The Wood File: Who's hot...and who's not
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Here are some of the latest developments in the British Columbia election campaign.
CENTREBC PROMISES TO INCREASE JOBS FUND
CentreBC says it would double B.C.’s Manufacturing Jobs Fund to $60 million a year and open it to more types of jobs.
The fledgling party led by legislator Elenore Sturko says it would add a new stream to the fund covering those who build prefabricated homes, who make mass timber or other finished wood products or who process and store food in the province.
Sturko says B.C. has lost 35,800 jobs in goods-producing industries, including natural resources, manufacturing and construction in the last year and U.S. tariffs have hurt B.C. plywood and other wood product industries.
“Harvest here. Make it here. Build here,” she says in a statement. “Every tree and every harvest should create as many jobs for British Columbians as possible.”
GREENS FOCUS ON TOURISM
The BC Green Party has released its platform related to the tourism industry, promising to double funding for parks, trails and recreation sites to $114 million.
The party says it will create a $30 million annual Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund for five years to build and improve trails, campsites and day-use areas.
A new fund would also be created to build housing for year-round and seasonal workers in tourism-dependent communities.
Green candidate for West Vancouver-Sea-Sky Jeremy Valeriote says in a statement that tourism lets communities build prosperity that lasts, without destroying the places it depends on.
“This tourism plan puts B.C.’s economy, its workers, and its communities first, while expanding this critical sector to ensure our province can continue to welcome tens of millions of tourists every year,” he said.
LEADERS TO ATTEND Q AND A SESSION
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade says it will host David Eby, Lorne Doerkson and Green Party Leader Emily Lowan on Tuesday as they present their visions for B.C.
The board says the event at a hotel in Vancouver won’t be a debate, instead each leader will deliver an address followed by a question-and-answer session with the board’s president Bridgitte Anderson.
The campaign’s only live and televised leaders’ debate will take place next Wednesday.
CONSERVATIVES UNVEIL TV AD
The B.C. Conservatives have released a television advertisement introducing interim leader Lorne Doerkson to the province, showing him fighting a wildfire and criticizing NDP Leader David Eby’s early election call.
Doerkson, who was elevated to the main Opposition party’s leadership just two days before the election was called last month, says in the ad that people are asking where he came from.
He says he’s “been here the whole time,” as news footage of him fighting a fire with a hose flashes onscreen.
Doerkson, dressed in a blue suit and ties, speaks straight to the camera as he says Eby called the election “because he sees an opportunity for himself,” while Doerkson sees an opportunity for British Columbians.
DITCHED CANDIDATE ‘TRULY SORRY’
A candidate for British Columbia’s provincial election, kicked out of the Conservative party over online posts the NDP called racist, says he is “truly sorry.”
Victoria-Beacon Hill candidate Joachim Agou says on social media that he takes responsibility for his words but rejects accusations of racism.
In one post, Agou said a car that drove through a pro-Palestine protest “should have reversed” over demonstrators, while another showed him sharing a meme that used an expletive to describe Pakistan.
NDP Leader David Eby says it’s “a continuation of embarrassing conduct by Conservative candidates” and a disgrace that Agou was ever put forward.
Interim Conservative Party leader Lorne Doerkson said Thursday that Agou’s posts were inexcusable and if elected Oct. 24, Agou would not be part of their caucus.
Agou says in a Thursday Facebook post that he should have expressed himself “more clearly and calmly,” stating that demonstrations “should not bring a city to a standstill or put lives at risk.”
He says he understands why the Conservatives withdrew their support and he will run as an independent in the riding considered to be an NDP stronghold.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2026.
Canadian Press Staff, The Canadian Press
