---
title: "Doerkson backs federal budget, calls for BC to get majority of $6.5 billion in forestry funding"
description: "Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson called the federal budget tabled November 5, 2026 an encouraging and ambitious statement about Canada's economy, and said BC should receive most of the $6.5 billion in forestry support over six years."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/doerkson-federal-budget-forestry-november-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-06T21:02:59.886Z"
---

Premier-designate [Lorne Doerkson](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson) called the federal budget tabled on November 5, 2026 an "encouraging and ambitious statement" about Canada's economic future, and said British Columbia should receive the majority of $6.5 billion in new federal support for the forestry sector, CityNews Vancouver reported on November 5.

## What the federal budget includes for forestry

The federal budget sets aside $6.5 billion over six years, starting in 2027-28, to support Canada's forest industry as it faces combined US tariffs and duties of about 35 per cent. The funding breaks down as:

- **$4 billion** for a new forestry sector accelerator to invest in large facilities and convert them to biorefineries, biofuel operations and other projects
- **$2 billion** to modernize mills and equipment
- **$500 million** to improve fibre supply through forest management, land stewardship and technology

Doerkson told The Canadian Press, as reported by CityNews Vancouver, that forestry is a "key generator" for the provincial economy and that he hopes the majority of the funding will flow to BC.

## Industry response

Kim Haakstad, president and chief executive of the BC Council of Forest Industries, said the $6.5 billion recognizes forestry's importance to Canada's economy "and comes at a critical time for workers, businesses and communities facing a deepening crisis in the sector." She said, however, that funding alone "cannot resolve the strain on our competitiveness."

"We need a clear strategy with concrete actions and timelines to get more wood moving, attract investment, and protect forestry jobs and communities," Haakstad said.

She said timely implementation will be essential because the new money does not start until 2027-28. "Companies need improved conditions to keep operating today so they can invest in the opportunities of tomorrow."

Ravi Parmar, BC's outgoing forests minister, said the funding is a "good start" and that BC needs its fair share given the billions already directed to the auto and steel sectors.

Forestry groups in BC have warned the industry is at a breaking point, with numerous mill closures in recent years.

## What was promised

The Conservative Party of BC platform, [page 16](https://conservativebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261016_BCC_Platform2026_8-5x11-Draft-18_compressed.pdf#page=16), promises to set a floor of 45 million cubic metres for the annual timber harvest, compared with the 29 million cubic metres the current provincial budget assumes. [Page 17](https://conservativebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261016_BCC_Platform2026_8-5x11-Draft-18_compressed.pdf#page=17) promises to create a major-project style permitting process for forestry so approvals take months instead of years, to remove permit costs the party calls unnecessary so mills can reopen, and to make sure First Nations benefit fully from any federal funding to support the forestry industry. The status of these promises is tracked at [voche.me](/bc/provincial-2026/tracker#gov-promise-timber-harvest-floor).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/bc/provincial-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.