Saskatchewan has always been a sleeping giant in terms of its contribution to the Canadian forest industry, despite its massive and mature—though seriously under-utilized—forest resource. But it seems that the giant has now finally awakened. In a flurry of press releases over the span of a week, the province announced a reallocation of its forest resource primarily located north of Saskatoon that will result in significant forest industry investment. It includes a huge sawmill expansion by Dunkley Lumber in Carrot River, Carrier Forest Products ramping up production in Big River, a OSB plant for Prince Albert by new business venture, One Sky Forest Products, and the re-opening of the geographically iconic pulp mill located north of Prince Albert, now owned by Paper Excellence. All told, it will result in over $1 billion in new investment over two years.

It’s worth noting that all of the investments being made in Saskatchewan are by companies headquartered in BC… where the mountain pine beetle severely reduced the merchantable wood basket. …There is a lot of wisdom behind Saskatchewan’s forest reallocation. By approving a new OSB plant, encouraging the reopening of the pulp mill, and making expansion and greater efficiency possible at two of the province’s largest sawmills, softwood lumber producers will now have a local market for their wood chips. Also, both softwood and hardwood resources will be harvested, resulting in better forest management as well as greater logging efficiency. Suffice to say that not only will new jobs be created at these wood processing plants, but also in logging, trucking and all the services needed to support a vibrant forestry sector.