Global softwood lumber trade increased 12% year-over-year to reach a new record-high of 121 million cu. ft. in 2016, according to Wood Resources International. Since the global financial recession in 2009, there has been a steady climb in international trade of lumber, with shipments the past seven years increasing as much as 66%. While it’s…
Unexploded shells, an outbreak of a tree-killing disease in Europe and even pesky Canadian squirrels have failed to defeat Monty McDonald. McDonald, 72, remains determined to fulfil his dream of building a living memorial of oak trees at Vimy Ridge to honour Canadians who fought there 100 years ago. “I have done half a billion dollars’ worth…
Williams Lake city council is tackling the issue of forest health in a resolution it will be submitting to the North Central Local Government Association for consideration. The resolution advocates for the extraction of diseased trees taking precedence over park or protected area designations, as well as other restrictions such as mule deer winter range…
The Forest Practices Board has found Lemare Lake Logging Ltd.’s operations in the East Creek Valley on northern Vancouver Island met provincial standards, but that the company had failed to follow the law requiring it to provide public access to its site plans. “The board concludes that the licensee did not provide the complainant with…
As the days get hotter and drier, the province is reminding Albertans that new legislation aimed at stopping reckless behaviours that could start wildfires includes fines of up to $1 million and even jail time. The changes to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act, which were announced in October, will take effect tomorrow, March 31….
British Columbia’s softwood trade envoy says there’s a slight opportunity to quickly negotiate a new lumber agreement between Canada and the United States, but if a deal can’t be reached by the summer or fall it could mean a lengthy fight. David Emerson said Wednesday he sensed a chance at a deal but also saw…
Denise Parent, director of corporate services, presented a request from Hinton Pulp, a division of West Fraser Mills, for a tax phase-in on the new lignin plant in Hinton to council on March 21. The proposal calls for 20 per cent increases annually starting in 2017 and going until 2021, when full property taxes will…
Gary Powers envisions a bright and successful future for Duncan’s Pro Mac Manufacturing Ltd. Powers, who is originally from Alberta, bought the company just eight months ago and has been working hard since then to meet the growing demand for the company’s existing products, both locally and internationally, as well as developing new and innovative…
The discovery of the body of a cougar in northwestern Ontario is significant, but don’t expect it to spark big changes in how northwestern Ontario’s forests are managed, says a wildlife biologist in Thunder Bay, Ont. The finding was “quite exciting to hear about,” said Ted Armstrong, adding that if it’s verified as wild, he…
FPInnovations is pleased with the announcements made today by Quebec Finance Minister, Carlos Leitão, in his 2017-18 Budget to increase innovation and diversification of forest products. An amount of $46 million is allocated to the forestry sector, confirming the contribution announced by Ministers Blanchette and Anglade on March 16, 2017, and enabling the creation of…