The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is highlighting two programs designed to strengthen workforce skills in wood products manufacturing and mass timber construction. BCIT’s Associate Certificate in Industrial Wood Processing, launched in 2018, provides flexible technical training for sawmill employees, focusing on production efficiency, quality and safety. Its success led to the introduction of the Associate Certificate in Business of Sawmilling in 2021, providing an additional pathway for leadership development. Meanwhile, BCIT’s Associate Certificate in Construction of Mass Timber Structures prepares experienced trades professionals for the specialized demands of mass timber construction. The six-month, part-time program combines online learning with a two-week hands-on practicum, where students assemble a full-scale, two-storey mass timber structure. Applications are currently being accepted for the January 2027 intake. Click the links in this story to visit program pages.
Canada and the U.S. have spoken “within the past few days,” in an effort to work towards a mutually beneficial trade deal, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC on Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney speak regularly. However, he declined to share a timeline on negotiations, saying “the substance of the deal is more important than a timeline.” Greer’s comments follow recent predictions from U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra that a trade deal could be reached before the end of 2026. Greer said though Canada “would love to go back to how things used to be, where there’s just unfettered free trade between our two countries,” the U.S. is working on a deal to protect the country’s supply chains. “But we certainly are working on it,” he confirmed.
Canada needs to build more homes faster and more affordably. That means building homes of all types and sizes, from apartments to multiplexes and townhomes to detached single-family homes and creating the conditions for Canadian companies and workers to help deliver them. Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and Canadian Wood Council (CWC) have joined the 
The US government has urged the Court of International Trade to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Canfor Corporation, Canadian Forest Products and Canfor Wood Products Marketing challenging softwood lumber liquidation instructions. According to Trade Law Daily, the government argued in a November 9 motion that the companies failed to exhaust available administrative remedies before filing suit. The case is Canfor Corporation et al. v. United States (CIT #26-03123). [the access the full story a Trade Law Daily subscription is required]
OTTAWA — Forestry industry leaders say Ottawa’s historic $6.5-billion funding package will give the sector a much-needed boost but won’t save struggling mills overnight. The federal government’s spending plan announced last week proposes to roll out funding over six years to help modernize aging mills, boost productivity and develop new products. But the money isn’t expected to start flowing until 2027-28, even as U.S. tariffs, weak markets and rising costs continue to threaten jobs and operations across the country. Derek Nighbor, president and chief executive of the Forest Products Association of Canada, called the $6.5-billion commitment “precedent setting.” But he warned that 2027 will likely be another difficult year for the industry as housing starts remain weak and U.S. tariffs persist. The forestry sector has been battered by years of mill closures and layoffs. …Ken Farr, president of the Canadian Institute of Forestry, said he worries the funding may come too late to help some struggling mills.
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) has announced two leadership appointments following the retirement of Vaughan Bassett, who has stepped down as president and director. Gregg Koehler of Sinclar Group/Premium Pellet has been elected president by WPAC’s board of directors, while Yasuhisa (Yasu) Okamoto of Drax has been appointed as a Class A director. … Koehler has been with Sinclar Group since 2002, holding progressively senior positions. He currently serves as sales manager for Sinclar Group Forest Products and sales director of Premium Pellet. A longstanding WPAC director, Koehler brings extensive experience in forest products and wood pellet markets, along with a strong understanding of the association and its priorities. Okamoto is managing director of Drax Asia Japan, where he leads business development and the company’s Tokyo office. He established Sumitomo Corporation’s biomass business in 2002 and played a significant role in developing Japan’s wood pellet market. 
We are excited to announce that registration for the 17th Annual Global Softwood Log & Lumber Conference is officially open! Join us on May 26–27, 2027, at The Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, for this premier industry event. Bringing together industry leaders and professionals from around the world, the conference will provide an excellent opportunity to explore the latest trends and developments in the global softwood log and lumber market, gain valuable industry insights, and connect with key players across the sector. Take advantage of our Early Bird Registration Rates! Secure your spot today! Register now!
The countdown is on! Join us January 13–15, 2027, at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver as we bring B.C.’s forestry industry together for three days of important conversations, valuable connections and exciting events and special guests! Under this year’s theme, Working Forests. Working BC., the convention will bring together industry leaders, contractors, suppliers, government representatives and forestry professionals to discuss the challenges, opportunities and future of our sector. Your all-inclusive convention pass gives TLA members and non-members access to all convention sessions and events. Individual tickets for Suppliers’ Night, Loggers’ Casino Night and Lunch on the Trade Show Floor are also available for purchase. Don’t Wait – Early Bird Pricing Ends Tomorrow, November 13! Register before the deadline to save $100 on your convention pass. Accommodation at the Westin Bayshore can also be booked through the registration link. We look forward to seeing you in Vancouver!
A piece of Tolko’s former mill site in Kelowna’s North End has been expropriated by FortisBC, and Tolko is unhappy with the compensation they received. Tolko Industries filed a notice of civil claim against FortisBC, alleging the $7.41 million the utility handed over for a two-acre parcel of land wasn’t enough. Fortis plans to construct a new electrical substation at the site. The long-running Tolko mill 
The federal budget handed down on Thursday includes funding pledges that are expected to benefit British Columbia. Here’s a look at some of them. The budget is proposing $6.5 billion in funding to support the forestry sector nationally over six years. It doesn’t provide a province-by-province breakdown, although it points out that B.C. accounts for 29% of the national forest sector’s GDP, representing the biggest share in Canada. There’s $4 billion for a new “forestry sector accelerator” to make investments in large facilities and major transformations of existing facilities, “including biorefineries, biofuel facilities, and other facilities producing higher-value and innovative forest products.” A further $2 billion is to help businesses in the forest sector modernize and expand, while $500 million goes towards strengthening fibre supply chains and supporting forest management. …The budget announces a $64-million loan guarantee to support the Tla’amin Nation acquiring 100% ownership of Western Forest Products’ Stillwater Forest Operation.
NEWFOUNDLAND — About 100 Sexton Lumber employees have been laid off following a fire that shut down the Bloomfield sawmill nearly two weeks ago, according to owner Kevin Sexton. The Newfoundland and Labrador Forestry Industry Association announced that the province’s biggest sawmill was shut down until further notice. Sexton hopes repairs will be completed in about three weeks. He said the fire occurred on Oct. 29 in the facility’s boiler room while wood was drying out. A worker was going through his nightly routine when he noticed smoke bellowing out of the exhaust fans. …The forestry industry association said one employee was injured while helping firefighters get to the scene, but is recovering well. An investigation into the fire is underway.
NEW YORK — Mercer announced that it has commenced the next phase of its previously announced comprehensive recapitalization pursuant to a restructuring support agreement. …To effectuate the transactions contemplated, Mercer and one non-operating subsidiary have commenced voluntary Chapter 11 prepackaged cases under the United States Bankruptcy Code and filed a plan of reorganization in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Mercer’s operating subsidiaries have not commenced, and will not be parties to, the Chapter 11 Cases, and will continue to operate their businesses as usual and in the ordinary course. …Mercer expects to complete the Recapitalization by the end of calendar year 2026. Upon emergence from the process, Mercer expects to reduce its existing senior note debt by approximately 88% and eliminate more than $100 million of annual cash interest payments. 
Canada’s largest banks and developers are urging Ottawa to help first-time homebuyers with their down payments, relax 
Interfor Corporation reported today its third quarter of 2026 results. Highlights include: Adjusted EBITDA was $76.9 million on sales of $832.1 million in Q3’26 versus Adjusted EBITDA of $92.3 million on sales of $804.4 million in Q2’26 and an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $183.8 million on sales of $689.3 million in Q3’25. Interfor recorded a net loss in Q3’26 of $45.6 million, compared to net earnings of $1.0 million, and a net loss of $215.8 million in Q3’25. The net loss in Q3’26 was driven in large part by a non-cash impairment charge of $53.2 million related to a previously curtailed mill in Eastern Canada. …The Company generated $61.4 million of positive cash flow from operations after working capital changes in Q3’26 and available liquidity increased to $462.4 million at September 30, 2026. The Company has generated positive cash flow from operations in each quarter of 2026.
VANCOUVER, BC — Conifex Timber reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026. EBITDA was negative $5.7 million for the quarter compared to EBITDA of negative $6.3 million in the second quarter of 2026 and negative EBITDA of $16.6 million in the third quarter of 2025. Net loss was $7.9 million for the quarter versus a net loss of $9.5 million in the previous quarter and a net loss of $16.6 million in the third quarter of 2025. …The Mackenzie Mill remained curtailed throughout the third quarter of 2026 and, as a result, we did not produce any lumber in the quarter, compared to 14.1 million board feet produced in the previous quarter. …As we did not generate electricity in the third quarter of 2026, revenues from our bioenergy operations were nil in the quarter, compared to $2.8 million in the previous quarter.
VANCOUVER, BC – Western Forest Products announced it third quarter 2026 results. Revenue for the period was $237 million compared to revenue in Q3, 2025 of $233 million, and Q2, 2026 of $240 million. The company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2026, as compared to negative $66 minion in the same period last year. …Net loss was $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2026, as compared to a net loss of $61.3 million for the same period last year. Results in the third quarter of 2026 benefitted from higher realized lumber prices, higher log shipments and the gain on the sale of our CVD sawmill site, partially offset by lower lumber shipments compared to the same period last year. Results in the third quarter of 2025 were negatively impacted by the finalization of the sixth AR.
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB) has launched 
Curved glued-laminated (glulam) timber beams have been used in practice as structural components in roof systems and bridges, capitalizing on the architectural freedom of using wood as a building material. Despite their use in practice, there is limited experimental data on the structural behavior of curved glulam beams, both during fabrication and at their ultimate limit state. …Results of the study demonstrate that a complex state of strain, and thus stress, exists in a curved glulam beam after fabrication through mechanical bending of the laminations. Under structural loading, the studied beams exhibited a range of failure modes, which depended on the beam radius, including flexural failure in tension, shear failure, and radial tension failure. The experimental results are also compared with North American wood design standards, and the results suggest that these standards can predict the strength of the curved glulam beams tested in this study to within 5% of their ultimate load-carrying capacity.
BELLEVUE, Alberta — Approximately 75 people gathered in Bellevue on Nov. 4 to discuss planned logging around Allison Creek in Crowsnest Pass. …Colin Smith, founder of the Land Lovers Network said the organization is concerned about the effects of forestry activity on water, wildlife, recreation, wildfire resilience and the local economy. …West Fraser’s 2026 planning documents schedule the Allison Creek work for the 2026-27 operating season. The company’s map identifies planned cutblocks, retention areas, roads and a bridge crossing at Allison Creek. …West Fraser commissioned an independent hydrological review of the Allison Creek plan. The company said the review concluded the harvest could proceed while maintaining hydrological values. …Alberta Forestry and Parks previously said the Allison Creek harvest was approved under the current forest management plan. A second Crowsnest Pass meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Polish Hall in Coleman. 
CLINTON, BC — Highways, rail lines and homes around Clinton and the southern Cariboo face elevated risks of flooding and debris flows following the massive Pear Lake wildfire, according to a new provincial assessment. The preliminary Ministry of Forests report identifies several areas with high to very high risk ratings, including portions of Highway 97, Pavilion-Clinton Road, CN railway infrastructure and private properties in watersheds affected by the fire. A more detailed assessment identifying properties that may be at risk is expected in December. The Pear Lake wildfire, B.C.’s largest of 2026, burned nearly 166,000 hectares north of Cache Creek, triggering widespread evacuations across the southern Cariboo and causing extensive damage in the Clinton area. The preliminary Post-Wildfire Natural Hazard Risk Analysis found much of the fire area experienced moderate to high burn severity, increasing the potential for runoff, flooding and debris flows. The f
For more than six weeks now, an Alberta group has been protesting the planned harvesting by a forestry company in the Crowsnest Pass. Defenders of the Eastern Slopes members are against the accelerated harvesting by West Fraser of about 460 hectares of forest in the Allison Creek area, in southwest Alberta. While the group says Crowsnest Pass residents deserve meaningful protection from wildfire, members question whether the proposed harvest is the right treatment, in the right place and at the right scale. …West Fraser got a temporary injunction, and, with a police presence, moved the bridge, which the company is placing across Allison Creek to access a logging area. The court injunction allows West Fraser to do its work, and Smith says the group has no intention of impeding the company. …West Fraser said its planned harvesting follows the direction of the Alberta government’s Hazardous Fuels Reduction program.
TORONTO – Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative launched the Canada Forest Innovation & Renewable Markets (FIRM) Challenge, a new national awards program for forest regions seeking new industry. Fifteen regions will each receive a fully funded Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone Rating, worth approximately $150,000, and be actively connected with hundreds of global project developers through a new national Markets Acceleration Centre, with the goal of generating more than $1 billion in new plant announcements in less than two years. …The Challenge is a direct response to the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s call to support new markets for Canada’s wood products. It also launches the BDO Zone Markets Acceleration Centre (BDO-MAC), the network’s market-development arm. BDO-MAC will connect rated Canadian regions directly with bioeconomy developers around the world. The intent is to give Canada’s forest regions a high profile with the developers most likely to build new plants.
For years now, Indigenous nations in Canada have participated directly in carbon markets through 
