Canada’s housing agency forecasts a multiyear slump in housing starts amid weaker demand and rising costs, while the US economy shows resilience with stable layoffs and mixed housing signals. In related news: the US launched a process to rebuild tariff pressure on 16 countries; the Iran war may accelerate changes in EU lumber flows; and economist Jock Finlayson says US tariffs aren’t BC forestry’s biggest problem. 

In Forestry news: ENGO’s worry that Mark Carney’s new nature strategy will lack funding; Alberta’s drought conditions create wildfire concerns; Taan Forest is Canada’s first FSC verified impact forest; and a US Forest Service video on reducing roadside ignitions. Meanwhile: COFI’s convention includes a State of the Forest Economy panel; Canadian Woodlands Forum’s Spring Meeting is in Moncton; Ontario’s Professional Foresters gather in Pembrook in April; and the BC is Burning video comes to Nanaimo March 25.

Finally, new data for timber products weighs up the carbon impacts of material choices.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor