The short-term economic impacts of the private woodlot silviculture program in New Brunswick

Abstract

The economic impacts of the 1990-91 private woodlot silviculture program expenditures in New Brunswick were estimated. This program is part of a Federal-Provincial forestry agreement which provides woodlot owners with financial assistance to carry out a variety of stand improvement and reforestation activities. A survey was conducted in the spring of 1992 to gather information on financial, educational and social characteristics of program participants and employees. The economic impacts were quantified using an input/output simulation model. The impacts are modest due to the province's heavy reliance on imports of consumer goods. Approximately 26% of gross pay was absorbed by work-related expenses. The silviculture contractors interviewed depended on the private woodlot program for almost 70% of their annual income. Eliminating the private woodlot silviculture program would cause financial hardship to the silviculture contracting sector. -from Authors