Forestry has been a passion and a career for Martin Watts for 25 years, but, since attempting to point out problems with B.C.’s process for setting logging rates, his forestry consulting business has nosedived and Watts is claiming in a civil suit that he was blacklisted by the provincial government. “My business doesn’t really exist…
A group of Quebec mayors made its case in Washington, D.C. today for a quick end to the dispute over softwood lumber, which has hurt the industry in the province. Communities across the province depend on the industry, said Drummondville Mayor Alexandre Cusson, who led a trade mission to the U.S. capital. “We’re looking for…
Recent activity at West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has revealed that British Columbian billionaire Jim Pattison owns a significant minority stake in the company, prompting speculations of a merger with rival Canfor Corp., according to an analyst. Pattison owns 10 per cent of West Fraser, North America’s No. 1 lumber producer, said Paul Quinn, a…
Pressure from big-name U.S. wood retailers will be Alberta’s key ally in resolving the softwood lumber dispute, says the man hired to plead the province’s case. Former U.S. ambassador Gary Doer was in Edmonton Tuesday to meet with government officials. Canada is on the side of justice when it comes to lumber legal rulings, Doer…
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) welcomes the new transportation legislation tabled by Transport Minister Marc Garneau today. CEO Derek Nighbor says the government understands that a more competitive and efficient transportation system is critical for Canada’s forestry dependant communities. The legislation tabled by Minister Garneau today would promote transparency, system efficiency, and strong…
The federal government’s aid package for the softwood lumber industry is expected to go before cabinet Tuesday for final approval. Sources tell CBC News the package will contain a “substantial” envelope of money — just under a billion dollars — to help the sector struggling to cope with new tariffs recently imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce….
Canadian lumber company Resolute Forest Products Inc RFP.N said its move to temporarily lay off 1,282 employees was related to the United States’ decision last month to impose preliminary anti-subsidy duties on imports of Canadian softwood lumber. The company said, starting Monday, it would cut shifts at three sawmills in Quebec for a six-week period,…
Community action groups fighting the logging of the Upper Clearwater Valley at the entrance to Wells Gray Provincial Park have banded together and are going above the province to take their issue to the federal level. The company carrying out the logging, Canfor, as well as the B.C. government, have refused to stop the logging…
That the current crop of politicians don’t understand trade and tariffs is well known. Donald Trump and his administration really do seem to be labouring under the impression that imports make us all poorer. Entirely the wrong way around of course, imports are what make us richer, they’re the very point in having trade in…
Forests come in many different formats, but they’re all hugely important to life on Earth — humans included. Yet as deforestation continues to shrink woodlands around the world, these eminent ecosystems are overdue for some good news. And a new study obliges: Using satellite imagery, scientists have discovered global forest cover is at least 9…