gold River, Port McNeill, Powell River, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port Alice and Ale