Trevor Halford, the MLA for Surrey-White Rock and interim leader of the BC Conservative Party, believes British Columbians carry a deep sense of pride in their ability to endure. Looking at the forestry sector over the last several years, he sees a workforce that remains steadfast despite significant political hurdles. These workers have navigated a challenging landscape under the current NDP government.
According to Halford, these individuals are not looking for a handout. Instead, they are hungry to get back to the land and perform the jobs they know best. “They’re hungry, and they’re there, and they are wanting to work,” he notes. Their drive keeps the province’s economic engine turning.
A foundation of history
The province did not become a resource powerhouse by accident. Halford points out that the entire natural resource sector stands on the shoulders of the wood-processing industry. This history stretches back much further than a few family trees.
He emphasizes that “our entire resource sector was built on the forestry sector, not just generations ago, but hundreds of years ago.” To him, this isn’t just a legacy industry. It remains the essential “lifeblood of British Columbia” today. The infrastructure and communities across the province rely on this historical foundation to survive.
Searching for support
While the grit of the workforce is undeniable, Halford argues that resilience alone is not enough. Workers need to know their leadership values their contribution. They are looking for a sign that the people in power understand their daily struggles and aspirations.
The core of the issue rests on a simple question of trust and partnership. “What they want to know is, do they have a government that has their back?” Halford asks. He suggests that, currently, many in the sector feel abandoned by the province’s decision-makers.
Pride in the sector
Despite the lack of support from Victoria, Halford remains optimistic about the people themselves. He finds inspiration in the loggers, mill workers, and technicians who keep the industry alive. Their refusal to give up defines the character of the province.
He takes a firm stance on the quality of the people working in the woods and mines. “I believe that the people working in our natural resource sector are so resilient, and I’m so proud of that,” he says. For Halford, the future of the province depends on honouring that spirit.
Ian Biana writes for the Resource Works Accelerate team and can be reached at [email protected].
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