The US housing slump deepened as single-family construction and building permits fell sharply, builder confidence hit a 14-year low, and lumber futures approached a two-year low. In BC Election news: the Council of Forest Industries weighs the parties’ forestry platforms; the BC Community Forests Association calls for more community forests; and the BC Conservatives pledge to support forestry and revitalize the Crofton pulp mill site. Meanwhile, New Zealand welcomes tariff-free access to India’s growing wood products market.

In Forestry news: Mississippi and the White House marked National Forest Products Week; UBC Forestry highlighted research on wildfire and salmon habitat; Thompson Rivers University is retraining laid off forestry workers; and an interview with SFI’s Healy Hamilton on forest certification and biodiversity. Meanwhile: a Wood Pellet Association of Canada webinar on dryer safety; and CelCo conference previewed its dissolving pulp outlook.

Finally, Alberta voters overwhelmingly rejected separation with 76% voting for Canada.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor