Paper Excellence is in talks with rival Domtar in what would be a US$ 3-billion deal, although these discussions may not result in an agreement. In other Business news: Lumber shortages and high prices ease pressure on Trudeau to reach a softwood deal; housing growth in Canada and the US push lumber prices higher, and Russ Taylor expounds on ‘how high can lumber go‘.

In other news: Canada announces funding for Indigenous Forest Sector; Oregon’s forest sector claims their tax burden is excessive; BC disagrees with ENGO claim on old-growth logging increase; a rash of tree thefts sparks call for more enforcement in Vancouver Island, and Courtenay’s City Council follows Nanaimo on old-growth logging deferral, as Campbell River fights what it calls ‘forestry misinformation‘.

Finally, Tolko to modify its logging plan in response to community watershed concerns.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor