Restructuring on a vertiginous plateau: The evolutionary trajectories of British Columbia's forest industries 1980-2010

► The 1980s recession is identified as a turning point for the restructuring of British Columbia's forest industries. ► Volatility in BC's forest industry results from the combined influences of economic and institutional factors. ► Crucial factors are paradigmatic industrial change, declining resource base and trade, environmental and cultural conflicts. ► Industrial restructuring has resulted in a fragmentation of production and changed core-periphery structure within BC. ► While long-term commodity production has declined, value-added activities are emerging.