The one-year standstill period for launching trade action under the 2006 Canadian-U.S. softwood lumber agreement has now expired. So get ready for a very damaging timber war to begin. If the past is any indication, this bilateral conflict is not likely to end any time soon. In fact, the chances of an early lumber truce…
Quebec has hired a former Canadian ambassador to the United States to represent its interests in the difficult softwood lumber negotiations between Canada and its southern neighbour. Raymond Chretien was named Tuesday as Quebec’s representative in the ongoing talks, which could affect thousands of lumber jobs in the province. The Americans could start imposing duties…
Known for expressing concern for the thousands of Riding jobs at stake in forestry, Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke has been asked to join the Conservative Opposition Softwood Lumber Taskforce to hold the Trudeau Liberals to account for solving the softwood lumber trade dispute with the United States. The failure to strike a new softwood lumber…
Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) says it will respect a B.C. Supreme Court decision to grant a new injunction to Peninsula Logging. The company was the successful bidder for the harvesting rights on cutblock A87125 on the slopes of Mount Elphinstone. BC Timber Sales (BCTS) put the block up for auction in June. BCTS said at…
Great Bear Rainforest Legislation: A Unique Solution Bob Craven, RPF, Interfor Corporation, Coastal Woodlands Land Use Mgr Not many people likely want to read about legislation; however, the Great Bear Rainforest (GBR) legislation is special. It’s the result of an epic journey — a story complete with drama, conflict and weary characters slogging through tough…
Fort McMurray is taking steps to prevent another catastrophic forest fire by extinguishing a fire threat in the heart of the the city. The wildfire hazard, the Birchwood Trails, has been described as a“tinder box” waiting to go up in flames. Birchwood Trails is a network of more than 130 kilometres of maintained trails sandwiched…
The Toronto Wood Solutions Fair is the premier event in Canada dedicated to wood design and construction. This one-day educational event, presented by Ontario Wood WORKS! and the Canadian Wood Council, showcases wood uses in commercial, institutional, industrial and multi-unit residential construction through a trade show and seminars. Intended for architects, engineers and other design/build professionals, the Wood Solutions Fair is…
The province will no longer provide food and shelter for specialized firefighters based in Salmon Arm, and that has Mayor Nancy Cooper concerned for the future of local firefighting. The Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations confirmed it will stop providing catering services for Rapattack firefighters in Jan. 2017 and housing in 2018….
It’s not every day Boundary residents are recognized province wide for their outstanding work. But to hear the Davidsons talk, you’d think their names were chosen out of a hat for the prestigious provincial award for woodlot management. Bob and Dan Davidson, Rock Creek residents who manage a ranch and a substantial woodlot, were recognized…
The Takla First Nation is taking B.C. Timber Sales to court, alleging the band was not property consulted before it gave a Vanderhoof-based logging contractor the go-ahead to carry out operations on its traditional territory. According to a petition filed Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, BCTS granted DNT Contracting Ltd. a licence in…