From May 16-20, our community hosted nearly 400 biologists, policy-makers, First Nations, environmentalists, forestry, oil and gas interests to discuss the most recent scientific findings on the decline of woodland caribou across Canada. An evening, organized by the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, was dedicated to sharing information with the general public. At that session, Paul…
The Forest Practices Board will examine the activities of the BC Timber Sales (BCTS) program and timber sale licence holders in the Vanderhoof Resource District, during the week of June 20, 2016. The auditors will examine all operational planning, harvesting, road, silviculture and wildfire protection practices for compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act…
The province says it will protect an additional 1.8 million hectares of woodland caribou range in northern Alberta and work to increase populations in central Alberta — in what one conservation group is calling a “boreal bonanza and foothills fiasco.” On Wednesday, Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips said the province is moving forward with caribou protection plans for…
The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) met today in Dawson City, Yukon to renew its commitment to key challenges and opportunities for Canada’s forests and forest sector. During their meeting chaired by the Government of Yukon, the Council agreed to renew the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy, and discussed the ways in which the forest…
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says she’s disturbed 300 South African firefighters working the blaze near Fort McMurray are receiving an allowance of only $15 a day, vowing that they’ll be paid what the province’s labour laws require. After less than a week on the job, the 300 firefighters went on strike Wednesday in a pay…
Over 3.3 million hectares of boreal forest straddling the Ontario-Manitoba boundary could be designated a world heritage site by the United Nations in July. The proposed Pimachiowin Aski site encompasses land surrounding Pikangikum First Nation and stretches as far west as Lake Winnipeg. The recognition would represent “a very important boreal cultural landscape,” project co-ordinator…
With sweeping brush strokes, a rich colour palette and a painterly style reminiscent of the great Canadian Group of Seven, Annerose Georgeson’s paintings in the Station House Gallery this month are an honest and commanding representation of the logging industry in northern B.C. At first look one gets the impression that the show simply titled,…
Everything from transports to fire trucks to massage chairs was on the auction block Thursday. Industrial equipment auctioneers Ritchie Brothers were in Thunder Bay for their annual heavy equipment auction, drawing nearly 1,200 potential buyers for the approximately 500 lots. ‘We’re selling anything from construction, forestry, a little bit of mining gear, and obviously a…
Talks between Canada and the United States to resolve a dispute over exports of softwood lumber are making little progress and the matter likely will return to the courts, sources familiar with the negotiations said on Friday. U.S. producers complain that Canadian softwood lumber is subsidized, and have in the past launched trade challenges that…
After some tough times, the future is finally starting to look bright for members of the Ontario Forest Industries Association. “We were pleased in September when we received a letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government acknowledging, and I am quoting: ‘Canada’s prosperity starts with its middle class and trade industries pay on average 50%…