Doerkson ties growth plans to forestry and LNG

Interim B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson is making forestry and liquefied natural gas development part of his party’s case for economic growth, as British Columbia’s election campaign enters its final days with polls generally showing the Conservatives ahead of the NDP. Doerkson said forestry infrastructure could allow the sector to expand quickly and help support the party’s projections of 3.2 per cent economic growth in 2029 and $2.6 billion in additional revenue over three years. Those are Conservative platform forecasts, not confirmed economic outcomes. The party says its plans would also reduce a projected deficit from $14 billion to $10.8 billion by 2030. Kim Haakstad, president and chief executive of the B.C. Council of Forest Industries, said increasing the annual allowable cut from just under 30 million cubic metres to 45 million could generate about $600 million in additional revenue. She cautioned that forestry would not regain its historical role in the provincial economy. A background document shared by the NDP described the council’s estimate as rosy. The sector has faced U.S. lumber duties and fibre shortages, alongside mill closures and temporary...