For the first time in decades, pockets of the spruce budworm have been found in the Maritimes, prompting scientists to spring into action. Estimates suggest almost 80 per cent of balsam fir and white spruce trees were destroyed by the insect in Cape Breton in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as more than half…
Discovery Air Fire Services Inc. (“DAFS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Air Inc., announced today that it has signed a new agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“OMNRF”) to provide Birddog Aircraft Services and Detection Aircraft Services (including Detection Observers) in support of the OMNRF’s forest fire management requirements. This…
The Ministry of Natural Resources is ready for the 2015 fire season, which officially began April 1st Fire information officer Jonathan Scott said Tuesday that the ministry will have the same resources in place to fight fires as it did last year. There will be no changes in crew numbers, with 101 four-person crews, to…
Norbord Inc. (“Norbord”) (TSX: NBD) and Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. (“Ainsworth”) today announced the completion of their merger. Under the terms of the transaction, Norbord acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Ainsworth in an all-share transaction and Ainsworth shareholders received 0.1321 of a share of Norbord for each Ainsworth share. Ainsworth is now…
You might be aware of the looming skills gap in British Columbia, with tens of thousands of jobs expected to go unfilled in the coming years as companies in all sectors are unable to find people with the skills and training they need. Well, in the forestry industry, that skills shortage is not just looming,…
Rick Jeffery, President, Canada Wood Group,President & CEO, Coast Forest Products Association Having taken part in trade missions to India over the past three years, the most recent consisting of a 26-member delegation in February, it was apparent that the Indian market has a strong demand for wood not currently met through its traditional supply…
The commitment being shown to technology and innovation is helping to drive Canada’s burgeoning forestry industry. In recent years, Canada’s forestry sector has been through an exciting transition. Conscientious industry leaders have partnered with the research sector to pull forestry in Canada into the 21st century. As Canada continues to recover from the economic downturn,…
Nova Scotia Power recently reported that the biomass boiler used to generate electricity for the province consumed 393,423 green tonnes of biomass in 2014, its first full year of operation. Not all the biomass originated in Nova Scotia; almost one quarter was imported. Nova Scotia Power spokesperson David Rodenhiser told CBC News the company went outside…
West Fraser today announced the appointment of James Gorman as Vice-President, Corporate and Government Relations effective May 19, 2015. Mr. Gorman will join West Fraser after having served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Forest Industries since 2013. Prior to joining COFI, Mr. Gorman served in a number of senior leadership…
Canada’s top lumber companies, struggling to make two-by-fours from trees killed by the mountain pine beetle, made less lumber at home in 2014, but made up for it by increasing production at mills they own in the United States, according to a survey by industry consultants International Wood Markets. The top five Canadian companies saw…