California Procurement Bill Threatens Canadian Forestry Jobs and State Social Housing Initiative

  |  
October 1, 2021

California Governor Gavin Newsom currently has on his desk a state procurement bill (AB 416) that threatens Canadian forestry jobs as well as a recently tabled and critical State social housing initiative.

Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and the United Steelworkers (USW) fully support the legislation’s laudable intention to ensure that wood products are responsibly sourced from sustainably managed forests.  Our concern is that AB 416 – if not vetoed by Governor Newsom – will make it more difficult for the State of California to address affordable housing needs and puts Canadian jobs at risk in the process. At a time when governments around the world are investing in community infrastructure, the bill will limit competition and wood supply while increasing the cost of sustainably sourced wood from leading markets like Canada.

We are also concerned that the bill will impact Canadian forestry jobs by driving State procurement decisions to markets that don’t enjoy Canada’s robust commitment to sustainable forest management, family-supporting wages, and health and safety protections.

Canada is a world-leader in sustainable forest management.  Our sector has an opportunity to use forest management as a tool to fight climate change and keep communities safer from worsening fire patterns. At the same time - the use of long-lived wood products that store carbon (such as in buildings), further contributes to a low-carbon economy.

Our workers are proud to be part of a sector that is built upon key principles that include ecosystems-based management, engagement with local rightsholders and stakeholders, limiting annual harvests to less than 0.5% of harvestable forests, and replacing more than what’s harvested to ensure that Canadian forests remain as forests forever.

We believe that California and Canada share common interests in building back a post-pandemic economy that’s greener and more inclusive. This bill stands in the way of that by creating unintended consequences that puts Canadian forestry jobs at risk and will drive costs up for Californians who are already facing an affordable housing crisis.

Derek Nighbor is the President and CEO of Forest Products Association of Canada

Jeff Bromley is the Wood Council Chair for the United Steelworkers Union

For more information contact:
Kerry Patterson-Baker
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
kpatterson-baker@fpac.ca
(613) 563-1441 x 314
Follow FPAC on LinkedIn
Categories
No items found.
September 15, 2025
Canada’s Forest Products Sector Applauds Build Canada Homes Initiative, Calls for Bold Action on Rapid Housing Delivery
FPAC welcomes the federal government’s creation of the Build Canada Homes (BCH) agency
Read This
September 15, 2025
Recognizing Canada’s Emerging Forestry Professionals
2025 Green Dream Interns share firsthand experiences
Read This
September 5, 2025
Canada’s Forest Sector Welcomes New Measures to Strengthen Strategic Canadian Industries 
Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) welcomes the federal government’s announcement of new measures to support trade-exposed Canadian businesses and employees and to enable economic transformation.
Read This
August 5, 2025
FPAC Welcomes Prime Minister Carney’s Support for Forest Sector Employees and Businesses
FPAC Welcomes Prime Minister Carney’s Support for Forest Sector Employees and Businesses
Read This
September 21, 2020
Lisa Raitt Honoured As Community Champion By Canada's Forest Products Sector
Forest Products Association of Canada recognizes former minister Lisa Raitt's leadership in the forestry sector with Forestry Community Champion award
Read This
November 13, 2019
The Search for Canada's Greenest Workforce
Canada's forest industry is a top employer and global leader in sustainability, forest management, clean technology and innovation
Read This
February 20, 2019
Opinion | Workforce Diversity - Canada's Forest Sector Branches Out
Forest Products Association of Canada embraces diversity and encourages women and indigenous to join the forestry workforce
Read This
August 25, 2025
Green Dream Poem | Green Dream Internship 2025
Green Dream Poem | Green Dream Internship 2025
Read This
August 13, 2025
Finding Your Place as a Woman in Forestry | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Finding Your Place as a Woman in Forestry | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Read This
August 11, 2025
Beyond the Cutblock: What Cabin Owners Taught Me About Forestry | Green Dream Internship | Blog
Beyond the Cutblock: What Cabin Owners Taught Me About Forestry
Read This
August 8, 2025
Career Pathways and Development: How West Fraser Builds Careers from Within | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Career Pathways and Development: How West Fraser Builds Careers from Within | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Read This
Related content currently unavailable for this article.