The Opposition Progressive Conservatives say mixed messages from the Liberal government are jeopardizing thousands of potential forestry jobs in the province. For the second straight day, the PCs demanded to know whether promised Liberal changes to a provincial forestry plan would affect the amount of wood companies can cut. But Natural Resources Minister Denis Landry…
With blazes in Fintry, Falkland, Kelowna and West Kelowna burned into the collective memory of local residents, communities are being urged to take action against wildfires. On Thursday, the provincial government announced an additional $5 million for the strategic wildfire prevention initiative. “The top priority is safeguarding British Columbians,” said Forests Minister Steve Thomson during…
Top birding and nature organizations in Canada and the United States are pressing government for increased protection of boreal forests, including portions of northern Alberta. The coalition, which includes the Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited, is launching a campaign Monday that seeks to have at least half of North America’s boreal forest set aside from…
The Ontario Woodlot Association is holding its annual two-day conference and meeting in Brantford starting Friday, March 20. The conference is being held at the Best Western Brant Park Inn and will cover a range of topics including the environment, invasive species, tree-cutting bylaws and the state of the province’s forests. It is being held…
A private member’s bill brought forward by Whitecourt-Ste. Anne MLA George Vanderburg has passed in the Alberta Legislature. Bill 203 amends the safety codes act to allow wood-constructed buildings to be built to a maximum of six storeys across the province. The bill now lines up with changes made by the City of Calgary last…
Members of Grassy Narrows First Nation will be in Kenora, Ont., today to take part in a protest rally being held to show the First Nations continuing opposition to logging in the Whiskey Jack Forest. Grassy Narrows spokesperson Randy Fobister said the protest will be will be a peaceful one. “It’s pretty much a rally,” he said….
The smoke was barely visible from the village of Radium, B.C., but a fire burned about 90 hectares in just a couple of hours on Friday. It was a closely watched prescribed fire to restore some open forest and native grasslands for bighorn sheep near the Redstreak campground in Kootenay National Park. “As soon as the snow comes off, we want…
The Village of Pemberton (VOP) is taking the next step in investigating whether it should develop a community forest. While past councils have looked at the issue over the years, the VOP recently heard presentations from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) on the application process. B.C. Timber Sales has also…
A startup that is using carbon nanotubes to increase the conductivity of aluminum and a lignin recovery project at an Alberta pulp mill owned by forestry giant West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (TSX:WTF) are among the 10 B.C. companies or demonstration projects receiving $27 million in funding through Sustainable Development Canada (SDTC). The funding was…
Following the recent settlement of a lawsuit launched by Resolute Forest Products against third party FSC certifier Rainforest Alliance over audits of Resolute forests, Forest Stewardship Council has issued the following public statement: In a letter to the president of Resolute FP Canada, FSC has requested Resolute to immediately stop its discriminatory activities against FSC, and take appropriate corrective…