Russia has emerged as one of the winners from the trade dispute between Canada and the U.S over lumber, the Globe and Mail reports. U.S. government data shows that the nation is importing more softwood lumber from overseas since it imposed tariffs on Canadian suppliers, making them more expensive. Russian shipments are reported to be…
VICTORIA – B.C.’s wildfire-driven provincial state of emergency has been formally extended again, through the end of the day on Sept. 1, 2017. This is the third time the state of emergency has been extended, with previous extensions on July 19 and Aug. 4. The state of emergency declaration will continue to apply to the…
OTTAWA, ON – The Sustainable Forestry Initiative welcomed two new officers and one new member to its board of directors: Mark Rodgers as board chair, Guy Gleysteen as vice-chair, and Laura Downey as a new member in the social chamber. “Mark brings experience as a community leader and builder, Guy works as a senior executive…
WASHINGTON – The United States and Canada failed to settle a festering trade dispute on softwood lumber ahead of talks to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), but Reuters reports that officials from both countries have said they will keep the lumber negotiations on a separate, parallel track. Both U.S. lumber producers and…
Returning from six-day mission to the United States, Quebec’s Minister of Forests, Fauna and Parks, Luc Blanchette, feels his visits will have positive effects for the forest sector. Minister Blanchette said he is confident this mission will have positive spin-offs for the Quebec forest sector and the negotiations for a new softwood lumber agreement. He…
It’s official. The area burned in wildfires this season surpasses the previous record of 855,000 ha. An estimated 894,941 hectares of land has been burned in B.C. since April 1, 2017, Wildfire Service information officer Kevin Skrepnek told CBC News. CBC also reports that so far this year, $315.7 million has been spent fighting the…
FREDERICTON – An order restricting forestry operations in New Brunswick during afternoon hours has been lifted, as weather conditions have contributed to a reduced fire hazard. Forest users are asked to continue to exercise caution, recent rain and cool, damp conditions have reduced the risk for wildfires. “The level of caution that forestry operations and…
VARENNES, QC – Greenfield Global Inc., Canada’s largest ethanol producer and a world leader in high-purity specialty alcohols, has begun a feasibility study to significantly expand operations for sustainable biofuel production at its biorefinery in Varennes, Quebec. The Varennes distillery is the first ethanol plant built in Quebec. The plant already produces some of the…
OTTAWA – The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa (Habitat GO) are joining forces for a “Women in Wood” Build Day on August 15 to help build homes alongside Ottawa families in need of affordable housing. The second “Women in Wood” Build Day will take place at Habitat GO’s largest build…
The NDP government has ordered a review of B.C.’s controversial “professional reliance” system, which uses experts hired by industry to assess the environmental risks associated with logging, mining and other projects, reports the Vancouver Sun. Environment Minister George Heyman said in an interview that reviewing the system is a top priority for the NDP government,…