Critics say the province is spending huge amounts of taxpayers money fighting forest fires when it should be focusing its efforts on preventing them. Climate models predict hot, dry summers will be the new normal in B.C., and forestry experts such as Lori Daniels say the province needs to be realistic. The province allocated $63 million to fight…
Obama may be on the point of giving Keystone XL a definitive thumbs down Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s comment this week about wanting to grow the economy “from the heart outwards” is destined to haunt him. Big Dipper Tom Mulcair immediately leapt on the bêtise, claiming “I don’t think you can grow the economy with…
The Biomass North Development Centre plans to roll out its region-wide strategy in the coming months to add value to the North’s forestry industry. A North Bay-based biomass advocacy group has resurfaced with a new name and renewed vigour to continue to take Northern Ontario’s forestry sector in a new strategic direction. The former staff…
There could be a bit of Algonquin Provincial Park in nearly every bag of Doritos. And Jeff Muzzi, resource forester for Ensyn Technologies Inc. based in Renfrew, says there are also traces of the province’s oldest park in a variety of brand name barbecue sauces, potato chips, bacon, spice mixes and more. It is because…
Turns out it might be bugs that can answer whether a tree falling in the forest makes a sound. As much of Western Canada faces worsening drought, the region’s forests are drying out – and as the trees dehydrate, they make sounds that attract the kinds of insects that can then kill them off, says…
While the unexpected devaluations of the Chinese currency last week was a shock to the system for many foreign exchange traders, observers say it is unlikely that it will significantly affect Canadian exports and overall economic performance. China’s central bank surprised markets Tuesday by moving the renminbi lower by 1.9 per cent against the U.S….
BC relies heavily on coal and lumber exports but an economist tells us that could be threatened because of the devaluation of China’s currency. Lumber sales can be offset by more purchasing from the US right now but China is one of the biggest consumer of BC’s metallurgical coal. The commodity is already struggling on…
Without the logging industry, Campbell River may not have grown into the city it is today. It owes particular thanks to the International Timber Company – better known as the Elk River Timber Company (ERT) – which established its presence in the region in 1906. During its boom years between 1929 and 1953, it employed…
A massive human-caused wildfire between Mesachie Lake and Port Renfrew has the Cowichan Valley once again covered in a smoky haze, with the Cowichan Lake area particularly hard-hit. The fire near Lizard Lake was first spotted early Wednesday morning, and despite the efforts of firefighters, grew quickly throughout the day and into Thursday. Even the…
Water use restrictions, inland fishing closures and a close watch on the warming Fraser River continue as drought conditions extend into a fourth month in B.C. The Fraser River discharge at Hope measured 31 per cent lower than normal Aug. 10, with the temperature at 19.2 C, one degree higher than average. The Canada-U.S. Fraser…