The Vancouver Sun reports in its Thursday edition that for over 250 years, British Columbia's forestry industry has thrived. Guest columnist Greg D'Avignon writes that B.C.'s renewable timberland resource has generated economic wealth and improved our collective prosperity for generations. Today, the sector is also playing a significant role in reconciliation with indigenous communities. The B.C. forestry sector generates 140,000 well-paying, middle-class jobs across the province in over 140 communities. It is against these realities and market opportunities that we should support the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Canada depends on trade for its quality of life. B.C., in particular, is well positioned as the gateway to the Pacific-Rim given which countries have signed on. Over one-third of B.C.'s forestry exports are sold to Asian countries, including Japan, its oldest trading partner. Under CPTPP, tariffs on many Canadian wood products sold to Japan will decline to zero over time, making B.C.'s products even more competitive. At a time when U.S. protectionism is creating risk and uncertainty, the CPTPP will help B.C. diversify and build its markets.