Forest companies appear to have controlled wood dust in their sawmills and pellet plants following deadly explosions in 2012, but WorkSafeBC continues to keep the pressure on to ensure safety. The province’s chief workplace safety agency began a series of inspections targeting wood dust beginning in 2012 after two explosions at sawmills in northern B.C….
A Progressive Conservative MLA says he may rethink his support for the PC forestry plan he voted for in 2014 if there isn’t progress on a new mill in his riding. Jake Stewart says he’s concerned that construction on a new J.D. Irving Ltd. mill in Doaktown has been pushed back to this fall and…
There may be a secret ingredient in your Parmesan cheese: wood. A recent Bloomberg News investigation has found that certain cheeses have more of it than they probably should. The additive is apparently used to prevent clumping, something that can also be avoided with potato starch, according to food scientist Mark Johnson of the Center…
Using prescribed burns to slow the spread of the mountain pine beetle is an expensive method that likely won’t work, according to at least one scientist who’s studied the beetle for the past 20 years. Diana Six, a professor of forest entomology and pathology at the University of Montana, cast doubt on the effectiveness of…
Building Toronto’s first modern wooden mid-rise has certainly been a learning curve, starting with where to get the construction materials. Following the lead of British Columbia, Ontariochanged its building codes last January to allowwooden building structures of up to six storeys. First out of the gates in Toronto is Heartwood the Beach, a six-storey, 37-unit…
The Truck Loggers Association (TLA) applauds the 2016 Budget released today. “It focuses on supporting BC’s rural communities where our forest industry continues to create jobs and support communities,” said David Elstone, TLA Executive Director. The potential impacts of wildfire were addressed on two fronts. A new organization, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, will…
Alberta is starting its wildfire season a month early after flames last year torched almost 5,000 square kilometres. Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier said Tuesday the extra time provided with the March 1 launch will ensure that crews are recruited, trained and positioned to respond quickly to any wildfires that break out in early spring and…
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is threatening to throw Resolute Forest Products entirely out of its green forestry certification program after a January meeting with company CEO Richard Garneau. FSC director-general Kim Carstensen said “there were no signs that Resolute is willing to engage in efforts to resolve the problems they pointed out so eloquently….
Norbord Inc. today announced that its shares have been authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Norbord expects its shares to begin trading on the NYSE on February 19, 2016 under the symbol “OSB”. The Company will retain its primary listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), but is changing its ticker…
Climate change is happening quickly, but forests adapt slowly. That’s the root of the problem that will challenge Canada’s forest industry for the next hundred years. The effects of climate change will vary by region. It is believed that Canada will experience a greater rise in temperature than the predicted global average. During a webinar…