Supports for Forestry Workers, Communities and Businesses
Last updated on September 18, 2024
The Province is providing coordinated and comprehensive supports for workers, communities and First Nations and businesses to offset any economic impacts that may follow from new restrictions on harvesting old growth forests and other changes in the forest sector.
Current support programs
FOR WORKERS and CONTRACTORS
- Bridging to Retirement: Supports eligible forestry workers and contractors 55 and older to transition to retirement. Eligible workers may receive up to $75,000 subject to available funding.
- Forest Employment Program: Creates short-term employment to help forest contractors explore new work.
- Employer Training Grant: Provides impacted contractors with skills training and educational opportunities for new careers.
FOR COMMUNITIES
- Community Workforce Response Grant: Provides impacted workers, communities and employers with skills training and educational opportunities for new careers.
- Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program: Supports rural economic development projects that promote economic capacity building, economic diversification, resilience, clean economy opportunities and infrastructure development.
- Community Transition Services: This team will provide on-the-ground economic development and community support service, and will coordinate with ministries and organizations to ensure supports are in place for individuals and communities.
- Rural Business and Community Recovery Initiative: Funds advisory services that support rural businesses and communities in economic recovery. Program is administered through B.C.'s three economic trusts - Northern Development Initiative Trust , Economic Trust of the Southern Interior and Island Coastal Economic Trust.
FOR BUSINESSES and EMPLOYERS
- BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund: Helps manufacturing companies modernize, innovate, and grow by providing funding for capital projects in all regions in B.C., particularly in communities affected by economic impacts or downturns.
- Employer Training Grant: Provides impacted employers with skills training and educational opportunities for new careers.
Our Forests. Our Future.
We're changing how we manage B.C. forests by taking better care of old growth forests, making communities and smaller businesses a priority, and working in partnership with First Nations.