British Columbia Conservative leader John Rustad proposes replacing stumpage fees with a tax on final products to stabilize the forestry industry.

British Columbia Conservative leader John Rustad has proposed to eliminate stumpage fees for harvested timber, replacing them with a tax on final products, if elected. The plan aims to stabilize the struggling forestry industry, which has faced mill closures, including two recent shutdowns by Canfor Corp. Rustad also plans to streamline the permit process and review wildfire management. The governing New Democrats warn this change could escalate the softwood lumber dispute with the U.S.