Two Quebec-based companies are looking to expand their reach and profits by forming one of Eastern Canada’s largest producers of treated wood, with seven plants in four provinces. The joint venture would own Goodfellow Inc.’s three plants in Delson, Que., Elmsdale, N.S., and Deer Lake, N.L., and Lebel Cambium’s two Ontario plants (Bancroft and Caledon)…
Chad Wasilenkoff, executive chairman of Fortress Paper Ltd. (TSX:FTP), is one of the more unconventional businessmen you are likely to meet. The 43-year-old businessman cares little for corporate prestige and takes some pride in being “anti-corporate.” His company’s head office is in a small, nondescript building sitting on top of a McDonald’s at Lonsdale Quay…
Did you know that there is currently a bourbon barrel shortage? Probably not, but according to a Wall Street Journal article from this past May, the lumber industry, and subsequently coopers, have struggled to keep up with the demands of the exploding bourbon industry. Between 2010 and 2013, bourbon production increased by 50%. That’s a…
Canada’s cement and steel sectors say Quebec is favouring one industry and possibly putting public safety at risk by allowing wood to be used in the construction of buildings up to 12 storeys high. The Cement Association of Canada said Wednesday that the province’s new guide for the construction of taller wood buildings is primarily…
The B.C. government’s forest stewardship plans for Crown land are unenforceable, lack measurable results and are not producing innovative forest management, according to an investigation by the Forest Practices Board. The board reviewed 43 stewardship plans from all regions of B.C., prepared under provincial law by tenure holders including forest companies and communities. There has…
The Quebec government is hoping to give a shot in the arm to the province’s forestry sector by allowing lumber to be used in the construction of buildings up to 12 storeys tall. Premier Philippe Couillard says regulation changes were developed in consultation with the provincial agency responsible for the building code and with FPInnovations,…
At last Monday’s Committees of the Whole meeting, councilors were presented with a letter from Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Bill Mauro. Here is the letter in its entirety: Thank you for your letter regarding the location of the southern boundaries of caribou ranges in northeastern Ontario. It was a pleasure to meet on…
The United Kingdom has announced plans to build the world’s largest biomass powerplant. The Tees Renewable Energy Plant (REP) will be located in the Port of Teesside, Middlesbrough and it will have a capacity of 299 MW. While the plant is designed to be able to function on a wide range of biofuels, its main intended power…
Utility’s major client billed mostly for thermal power; others pay more for renewables Nova Scotia Power Inc.’s largest customer, Port Hawkesbury Paper LP, is being shielded from mounting fuel costs falling on other ratepayers. While Port Hawkesbury Paper is billed primarily for cheaper thermal power, the rest of us pay for the boutique stuff coming…
A certified arborist is comparing his industry to the “wild west” as more and more people are taking up the job with little to no training in an attempt to cash in on the demand created by the emerald ash borer. Jamie Enright said that while he has been trained to use ropes to climb up towering trees…