Recent mill closures across British Columbia are bringing the theoretical concerns raised in a July 2025 Resource Works report into sharp focus. With the permanent closure of the Domtar pulp mill in Crofton and the West Fraser mill in 100 Mile House, the province is witnessing the real-time contraction of its forest sector.
A recent report by Professor Jerome Gessaroli, titled Rising US Tariffs on Forest Products and the Systemic Risks Facing British Columbia, examines the cascading effects of this decline. The report argues that the forest industry is not just an economic driver but the primary custodian of critical rural infrastructure.
As forestry activity recedes, the maintenance of the province’s vast resource road network is put in jeopardy. Gessaroli warns that a sustained decline in the sector will weaken key infrastructure, affecting everything from mining operations to emergency response times.
“The contraction of the forest sector affects the upkeep and reliability of hundreds of thousands of kilometers of resource roads,” said Gessaroli. “These roads support public safety, emergency response, and other essential activities in rural BC.”
The hidden backbone of rural B.C.
The scale of the infrastructure at risk is immense. The report highlights that British Columbia relies on a 500,000-kilometre resource road network—largely built and maintained by the forest industry. To put this in perspective, Gessaroli notes that if forestry operations contract significantly, companies may be forced to decommission or abandon large portions of this network.
The report projects that losing just 25 per cent of forestry-built roads would result in the loss of 125,000 kilometres of backcountry access. This reduction would have immediate consequences for other industrial sectors that piggyback on this infrastructure.
Mining exploration and energy projects often rely on low-cost road access to remain economically viable. Without the forestry sector covering the baseline maintenance, costs for mineral exploration, pipeline maintenance, and BC Hydro transmission line inspections would skyrocket. Furthermore, the specialized contractor base—those who own heavy equipment and build roads—will shrink, leaving a capability gap for other industries.
Public safety and Indigenous access at risk
Beyond economics, the report identifies critical risks to public safety and social well-being. Resource roads are the arteries of rural emergency response, particularly for wildfire crews. As road conditions deteriorate due to washouts or lack of maintenance, the ability to launch a rapid “initial attack” on wildfires is compromised, increasing the risk of fires escaping containment.
These roads are also lifelines for many remote First Nations communities. They are essential for year-round access to hospitals, schools, and other services, as well as for accessing traditional harvesting and cultural sites.
“Mill closures are a devastating first blow,” said Resource Works CEO Stewart Muir. “These developments highlight the importance of preparing for reduced capacity in the resource road network and its effects on rural regions.”
The decline also threatens the viability of rural communities themselves. As mills close, the local tax base diminishes, and small businesses—from fuel suppliers to repair shops—face insolvency. This accelerates urban migration and threatens the long-term existence of smaller towns.
Supply chain disruptions and the policy path forward
The report also details the interconnected nature of the supply chain. Lower logging volumes mean less availability of wood residuals (chips and sawdust), which are critical inputs for pulp mills, pellet producers, and biomass power plants. This scarcity forces these related industries to seek costlier inputs or cut their own output, creating a negative feedback loop throughout the provincial economy.
In light of these findings, Gessaroli urges policymakers to stop viewing forestry in isolation and start planning for a transition in infrastructure management. The report outlines three key principles for managing this shift:
- Shared Infrastructure Stewardship: Maintenance costs should be distributed across all sectors (mining, energy, tourism) that rely on the road network, rather than relying solely on forestry.
- Targeted Investment: Government must identify and fund essential routes that support safety and connectivity.
- Decentralized Decision-Making: Local and Indigenous governments require greater authority over planning and managing the roads in their territories.
As US tariffs and market forces continue to pressure the industry, the report serves as a timely warning: the loss of the forestry sector is not just a trade issue, but a structural threat to the physical connectivity of British Columbia.
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