Region Archives: Canada

Special Feature

BC’s Wildfire Future Needs Forest Professionals

Christine Gelowitz, RPF, Forest Professionals BC
Forest Professionals BC
October 27, 2025
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada West

Christine Gelowitz

Wildfires may fade from view in the fall, but the danger — and need for action — remains. More than 880,000 hectares burned in B.C. this year; that’s 75 per cent higher than the 20-year average. With the likelihood of more extreme fire seasons ahead, work to prepare for and mitigate the wildfire risk needs to happen year-round, not just when we smell smoke. And registered forest professionals are at the forefront of that preparation.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Forests provided a $620,000 grant to Forest Professionals BC to expand the role of forest professionals in reducing wildfire risk. The funding is helping strengthen professional standards, develop new training programs, and build a connected community of practitioners who share knowledge and stay current with the fast-changing realities of managing wildfire in forests. …If we want fewer catastrophic wildfire seasons, we need to empower the work guided by forest professionals: fund multi-year treatment programs, fast-track permits for well-designed prescribed burns, reward projects that show measurable risk reduction, and keep the work in the hands of people who are trained, tested, and accountable to the public.

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Opinion / EdiTOADial

Quebec moving ahead on land use planning while the BC ignores industry pleas

By Jim Stirling
The Logging and Sawmill Journal
October 28, 2025
Category: Opinion / EdiTOADial
Region: Canada

The province of Quebec is facing an issue its counterpart in British Columbia is resolutely ignoring. Quebec is trying—through legislation—to fairly rationalize land use planning on public lands in the province. It’s important because public lands occupy about 92% of Quebec’s surface area. The province has received a rough ride with its initial proposal, but is working toward a solution. The Quebec government introduced a bill into the legislature earlier this year proposing the creation of three priority land use zones for the province: a conservation zone, multi-purpose zone and a forest development zone. …Reactions to the bill… led to demonstrations and blockades of sawmill millyards. The government subsequently agreed to make amendments to the proposed bill with further First Nations consultation. The sides have been talking, at least, and moving however tentatively toward what will hopefully be an equitable compromise solution.

Imagine that happening in the wild west of BC. …Eby’s tactics during at least the last three years has largely been to ignore industry pleas to improve access to timber on public lands. That is despite forest companies and their dependant communities continuing to suffer as a result. An exception being the appointment of a panel to review BC Timber Sales. …The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) has consistently plugged away to keep the industry on the provincial government’s radar, despite its apparent indifference, adding: “The best way to support forest workers is to keep mills operating and people working.” …Most of COFI’s recommendations involve internal reorganization and co-operation and of course, a government willingness to make it happen. But nothing positive had happened by early September. Sections of the BC forest industry have already forged mutually beneficial working relationships with First Nations in the province. But more opportunities await with the parallel provincial government. 

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Business & Politics

Domtar Corporation
October 29, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States

FORT MILL, South Carolina and MONTRÉAL and RICHMOND, BC — Domtar is proud to celebrate its one-year anniversary of uniting under a single brand: Domtar – The Fiber for the Future. The year has been one of expansion, achievement and living Domtar’s new values. “Reflecting on the last 12 months, I’m deeply impressed by the extraordinary progress our teams have made,” said John Williams, Non-Executive Chairman, Management Board. “Their hard work and commitment have been essential to the success of this integration. While we can’t acknowledge every achievement today, it’s important to pause and recognize the milestones that define our first year as one company.” They include: Reaching a historic agreement with Tla’amin Nation…; Investing in Wisconsin and the Rothschild Dam…; Donating lands to the Nature Conservancy of Canada… ;Publishing our first unified sustainability report…; Expanding our network in point-of-sale receipt rolls… ; and Winning industry recognition.

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U.S. Senate votes 50-46 to nullify Trump tariffs on Canada, with four Republicans crossing aisle

By Steven Groves
The Associated Press in CTV News
October 29, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States

WASHINGTON — The US Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would nullify US tariffs on Canada, just as US President Trump is engaged in trade talks in Asia as well as an increasingly bitter trade spat with US’s northern neighbour. The 50-46 tally was the latest in a series of votes this week to terminate the national emergencies that Trump has used to impose tariffs. While the resolutions won’t ultimately take effect, they have proven to be an effective way for Democrats to expose cracks between the president’s trade policy and Republican senators who have traditionally supported free trade arguments. …The Senate passed a similar resolution applying to Brazilian tariffs on Tuesday. …Vice-President JD Vance visited Republicans during a closed-door luncheon this week and also argued that they should steer clear of trade policy while the president negotiates deals.

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Negotiators were taking ‘important steps’ before Trump halted talks, ambassador says

By Darren Major
CBC News
October 29, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States

Kirsten Hillman

Canada’s Ambassador to the US Kirsten Hillman told a Senate committee that negotiators were trying to ‘work out the contours of a first step’ for a trade arrangement before US President Trump abruptly ended trade discussions last week. Hillman was asked at the committee hearing where talks were headed before the sudden halt. While she indicated progress had been made since Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Washington earlier this month, she said some sticking points remained. “I don’t want to suggest that we were on the verge of an arrangement. But we had made more progress, in my opinion, in those weeks than we had in a very long time,” Hillman said. …“The US expressed the desire to start with a few issues and try to move those along, while not jettisoning the others,” Hillman said.

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Canadian forestry ‘could be a multi-billion dollar’ resource: Five takeaways on the future of the lumber industry

The Hub
October 28, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada

Derek Nighbor

Canada’s forestry sector, a long-time driver of investment and employment in Canada, is poised for a transformative comeback, according to Derek Nighbor, president and CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC). In a recent episode of Hub Dialogues, hosted by Sean Speer and presented in partnership with Forestry for the Future, Nighbor argued that the industry is shifting from a story of decline to one of innovation and growth, driven by new technologies, housing needs, and climate solutions. Here are five key takeaways from Nighbor’s vision for the future of Canadian forestry.

  1. Forestry is a high-tech, interconnected sector ready for innovation
  2. The industry will be a central player in solving the housing crisis
  3. Navigating trade turmoil while seeking new markets is key
  4. Forestry can be an economic and social anchor for rural and Indigenous communities
  5. Sustainable forestry is a nature-based climate solution

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Industry leaders say new U.S. tariffs ‘unfortunate’ and ‘uncalled for’

By Robin Della Corte
CTV News
October 26, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States

Industry leaders say they are disappointed with the additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods announced Saturday by US President Trump… over Ontario ad. Jean Simard of the Aluminum Association of Canada said that this announcement is “very unfortunate and uncalled for.” …“I don’t think it’s going to add anything to the situation that the U.S. will be facing moving into the fall season with prices that will be increased by these stacked up tariffs on everything that moves into the U.S.” A $75-million television ad from the Ontario government, featuring remarks by former US President Reagan on tariffs is what prompted Trump to announce he was ending trade discussions with Canada. …“We might see the same phenomenon that unfolded in the course of the months of July and August, where our metal started moving towards Europe instead of the U.S,” Simard said. 

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Programs to help advance your career in the lumber and sawmill sector

By Linh Tran
British Columbia Institute of Technology
October 30, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West

The BCIT School of Construction and the Environment offers two Associate Certificate programs designed to support workforce development in the North American lumber and sawmill sector: Industrial Wood Processing (IWP) and Business of Sawmilling (BOS). The programs were developed in collaboration with industry experts to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to advance their careers while meeting the evolving demands of the sector. Both programs are delivered online, on a part-time basis, and over 12 months. The programs are designed to allow working professionals to gain practical, job-relevant skills through formal education while balancing their workplace responsibilities. Registration is now open for IWP January 2026 intake.

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‘Starting to crumble’: Vancouver Island economic report is a warning

By Jessica Durling
Victoria News
October 29, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West

Vancouver Island’s economy is at a critical point and hard decisions need to be made to ensure long-term prosperity. This is according to Susan Mowbray, partner at MNP, who delivered the State of the Island economic report at the annual Vancouver Island Economic Alliance summit on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Nanaimo. …Mowbray had a mixed outlook of the Island’s major sectors, with forestry down year-over-year with an uncertain outlook, and the farmed salmon sector similarly uncertain. “Those resource sectors that have traditionally been the backbone in the economy are continuing to shrink, with weak market conditions, increases in softwood tariffs by the U.S. and just regulatory strangulation is hammering our forest industry.”

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Fire at pulp mill near Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan still smouldering after ‘immense’ blaze

By Halyna Mihalik
CBC News
October 28, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

SASKATCHEWAN — A massive pile of logs that caught fire Monday morning at the Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp yard was continuing to burn Tuesday, and fire crews say the blaze won’t stop anytime soon. “It’s actually probably going to burn for at least a week, maybe longer, just due to the amount of material burning,” Meadow Lake fire department Chief Joe Grela said. …“We’re probably talking about 100,000 cubic meters of logs here, so quite an immense material,” Grela said. The company that owns the mill, Domtar, said the destruction of the wood is a huge loss. …”It’s always unfortunate when something like this happens, but it’s particularly unfortunate at a difficult time for the sector across the country.” The mill’s wood room was shut down as firefighters kept an eye on the smouldering logs. The fire department said the rest of the mill was running as usual.

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B.C. gov’t invites feds to west coast to talk softwood lumber

Global News
October 28, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

The provincial government is calling on Ottawa to stand up for BC’s forestry sector. It’s inviting federal ministers to the table to discuss the challenges to industry is facing after being slapped with high tariffs from the US. 

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B.C. convening ‘softwood summit’ to address tariffs, industry struggles

By Rob Buffam
CTV News
October 28, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

Ravi Parmar

Growing concern in the forestry industry has triggered what’s being called an emergency meeting with federal ministers coming to Vancouver next week. BC. Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar announced the development on Tuesday. “We’re working out logistics right now for a softwood summit to be able to talk about this emerging issue,” said Parmar. “For us here in British Columbia, forestry is our auto sector, forestry is our steel sector.” The so-called summit is expected to include a demand for financial support from Ottawa. It will also involve industry players who are bracing for additional duties and tariffs on one of B.C.’s key exports. …Brian Menzies, with the Independent Wood Processors Association, welcomes the meeting in light of recent developments in the U.S. …BC. Conservative Leader John Rustad says the NDP’s red tape and slow permitting created a problem long before the latest tariffs.

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BC opens new forest trade office in London, England

By Ministry of Forests
Government of British Columbia
October 27, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

Efforts are underway to diversify and strengthen British Columbia’s forestry sector with a new office in London, England. The office will be a hub for BC’s forestry sector to expand its market share across Europe and the United Kingdom. “British Columbia is the second largest exporter of softwood lumber in the world, and with US President Trump’s continued attacks on our forestry workers and economy, we are not sitting idly by,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. BC’s Crown corporation, Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), will be expanding its presence to the U.K. to work with the forestry industry there, around Europe, and eventually, select markets in the Middle East and northern Africa, to grow BC’s forestry sector footprint internationally. This new office will give B.C.’s forestry sector a representative to help expand growing wood markets in the UK and Europe. …This is the newest FII office, joining offices in China, India and Vietnam, and industry-led offices in Japan and South Korea.

Related in

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Forestry faces 45% headwind, West Fraser’s Gorman warns

Resource Works
October 24, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

James Gorman

At the B.C. Business Summit 2025, James Gorman, Senior VP at West Fraser, offered a clear-eyed view of the challenges facing Canada’s forest sector and the policy choices that could restore its competitiveness. “We’ve been in a softwood lumber dispute with the US since 2016,” he said. …Gorman noted that only about 3% of total Canadian mill capacity is needed to serve the home market. “We’re therefore highly dependent on U.S. housing demand,” he said. “Flat markets can’t take these high duty rates, and the result is significant headwinds for Canadian producers.” Gorman said BC still has one of the world’s most robust forest resource bases. But the system that allocates and prices fibre needs reform. “First Nations are receiving more decision-making power, but not meaningful revenue sharing,” he said. “It should be 50–50. That would unlock fibre, create stability, and bring First Nations fully into the forestry economy.” 

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Sawmill, woodlands workers concerned for fate of local mill

By Matt Prokopchuk
Thunder Bay News Watch
October 27, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada East

EAR FALLS — Dozens of people, including forestry and mill workers and union and political officials rallied in support of the Ear Falls sawmill on Saturday. Katrina Peterson, the president of the Unifor union local that represents workers affected by the recent indefinite idling of the Interfor-owned facility, said said the forestry sector is in crisis right now, after duties and tariffs on softwood lumber levied by U.S. President Donald Trump have tripled in recent weeks, now sitting at a combined 45 per cent. She said there’s no new information about the expected length of the Ear Falls mill shutdown, only that it remains “indefinite.” Interfor officials have told Newswatch they’re evaluating the situation on a week-to-week basis. Domtar-owned sawmills in Atikokan and Ignace are also facing planned two-week idlings over the holidays in December and into the new year.

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Finance & Economics

Canadian Pacific profits leap despite U.S. tariff turmoil and looming merger prospect

By Christopher Reynolds
The Canadian Press in BNN Bloomberg
October 30, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada, United States

Canadian Pacific Kansas City reported a big profit boost in its latest quarter despite US tariff disruption and fears over fallout from a potential merger of rivals down the line. The railway saw net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30 rise 10% year-over-year to $917 million. Revenues increased three per cent to $3.66 billion on the back of higher shipping volumes. Grain, potash and container volumes rose markedly year-over-year while forest products — struggling under a sectoral tariff imposed by US President Trump — and energy, chemicals and plastics sagged. …Cross-border steel shipments also dropped due to 50% US tariffs on imports of the metal, though CPKC helped make up the decline with domestic traffic and direct Canada-to-Mexico trade, said chief marketing officer John Brooks. A new item of concern crossed the CEO’s desk over the summer. Union Pacific announced in July it wants to buy Norfolk Southern, and potentially trigger a final wave of rail mergers.

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Lumber Futures Drops to 7-Week Low

Trading Economics
October 28, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada, United States

Lumber futures tumbled toward $560 per thousand board feet, a seven-week low, as weakening demand, persistent oversupply, and trade-policy uncertainties converged. US tariffs are intensifying pressure on Canadian softwood, with existing antidumping and countervailing duties around 35%, plus new Section 232 levies of 10% on timber and 25% on wood products, lifting import costs above 45%. Weak demand compounds the decline, with US residential building permits at a seasonally adjusted 1.4 million units in July, the lowest since June 2020, and construction spending down 3.4% from May 2024. Housing starts remain near five-year lows, keeping retail price pass-through muted despite higher import costs. Export channels have narrowed, with Canadian softwood constrained by tariffs and hardwood exports to China dropping from 40% of volume in 2017 to 7% today. Temporary curtailments and mill closures are emerging, yet abundant inventories and sluggish construction sustain downward pressure. [END]

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Canada’s exports drop as tariffs weigh heavy on economy

By Anam Khan
CTV News
October 27, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada

US tariffs on key Canadian goods and weakening global demand triggered a sharp pullback in exports in the second quarter of 2025, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. Exports dropped 7.5% in Q2 after the US implemented tariffs on key Canadian goods like steel, aluminum, automobiles and other goods not compliant with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. “This was the largest quarterly decline since 2009, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period,” according to the report released Monday. The slump extended to manufacturing, wholesaling and employment, all of which posted declines or stalled growth. …The report states businesses which engage in cross-border trade with the U.S. are looking for mitigation strategies to deal with the tariff caused disruptions. …The report also states there was no net employment growth from February to August this year.

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Bank of Canada cuts interest rate to 2.25%, but signals this may be the end of easing

By Jordan Gowling
The Financial Post
October 29, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada

The Bank of Canada cut its interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, but signalled that it may end its easing cycle there if the economy operates in line with its latest forecast. …Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said, “If the economy evolves roughly in line with the outlook in our Monetary Policy Report, governing council sees the current policy rate at about the right level to keep inflation close to 2% while.” …The central bank presented its first baseline forecast since January after trade war uncertainty prompted policymakers to instead assess multiple potential scenarios. After a contraction in the second quarter, the bank expects weak growth for the remainder of 2025, with 0.5% annualized GDP growth in the third quarter and 1% growth in the last quarter of this year. It projects GDP growth of 1.1% in 2026 and 1.6& in 2027.

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What Lumber And Steel Futures Are Telling Flatbedders As We Wrap Up 2025

By Adam Wingfield
FreightWaves
October 27, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada, United States

Let’s keep this simple: lumber and steel are two of the biggest drivers of flatbed freight in this country. …So where are we right now, closing out 2025? Lumber futures are sliding off their highs and steel demand is soft with some pockets still running hot. That combination is sending a pretty clear message to flatbed haulers: expect mixed demand instead of broad “every lane is on fire” demand. Some regions will stay busy. Some will get quiet. …Lumber futures have fallen back into the $590–$610/mbf range, down double digits from that August spike, and recently touched the lowest levels in weeks. …There are two main reasons for that weakness: Housing affordability is still brutal. Inventory is sitting. So instead of steady flatbed freight — lumber from mill to yard, yard to jobsite, jobsite to next jobsite — you get pauses. …Lumber and steel tell the truth before the broader market does. 

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Which industry in each province is most threatened by tariffs?

By Matthew Robertson
CBC News
October 28, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada

Before US President Donald Trump terminated trade negotiations with Canada late Thursday night, premiers were clashing over which tariff-beleaguered industries should be prioritized. Here’s a breakdown of the industries most under threat by tariffs in each province:

  • British Columbia: Premier Eby made headlines when he suggested Canada is not prioritizing the lumber industry
  • Alberta: Oil and gas has escaped many of the harshest direct tariffs but it’s still impacted by US trade policy.
  • Saskatchewan: Chinese tariffs on Canadian agricultural products have caused concern about impacts on the economy.
  • Manitoba: Premier Wab Kinew also said his province is facing economic pressure from the Chinese tariffs.
  • Ontario: The province’s $11.6-billion vehicle manufacturing industry is facing threats as it is both deeply integrated with the U.S.
  • Quebec:Manufacturing is also a major industry in Quebec, accounting for 80% of the province’s exports.
  • New Brunswick: The lumber industry contributes approximately $15 billion annually to the province’s GDP.

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What 45% tariffs mean for B.C.’s forest sector

By Harry Nelson, Associate Professor
UBC News
October 29, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada, Canada West

Harry Nelson

Tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber have climbed to 45%. …UBC faculty of forestry associate professor Harry Nelson says this escalation pushes BC’s forestry sector into uncharted territory, threatening not just sawmills but also pulp and secondary manufacturing. …Yes—tariffs this high, combined with the aftermath of fires and beetle outbreaks, are an existential threat. Canada has already paid the U.S. about $10 billion in lumber duties, and we’re unlikely to recover much of that this time. …Do you expect more mill curtailments and closures? It’s hard to imagine we won’t. Companies are weighing whether to curtail, temporarily close or shut down entirely. …The wild card is demand, which continues to fall. If it drops further, the pressure on producers will intensify. …The sawmill sector will be hit hard, but so will contractors and the pulp and paper sector. 

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Acadian Timber reports Q3, 2025 net income of $2.9 million

Acadian Timber Corp.
October 29, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada, Canada East

EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Acadian Timber  reported financial and operating results1 for the three months ended September 27, 2025. Acadian generated sales of $23.0 million, compared to $26.0 million in the prior year period. …Operating costs and expenses decreased $2.0 million compared to the prior year period as a result of decreased timber sales volumes and timber services activity, partially offset by higher average operating costs and expenses per m3 produced in Maine as a result of a more fixed cost structure and lower production levels. Net income for the third quarter totaled $2.9 million compared to net income of $2.2 million in the same period of 2024, due to higher non-cash fair value adjustments and lower income tax expense, partially offset by lower operating income and higher interest expense. 

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Wood, Paper & Green Building

Oceanfront Squamish building nabs gold medal awards for excellence

By Will Johnson
The Squamish Chief
October 29, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada West

The Oceanfront Presentation Centre and Public House (PCPH) recently took home top honours at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association awards. The timber used comes with a narrative of where it grew, and where it was harvested. …And overall, it tells the story of a community, showcasing its cultural and spiritual ideals… Joe Geluch, president of North Vancouver-based Naikoon Contracting recieved the gold medal for excellence for the presentation centre and public house at the Oceanfront Squamish development, within Sp’akw’us Feather Park. …Also winning gold for the oceanfront building was the company Kalesnikoff, which is headquartered in the West Kootenays. Naikoon won in the general contractor category for projects up to $15 million, while Kalesnikoff won in the mass timber in manufacturers and suppliers category. The building was designed by Stephane Laroye Architect Inc. for developer Matthews West Ltd.

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‘This could be really iconic:’ Plans unveiled for 80K sq ft conference centre, hotel in Kelowna

By Cheyanna Lorraine
Kelowna Now
October 25, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada, Canada West

KELOWNA, BC — Local tech entrepreneur Al Hildebrandt has revealed ambitious plans for a new conference centre at the site of the New Life Church property along Highway 97. The project is meant to address the city’s shortage of large-scale event spaces. …The ambitious project proposes a 300-room hotel built with mass timber and two levels of conference facilities totalling 75,000 to 80,000 square feet of usable space. …Hildebrandt emphasized the project’s potential to attract national-level conferences, noting that Kelowna has not added significant conference space since the 1990s. The project was initially intended for condos before market shifts prompted a pivot. Hildebrandt is seeking private sector funding initially and plans to launch an impact feasibility study next month.

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Forestry

World Wildlife Fund Canada creates Catalyst Fund to accelerate nature restoration across Canada

By World Wildlife Fund Canada
Cision Newswire
October 30, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada

OTTAWA, ON – World Wildlife Fund Canada announced today the launch of the WWF-Canada Catalyst Fund, a $500,000 initiative designed to accelerate ecosystem restoration across the country and help Canada meet targets set in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and 2030 Nature Strategy. …the fund will support efforts by Indigenous Peoples, non-profits, businesses and all levels of government to expand or accelerate restoration of lost or degraded lands. The investment will specifically target small but effective restoration actions to support initiatives that are at the planning or implementation stage. …Funding will support large restoration projects of more than five hectares by encouraging actions such as better planning, the use of native plants and seeds, strengthened monitoring and maintenance protocols to ensure long-term success, or other innovative ideas. Ecosystem restoration can include activities such as replanting fire-damaged forests or stabilizing the banks of flood-ravaged rivers with native vegetation. 

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Forests Canada reaches 50 million tree milestone  

By Forests Canada
National Post
October 27, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada

Jess Kaknevicius & Rob Keen

Earlier this year, we reached a very special milestone – Forests Canada has proudly supported the planting of 50 million trees on more than 10,400 project sites across Canada. The collective environmental and economic impact of all those new and restored forests is an important part of our history, but we also know our work has only just begun.  …As we celebrate our 50 million tree milestone, we’re doing so together with the many people and organizations that also believe in our mission to conserve, restore, and grow Canada’s forests to sustain life and communities.  On behalf of all of us at Forests Canada, thank you to everyone who helped to make this possible. Together, we are growing something truly beautiful. 

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Women in Wood celebrates 10-year anniversary

By Women in Wood
Forests Canada
October 23, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada

Women in Wood – a network created to bring together passionate women from across Canada and around the world who work in, with and for the woods – celebrated its 10th anniversary with over 100 women from across the forest sector at an event at Fleming College on October 18. The event was highlighted by a panel featuring Women in Wood co-founders Jess Kaknevicius, CEO of Forests Canada, and Lacey Rose, Registered Professional Forester with County of Renfrew, along with Vanessa Nhan, Lead Forest Analyst at Silvacom, and Eleanor Reed, Forests Canada Field Advisor. The panel was moderated by Astrid Nielsen, owner of Dendron Forestry Services. “Being able to celebrate this milestone and connect with the next generation was uplifting and created a sense of hope,” Kaknevicius says.

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Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to vote on new traceability rules amid fraud allegations

By Philip Jacobson
Mongabay.com
October 26, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, United States, International

The world’s largest green timber label will vote next week on whether to begin work on new traceability rules, amid renewed scrutiny and accusations over whether the body is doing enough to prevent fraud within its supply chains. The Bonn-based Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) bills itself as “the world’s most trusted mark for sustainable forestry.” …But forestry experts and whistleblowers have alleged for years that the FSC lacks a proper control system, allowing bad actors to fraudulently pass off timber that was illegally or unsustainably logged as FSC-certified. Phil Guillery, who was the FSC’s integrity director from 2011-21, said in early October said that he believed “20-30% of claims in the system were false” during his tenure.” The FSC issued a swift rebuttal, calling them unsubstantiated and “based on outdated information that does not reflect the system today.” …However, a senior FSC official said that they believed the figure was actually an underestimate.

From FSC’s Statement on Recent Criticism: “References to widespread false FSC claims are based on outdated information that does not reflect the system today. …The article relies on a broad estimate of false claims without providing verified evidence to substantiate it.”

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Forest Stewardship Council General Assembly opens with a call for shared responsibility

Forest Stewardship Council International
October 27, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, United States, International

The 2025 FSC General Assembly opened on 26 October in Panama City, uniting members from around the world for joint decision-making on the future of forest stewardship. …Panama’s Minister of Environment, His Excellency Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro, announced the country’s plan to formalize FSC certification across Indigenous territories, a milestone in national environmental policy. 174,000 hectares are in process of being certified today in Panama. “Stop blaming the FSC,” he stated. “Each of us must in our own countries guarantee sustainable development and guarantee with our actions, our strength and our passion, the survival of life around us.” FSC Board Chair Stuart Valentine provided a business report from the Board, reflecting on FSC’s new leadership, governance and strategic priorities, and what is coming in the future – including a new Global Strategy, revision of FSC’s Principles and Criteria, incorporation of risk-based approaches, and increased demonstration of FSC’s impact.  

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Reconfigure forestry to keep North Island resilient

Letter by Wendy McNiven
Comox Valley Record
October 29, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

In response to the article, “North Island ‘one mill closure’ away from collapse. Campbell River Mayor”: The “harvests” in recent years have declined in part due to over-cutting of existing forests. Jobs available in the logging industry has shrunk in part due to mechanization, where one person with a big machine can do the work of several people before the feller-buncher was brought in. Blame is put on the permitting processes of various levels of government being labelled as prioritizing “ideology over common sense”… The implication is that going through environmental assessments before cutting is a complete waste of time. It is disturbing to hear of our trees referred to as “fibre” – as if their sole value is in whatever can be turned into… The Boundary Forest Watershed Stewardship Society proposal, “New Forest Act: Protecting Communities and Nature” offers ideas on how to reconfigure forestry in BC for long-term gain.

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Halalt First Nation shocked by N. Cowichan decision to make harvesting public forests a priority

Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle
October 28, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

…Chief James Thomas said in a letter to council that the Halalt community is concerned that North Cowichan made that decision in August considering the efforts of the municipality and the First Nation to establish a co-management framework for the 5,000-hectare MFR, and in light of the significant concerns Halalt members have raised regarding the impacts of forest operations in the Chemainus watershed.  …Thomas said the MFR is located within the Halalt’s unceded territory and the land is essential to the First Nation’s life and culture, and this includes the forests within the MFR and the surrounding landscape.  …Speaking for the majority of council, Coun. Bruce Findlay argued that North Cowichan could make some much-needed money if the sustainable harvesting of the natural resource resumed.

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British Columbia’s Community Forests have growing appeal

By Jim Stirling
The Logging and Sawmill Journal
October 28, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

QUESNEL, BC — Given what’s going on around the world, it’s easy to understand why more areas in BC are taking a closer look at the Community Forest form of log harvesting tenure. It returns the management and responsibility for small, designated areas of forest land back into the hands of appointed people who live, work and care about them. Some control of what happens to and on the forest land in their own back yard has a growing appeal to its residents. …A community forest attempts to better accommodate other land users. …Co-operating with others as one cohesive unit becomes the catalyst for achieving dynamic, site specific land use solutions. It’s challenging but exciting work. It requires administering a cocktail of flexibility and responsiveness. Nick Pickles understands all that. It’s part of the appeal to being manager of the Three Rivers Community Forest based in the Cariboo region. 

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North Cowichan mayor wants answers on timber harvesting

The Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle
October 27, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas has, again, sent a letter to Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar asking the province to help increase the amount of timber that the municipality’s saw and pulp mills have access to. Douglas said that three tree-farm licenses held by Western Forest Products supply much of the timber and fibre for local mills. He said that improving access to timber in these areas could help stabilize mill operations and reduce the impact of challenging market conditions and trade pressures. Douglas said Parmar’s mandate is to ensure a sustainable land base to enable the harvest of 45-million cubic metres of timber while the province is on track to harvest only 29-million cm this year. …The Domtar pulp mill in Crofton, along with Western Forest Products’ sawmills and remanufacturing plant in Chemainus and Cowichan Bay, collectively employ more than 670 workers and generate $7.7 million per year in property taxes for North Cowichan.

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BC Truck Loggers Association: Statement on the Provincial Forest Advisory Council’s Interim Status Report

BC Truck Loggers Association
October 27, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

The TLA commends the Provincial Forest Advisory Council (PFAC) for its ongoing work to develop a long-term vision for BC’s forest sector, and release of its interim status report. …the TLA recognizes the significant effort that has gone into identifying the underlying issues, barriers, and key drivers influencing the …sector. …The … interim report acknowledges several critical issues that must be addressed if BC is to fully realize the potential of its forest sector, including: 

  • The lack of access to economic fibre is stifling investment, including the transition to value-added manufacturing. 
  • Current systems and structures are adding unnecessary costs and processes that are barriers to investment and innovation. 
  • The lack of cross-ministry coordination and fragmented mandates appear to be preventing action towards a coordinated set of goals.   
  • A rule-based, top-down-driven approach that can be costly, inefficient, and ineffective in achieving land management objectives. 
  • The need for better data and forest inventories. 

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Streamlined regulations help BC businesses grow, improve services

By Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth
Government of British Columbia
October 27, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

The Province is making 187 amendments to 38 regulations across 10 ministries to reduce red tape, improve permitting timelines and make government services more efficient and accessible. This work is part of Better Regulations for British Columbians (BR4BC) amendment package… This year’s focus is on expediting permitting and approval timelines for people and businesses in British Columbia. By streamlining approval processes, such as removing construction permit requirements for very small private water systems, simplifying the level of authority needed for special-use forestry permits, and eliminating outdated provisions related to soil relocation and open burning activities, the Province is making it easier to do business in B.C.

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Provincial Forest Advisory Council Releases Interim Status Report, Launches Phase 2 Engagement

Provincial Forest Advisory Council
October 24, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

Shannon Janzen

Garry Merkel

The Provincial Forest Advisory Council is dedicated to developing independent recommendations for a new, stable forest system that supports resilient communities, economies, and ecosystems across British Columbia. The council has completed its interim report which analyzed core challenges, recurring barriers, and persistent structural issues within BC’s forest sector. The interim report was provided to the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025 (CARGA) sponsors: CARGA Sponsors – Honourable Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests & MLA Rob Botterell, BC Green Caucus. It is clear to the Council that BC’s land management systems, processes, policy, and legislation were not built for our current reality and are not designed to achieve all three components of our objective in unison. Instead, we appear stuck in a forestry model that:  

  • Favours quota-based wood extraction ahead of land management,
  • Drives indecision, red tape and favours a drawn-out, and sometimes confusing, process versus definitive and reliable outcomes, and
  • Is unresponsive to changing circumstances, fostering conflict as opposed to collaboration and innovation. 

So, how do we get unstuck?  

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First Nation files lawsuit demanding Aboriginal title over lands in western Quebec

Canadian Press in CTV News Montreal
October 29, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada East

An Algonquin First Nation has filed a title claim in Quebec Superior Court over large swaths of territory across the west of the province in an effort to address what it described as historic injustices against its peoples. Jean-Guy Whiteduck, chief of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, says his people need to have a say in the way water, wildlife and forestry are managed in their traditional territory. He said that meaningful reconciliation can’t exist until that happens. …Whiteduck says the lawsuit only covers areas that are owned or managed by governments… The Aboriginal title claim covers … just over 8,000 square kilometres of land. …Lawyer, Jullian Riddel, said the case has the potential to set a major precedent, making Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg the first Indigenous community in the province to see its title over its traditional territories recognized by the court. …He said so far only four First Nations, all in British Columbia, have reached that milestone.

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New Democrat Guy Bourgouin believes province needs long term northern forestry strategy

By Denis Puska
My Timmins Now
October 27, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada East

Guy Bourgouin

The MPP for Mushkegowuk James Bay believes the province must be more proactive instead of reactive when it comes to the northern forestry industry. New Democrat Guy Bourgouin questions whether more mills like Kap Paper could face either closure or curtailment in operations before a long-term plan is developed. He adds one area he would like to see addressed is an extension of power and co-generation agreements beyond five years. …Bourgouin says the NDP continues to push for a forestry strategy that includes investments in modernization, better coordination across various ministries and work centered transition support and training programs. Bourgouin notes that there are numerous one-industry towns that rely on the forestry industry for survival.

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Health & Safety

1,400 annual deaths linked to wildfire smoke in Canada: climate and health report

By Jordan Omstead
The Canadian Press in Times Colonist
October 28, 2025
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada

A new global health report suggests that every year from 2020 to 2024 about 1,400 deaths in Canada were associated with wildfire smoke pollution as climate change takes an increasing toll on the country’s health. The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change, compiled by more than 100 experts worldwide, is considered one of the most comprehensive looks at the subject. Between 2020 and 2024, the report found the wildfire smoke pollution in Canada had increased on average by 172 per cent compared to what it had been between 2003 and 2012. …The report’s findings suggest heat exposure last year resulted in the loss of more than 40 million potential labour hours, 136 per cent more than average in the 1990s. That’s an estimated $1.4 billion in lost income. …The report suggests access to affordable, off-grid, renewable electricity is “essential to tackle the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and reduce climate risk.”

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