Mining and forestry are key industries in British Columbia, but both sectors have taken a hit in recent times. Given that, they’re hoping whoever forms Canada’s next government will offer some concrete help. “Right now, we continue to be in a prolonged downturn,” said Mining Association of B.C. president and CEO Karina Briño. “It’s difficult…
A Timber Tower design for a 42-story wood tower, the tallest yet envisioned, has been published in a report by Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), world renowned architects. Its carbon footprint is smaller than a steel tower. The building would be constructed using “Mass Timber Products,” says SOM, including CLT or Cross Laminated Timber, and…
The molecules of plant fibers are being transformed into a light-weight material five times stronger than steel that can be used to make everything from auto parts to electronic displays. No wonder the technology, called cellulose nanofiber, has piqued the interest of executives in Japan, where manufacturers in the world’s third-largest economy import almost all the metal and fuel…
UK scientists have successfully germinated seeds from the critically endangered Japanese Birch, a species that has just 21 known trees remaining. The seeds were collected last year during an expedition to a remote location in mountains near Tokyo. Experts suggest that the remaining wild population of Betula chichibuensis is too small to sustain itself unaided. The young…
The Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility at Ryerson University in downtown Toronto held a panel discussion last week exploring the challenges and best practices regarding forest sustainability in Indonesia. Using Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) as an example of a company that has turned around its reputation in recent years, the panel…
The provincial government has promised to help deal with deer in response to pleas from municipal leaders around B.C. Responding to recommendations made by the Union of BC Municipalities, the province promised to create a Provincial Urban Deer Advisory Committee and provide up to $100,000 for future urban deer management operations. “The creation of an…
Canfor Corporation announces that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Anthony Forest Products Company located in El Dorado, Arkansas (“AFP”) for a purchase price of $93.5 million US which includes approximately $15 million US of working capital. AFP operates 6 facilities producing lumber, engineered wood and wood chips with a combined capacity of 250 mmbf equivalent. AFP owns a…
One of the busiest wildfire seasons in Saskatchewan history is officially over. The Wildfire Management branch of the Ministry of Environment put out the last two remaining fires with little fanfare roughly two weeks ago. It was a quiet end to a year that showed signs of trouble right from the start. “We got an…
Ontario’s forestry and pulp and paper industries celebrated 100 years of worker health and safety this past week. Workplace Safety North held an anniversary event at the Valhalla Inn. The not-for-profit organization focuses on ensuring every worker arrives home safe and healthy. The group has produced a special 100th anniversary video focusing on the history…
Tom Mulcair says the NDP will pump $105 million over three years into programs aimed at making Canada’s forestry sector more competitive. The NDP leader made the announcement Friday during a campaign stop at a forestry college in the small town of Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier near Quebec City. “We will make a series of crucial investments over three years…