For years, three Greater Victoria men have been locked in the ultimate game of hide-and-seek with its most celebrated player and current reigning champion: Sasquatch. …Inspired by some of North America’s most renowned Sasquatch researchers – including Comox Valley’s John Bindernagel and Canadian journalist John Green – and driven by their own deep-seated fascination, the trio founded the Vancouver Island Sasquatch Society in 2018. Dedicated to rigorous fieldwork and evidence collection, the citizen science group aims to move the Sasquatch conversation from myth toward fact. …Dave Hill and Stephen Gray have both worked for the Canadian Forest Service, experience that helps them assess if a woodland area could realistically support a large, primate-like beast. …Alex Solunac, a senior media analyst at the University of Victoria, has been involved in Sasquatch research since the ’80s. …It was a similar story for gorillas, the threesome notes. The species was widely considered a mythical creature by European explorers until the mid-19th century, when an American named Thomas Savage found gorilla bones in Liberia.
WASHINGTON — Every day more than $4 billion worth of goods cross the United States’ borders with Canada and Mexico. …Much of this bustling cross-border commerce is duty-free, thanks to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, that President Trump negotiated with America’s northern and southern neighbors during his first term. But the future of the USMCA , which took effect July 1, 2020, is cloudy as the three countries begin what could be a tempestuous attempt to renew the pact this year. The United States is demanding changes to the treaty. …Trump also suggested last fall that the United States could negotiate separate deals with Canada and Mexico, ending the three-country North American bloc that previous administrations saw as crucial to competing economically with China and the European Union. The talks kick off Monday between US and Mexican trade officials. …At stake is $1.6 trillion worth of annual trade in goods.
Richard Eaton, senior judge on the US Court of International Trade, has extended the US administration’s deadline for refunding about US$166 billion in tariffs. Eaton had orginally ordered US Customs and Border Protection to begin the refunding process at the start of the month after the US Supreme Court struck down global tariffs set by president Trump. …The administration has been inundated with lawsuits from companies like Costco, FedEx, and Pandora Jewelry – all looking to get their money back since Eaton’s order meant that everyone who had paid tariffs was entitled to a refund. Barnes, Richardson & Colburn partner Larry Friedman said that the order was one he had hoped for, “but never expected to see.” A US Customs and Border Protection official indicated in a legal filing that its system could not handle the volume of work.
Related coverage:
- WoodWorking Network: Court provides hope for speedy recovery of tariff refund
- The National Law Review: What every company should know about the ITC order
- By Thomson Hine LLP: CIT Suspends Earlier Order Directing IEEPA Tariff Refunds
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario announced an investment of up to $94.5 million over five years through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP). This investment will produce consistent, foundational labour market information (LMI) across key sectors, providing the information needed to help better coordinate the supply and demand of skilled labour while supporting a stronger economy. Through this initiative, 14 organizations will develop a range of informational products and employer toolkits to help workers and businesses adapt to current labour market challenges. The investment will support organizations in key sectors, including construction, trucking, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, tourism, forestry, agriculture, mining, energy, information and communications technology, the environment, and the bio-economy. 
Northern BC communities know better than most how closely their fortunes are tied to major industry. Mills, mines and power generation facilities are more than workplaces — they’re economic anchors… When an industrial business shuts down, it stops paying most of its share of property taxes. This means …the rest of their community must now share more of the tax burden. That’s why a push to revise or eliminate the closure allowance in the BC Assessment Act deserves strong backing from municipalities across northern BC — 
Alberta — Are you passionate about forestry education and inspiring the next generation? Looking for work that’s anything but a desk job — flexible, dynamic, and always evolving. You just found your next opportunity. Work Wild, a program within the Alberta Forest Products Association, reaches out to people who are making one of the most important choices in their lives — finding a career they love! We are looking for an engaging, people-orientated individual to join our Work Wild team in the role of Southern Alberta Forestry Educator. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Forestry Educator implements Work Wild program objectives, which include educating Albertans on forest sector practices as well as career opportunities in Alberta’s forest industry. The Forestry Educator will spend much of their time traveling to communities throughout southern Alberta engaging middle and high school students, educators, and job seekers about the variety of rewarding opportunities in Alberta’s forest sector.
NANAIMO, BC — Snuneymuxw First Nation is calling for a temporary closure and environmental investigation of a hazardous waste services company following a January oil spill on Duke Point near Nanaimo, BC. City of Nanaimo staff were informed of oily residue near a storm drain close to the Duke Point Ferry Terminal on Jan. 5. Staff said the spill originated from a business in the nearby industrial park, and a BC Ministry of Environment spokesperson said there was an estimated 350 to 1,600 litres of oil sheen on the water between Duke Point and Mudge Island. …The First Nation, along with a Feb. 19 statement from the Ministry of Environment, said the industrial park business Environmental 360 Solutions was responsible for the spill. …Snuneymuxw Chief Michael Wyse Feb. 6 urged governments to take action to address polluting activities in their territory.b…Western Forest Products said the company has implemented multiple measures to manage “wood and wood particle water discharge.”.png)
Federal help is being called on to assist laid-off workers at the curtailed Chemainus sawmill to access Employment Insurance benefits. Brian Butler, president of United Steelworkers Local 1-1937, which represents workers at the mill, Jennifer Foster, senior vice president of human resources at Western Forest Products, which owns the mill, and North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas recently sent a letter to Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu on the issue. “We write to you as representatives of labour, industry, and local government to request urgent federal intervention to address barriers that prevent Chemainus sawmill workers from accessing the full range of Employment Insurance supports available to them,” the letter said. …They pointed said that the workers are not facing a short-term layoff. “They have been formally advised that there will be no return to work this year, yet many are now being told their Employment Insurance benefits will soon expire,” their letter said.
STURGEON COUNTY, AB — Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment of over $4.4 million for ten projects that will strengthen the forest sector in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. These projects will advance manufacturing and processing, diversify Canada’s forest products and their export markets and support First Nation and Métis groups and forestry businesses. Among the projects funded, Western Archrib Enterprises Ltd. is receiving $2.3 million through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program to commission a 160,000-square-foot mass timber plant in Sturgeon County, Alberta. The facility represents a total capital investment of over $80 million and will transform Western Archrib’s operations to a fully automated manufacturing line, increasing production capacity from 12 million to 30–35 million board feet annually. This investment will strengthen Alberta’s supply chain for advanced wood-based building material, such as mass timber panels, which directly support the construction industry and housing supply.
OTTAWA — The federal government is being accused of creating an uneven playing field in Canada’s shipping industry, and critics claim the Prime Minister’s Office is unwilling to rectify it. Later this spring, Ottawa is expected to launch a federal subsidy program to help reduce the cost of shipping lumber and steel between provinces by 50%. But the subsidies — promised by Carney back in November — will only go to rail companies. “We support this initiative to give a boost to those Canadian industries. But what we were asking was for parity because many destinations and commodities, only maritime transport can handle that,” said Etienne Duchesne, business development project manager at Desgagnés, a maritime shipping company based in Quebec. …In the House of Commons last week, Bloc Québécois MP Claude DeBellefeuille said the government was creating “unfair competition between rail transportation and marine transportation,” putting jobs and supply chains at risk.
Canada’s housing agency says the country made “meaningful” supply gains last year thanks to record rental construction and more “missing middle” type housing, however short-term imbalances remain for several markets. Housing construction rose 6% year-over-year in 2025 to 259,000 units, with activity exceeding the 10-year average across most major markets, according to CMHC’s spring housing supply report. …Rentals drove overall new housing supply in Canada last year, with the number of rental units under construction nearly doubling the 10-year average. …The trend led to increased vacancy rates and slower rent price rises compared with recent years. The report also highlighted the growth of “missing middle” housing — a term referring to gentle-to-medium density types such as accessory suites, multiplexes, row homes, stacked townhouses and low-rise apartments, which have often been under-represented in new supply. …Despite some encouraging trends, particularly for the rental market, housing construction for the home ownership market weakened overall.
OTTAWA–Housing starts in Canada are set to decline over the next three years due to higher construction costs, weaker demand and elevated levels of unsold inventory, the country’s housing agency said Wednesday. The outlook from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. represents another setback for the country’s residential real-estate sector, where prices and sales have declined following a prolonged period of strength fueled by immigration. It’s also a sign that, unlike in the recent past, housing-market activity won’t help propel the Canadian economy into a higher gear. Canada’s economy is struggling with slow growth, with manufacturers under duress from hefty U.S. tariffs. Furthermore, firms are scaling back spending and hiring plans as the future of a North American trade treaty is in doubt. CMHC said in a report that it expects housing starts to drop during the 2026-to-2028 period. [
VANCOUVER, BC – Canfor Pulp Products announced that at the special meeting of the holders of common shares in the capital of the Company held earlier, the Shareholders voted in favour of approving the special resolution authorizing the previously announced arrangement whereby Canfor Corporation will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares that it and its affiliates do not already own by way of a statutory plan of arrangement. …The Arrangement was approved by 96.02% of the Shareholders and 84.42% of the Shareholders excluding any votes of the Purchaser and its affiliates and any other Shareholders whose votes were required to be excluded. …Assuming that all remaining approvals are obtained and all other remaining conditions precedent to the completion of the Arrangement are satisfied or waived, the Company anticipates that the Arrangement will be completed on or about March 17, 2026.
As mass timber construction continues to build momentum, critical lessons learned on jobsites are emerging to ensure successful project outcomes. The aesthetics and many benefits of mass timber are well known, but bringing these projects to life involves significant technical and logistical challenges. Common issues that need careful consideration include moisture management, lack of experience, site logistics, safety and more. “The single most important time in any mass timber project – and where most mistakes are made – is early involvement,” said Scott Comfort, president of Seagate Mass Timber who was a speaker at Buildex Vancouver. “You can never talk about mass timber too early in your project. Always have an engineer lifting and bracing plan in place – absolutely critical for the safety of the job and for it to do well.” …To help the industry with moisture management, best practices are being explored by the Canadian Wood Council and FPInnovations.
Leveraging locally made forest products supports local jobs, efficient builds, and community resilience. …Forestry is more than just an industry; it is the lifeblood of some 300 Canadian communities. In the face of trade and market headwinds, some forest-dependent communities across the country are experiencing a worrying trend: the hollowing out of their economic base. Recent trade and market impacts on forestry have reduced production or closed mills, eliminated jobs, and reduced municipal revenues. With new challenges bring new opportunity – to take action on what we control. To streamline regulations to make our industries more competitive, diversify export markets, and do more here at home with Canadian grown and made products. Municipalities across the country can be part of the solution to help improve prospects for the forestry sector and its employees. Municipalities have the power to choose Canadian wood and wood fibre-based products in local projects.
The Carney government’s strategy to protect nature is expected to be released in the coming weeks — and some nature advocacy groups worry it won’t come with any new funding. Billions of federal dollars earmarked for conservation are set to expire at the end of March. If they aren’t renewed, the groups say Canada will not meet its 2030 targets. …national nature groups have been sounding the alarm that previous investments in biodiversity projects are in jeopardy, [saying] they haven’t received any assurances that long-term funding would be extended. …Funding for projects meant to halt and reverse species loss is set to soon expire. The enhanced nature legacy program earmarked $2.3 billion over five years, ending March 31. As 
The Rainbow, Jordan and Frisby valleys in British Columbia’s rare inland temperate rainforest are home to endangered species and ancient trees. Two logging companies hold licences to log in the old-growth valleys, while the government agency BC Timber Sales has operating areas there. A 2019 proposal to permanently protect 10,500 hectares in the three valleys as a provincial park has gained renewed interest as Revelstoke city council announced in February that it supports increased conservation of the critically endangered inland temperate rainforest.
The City of Revelstoke and the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District have passed motions formalizing their intention to push the provincial government to protect an old-growth forest. The proposed Rainbow-Jordan park would stretch 11,000 hectares… Until now, the forest has been spared from logging because the area is difficult to access… But David Brooks-Hill, a Columbia-Shuswap Regional District director said the steep slopes and lack of roads will not protect the rainforest forever. …Brooks-Hill said there is a forest tenure on the Rainbow-Jordan forest, a harvest agreement between a logging company and the B.C. government. …Brooks-Hill brought the motion to protect the area to the regional district after the City of Revelstoke passed its own resolution in February. Next, the city and regional district will present the resolution at the Southern Interior Local Government Association meeting in April. If successful, it will then be presented at the Union of B.C. Municipalities meeting in September.
Woodland Almanac from the Federation of BC Woodlot Associations is now available, offering a look at the people, programs, and practical tools shaping woodlot management in British Columbia. This issue highlights the Charles Bloom Forestry Program, a hands-on training initiative that introduces high school students to forestry skills and careers while working on a real operating woodlot. The newsletter also features the Executive Director’s report, details on the 2026 Woodlots BC bursary program, and an invitation to attend the Woodlots BC Annual Conference and Workshop in Parksville, October 1–4. Readers will also find updates on value-added opportunities for woodlot licensees and revisions to the Commercial Thinning Guide, along with two “Meet a Woodlotter” profiles featuring the Zemanek Family and Garrett Ranches. Together, the stories showcase the innovation, stewardship, and community connections that continue to define BC’s woodlot sector.
North Cowichan has a looming water crisis. A permanent closure of the Crofton Pulp Mill and the shutdown of the pulp mill supply system would result in the diversion of most of North Cowichan’s future development water to supply water to Crofton. As a former process engineering and environmental supervisor at the mill…. my solution would solve the looming Cowichan Valley water crisis regardless of the mill situation. First, the province should revoke the mill water licence and assign it to the CVRD. Second, the CVRD would purchase the pulp mill water supply system from Domtar with a contractual obligation with Domtar that the pulp mill would continue to be provided with water at the CVRD‘s cost of operation. Third, The CVRD/North Cowichan/Duncan/Ladysmith… would install a new water supply distribution system from Ladysmith to Cobble Hill using the old E&N railway grade and the Crofton pulp mill spur line.
Ecologists Rachel Holt and Karen Price, landscape analyst Dave Daust, veteran forester Garry Merkel and economist Lisa Matthaus, members of a former panel the British Columbia government appointed to identify old-growth for potential protection in 2021 now says they’re concerned about continued logging in those same rare and “irreplaceable” forests. In a document sent to Premier David Eby, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar and Resource Stewardship Minister Randene Neill they say the proposed old-growth deferrals were meant to be an interim measure to reduce the risks of logging, allowing time for long-term planning. But the process has not worked as intended says the document provided to The Canadian Press. Instead, the B.C. government continues to approve logging in forests the panel identified, while long-term plans have yet to be finalized, Holt said in an interview.
Join us in Nanaimo, March 25 at the Shaw Auditorium, for an exclusive screening of this urgent and impactful documentary, exploring the roots of British Columbia’s wildfire crisis and what we must do to protect our forests, communities, and future. This powerful documentary addresses British Columbia’s escalating wildfire crisis and the urgent need for solutions. … But within this crisis lies opportunity. The film explores how proactive forest management and policy reforms can reduce fire risk. A fact-finding journey to California highlights innovative strategies from its Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan. BC is Burning is more than a documentary—it’s a call to action to rethink how we manage our forests, protect our communities, and secure a sustainable future for British Columbia.
Whistler’s forests are home to one of the region’s most elusive birds of prey: the northern goshawk. Bob Brett, a local biologist and co-founder of the Whistler Naturalists, says Whistler is almost uniquely positioned among southern B.C. communities to support the at-risk forest hawk because of the remaining old-growth forests scattered along the valley’s lower slopes. “[Goshawks] hunt inside the forest, so they need wide-spaced trees, they need big branches to nest on and they need access to the forest floor for hunting,” Brett said. “They’re in big trouble on the coast of British Columbia because of all the logging and the lack of old-growth suitable habitat,” he added. “…And our challenge is to make sure that Whistler continues to have habitat for them.” Brett said that challenge extends to the protection of connected ecosystems—particularly the Rainbow Wildlife Corridor, identified as the 21-Mile Creek corridor.
Taan Forest, the forest management enterprise owned by the Council of the Haïda Nation, is leading the way under the Forest Stewardship Council Verified Impact program. This milestone marks the first Verified Impact project in Canada and one of the first globally to be verified for enhancing Indigenous cultural values, showcasing how FSC certification can credibly demonstrate positive outcomes for biodiversity, cultural heritage, and community-led stewardship.
Fears of a wildfire devastating a drinking water source for up to 80,000 people in the North Okanagan are bringing local Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments together to protect their shared watershed. Last month, leaders of Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), the District of Lake Country and City of Vernon declared that protecting the crucial North Aberdeen Plateau watershed goes far beyond just preventing or mitigating wildfires. “We can’t let it go back to what it was,” Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland told fellow members of the Okanagan-Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table at the Feb. 20 meeting. …In November, a North Aberdeen Plateau Guidance Plan was signed by Ireland, OKIB Chief Dan Wilson, and Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming. The plateau, near Kalamalka Lake in the North Okanagan, includes four smaller watersheds that provide water for homes and farms across Lake Country and the greater Vernon areas. 
Alberta’s forestry minister says wildfire preparations have gone smoothly as the season opens, but he is concerned about the lack of precipitation and warm weather in the southern part of the province. Alberta’s wildfire season officially began March 1 with 30 wildfires extinguished already so far this calendar year. Two fires remain active, according to the province’s online wildfire dashboard, and more than 280 hectares have been affected so far. Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said Wednesday that while parts of the province are in relatively good shape ahead of the key spring weeks still to come, the southwest corner of the province in particular faces a more risky set of conditions. …Loewen said the province’s overall wildfire readiness is in a good state with most staff hiring already completed, but added the weather over the next two months will greatly affect how many fires crews the province will have this summer.
Quesnel City Council has endorsed the “Forestry is a Solution” campaign. Erin Robinson, Forestry Initiatives Manager at the City, talked about the “Forestry is a Solution” campaign at the most recent Council meeting. “It was launched in January at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George. The “Forestry is a Solution” campaign is led by a coalition of forest sector organizations, community leaders, workers, and industry advocates to demonstrate strong public support for British Columbia’s forest sector. The initiative highlights forestry’s role in: supporting affordable housing, reducing wildfire risk through active forest management, sustaining family-supporting jobs, generating public revenues, and contributing to lower carbon construction.” Robinson said it is in line with Council’s concerns over the current state of the industry.
City of Powell River councillors were provided an overview on March 5 of Tla’amin Nation’s negotiations to repatriate access to forest lands currently held by Western Forest Products (WFP). Adam Culos, general manager of Thichum Forest Products, said that Tla’amin had announced a milestone agreement, where Thichum Forest Products, through Tla’amin, is working on an agreement with WFP to acquire Tree Farm Licence 39 block one. Seanna McConnell, Western Forest Products vice-president, Indigenous partnerships, said Qwoqwnes Forestry Holdings Limited Partnership, wholly owned by Tla’amin, will be purchasing 100 per cent ownership of WFP’s Stillwater forest operation for $80 million. …Culos said the acquisition … supports Thichum’s long-term success through investment in their business and the future of the community, [adding] that almost all the wood supplies domestic mills, so there are three fibre supply agreements. One will be WFP, supporting the company’s five coastal mills, along with Mosaic Forest Management and Domtar.
Webinar: March 24, 2026 | Invasive species are an unintended consequence of globalization and one that is wreaking havoc on forest ecosystems. From the blister rust fungus that decimated BC’s white pines to more recent invasions of Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer beetle, invasive pests and pathogens are a real and present danger that are reshaping forest and urban ecosystems in lasting ways. Join Dr. Richard Hamelin, a forest pathologist specializing in forest health and the application of genomics to disease management, for a timely and engaging look at the scope of the problem and the scientific tools being used to respond, including the application of genomics and tree breeding. Increasingly, citizen scientists play a critical role in detecting emerging threats, helping enable early intervention and improved forest protection.
The lack of significant snowfall in the mountains around Cowichan Lake could be a problem for water levels during the upcoming dry season, according to Brain Houle, the environment manager at the now closed Domtar pulp mill in Crofton. While Domtar shut the mill down earlier this year, the forest company agreed to continue operations at the weir until the end of 2026. Houle said that while there is still time to accumulate more snow before the winter ends, it is possible that the weather will not bring more snow to the mountains before warm weather begins the annual snow melt. “With the Crofton mill now shut down and water withdrawals from the river significantly reduced, it is even more important to avoid the need to use pumps this year,” …Houle said that a stakeholder meeting was recently held … to discuss water issues related to the Cowichan watershed in 2026, including weir operations.
More local governments, contractors and First Nations will take on wildfire-risk-mitigation roles in and around their communities thanks to a $30-million investment in training, equipment and FireSmart programs. “Through powerful partnerships with local communities, we’re doing the work to get ahead of wildfire season,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “We’re investing in local governments, contractors and First Nations to mitigate the risks of wildfire, protecting people and community. This is how we create jobs, support workers and build more resilient forests, restoring confidence in our sector.” The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program is receiving an additional $15 million to continue prioritizing core FireSmart activities to protect the most vulnerable communities in B.C. The program is part of B.C.’s Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program. Along with the Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction program, it reduces wildfire risk by funding planning, education, co-ordination and fuel-management activities on publicly owned and Crown land.
Prince George is once again surpassing expectations with the sale of two commercial thinning areas in the region, says BC’s forests minister. The sales were made to Freya Logging, a contractor based in Prince George. The total volume between the two sales is 14,005 cubic metres in the West Lake and Greg Creek area. Freya Logging will undertake commercial thinning, a forest management process that removes a portion of trees in a 35-year-old or older stand to create space and provide more light and nutrients for younger trees in the area, while older trees are cut down and sold. The process is also known to decrease the risk of forest fires by reducing fuel loads and increasing forest resilience against pests. BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar has been a strong advocate for commercial thinning in the province and considers these two sales a milestone for forestry in BC.
The Alberta government has released a new wildfire mitigation strategy aimed at reducing wildfire risk and protecting communities, forests and critical infrastructure across the province. The Alberta Wildfire Mitigation Strategy outlines measures to improve preparedness and strengthen prevention efforts as wildfire seasons become more frequent and severe. Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said the strategy is intended to help communities better prepare for wildfire and reduce potential damage. …The strategy outlines six focus areas: improving knowledge of wildfire risks, strengthening community and Indigenous partnerships, reviewing legislation and policy, expanding the use of technology and innovation, integrating wildfire mitigation into landscape planning and prioritizing hazardous fuels management.
The Ontario Professional Foresters Association will host its 2026 Annual Conference and AGM in Pembroke, Ontario, April 21–23, bringing together forestry professionals, government representatives and industry leaders under the theme “Professional Forestry in Action: Diverse Roles, Shared Impact.” The conference opens with an optional field tour through the Ottawa Valley, where participants will visit forest management sites and hear directly from field practitioners about harvesting, regeneration and forest renewal practices. The program also features a series of technical sessions and plenaries examining key issues facing the profession. Among the highlights is a presentation by Derek Nighbor, President and CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada, who will discuss how evolving Canada–US relations are affecting the forestry sector and what may lie ahead. The three-day event also includes networking opportunities and the Association’s Annual General Meeting, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available.
The president of a logging company says anti-logging activists are fuelling a “social crisis” in the Mauricie region by sabotaging his company’s legal and government-authorized forestry projects and he called on the Quebec government to take action to protect workers and restore order. Antoine Langlois, president and founder of Forex Langlois Inc., contacted The Gazette this week to denounce what he and police believe was an intentionally set fire in Lac-aux-Sables last month that destroyed two machines owned by his company. …Sgt. Valérie Beauchamp of the Sûreté du Québec said police believe the fire was set intentionally sometime during the previous night…. Anonymous activists did take responsibility for sabotaging a forest in the same region on Jan. 26. In a statement posted on the Instagram account of a collective called Soulèvements du fleuve, an “anonymous group” said they had inserted metal spikes in trees in the Mékinac forest north of Ste-Thècle.
The City of Ottawa says program cuts at Algonquin College could make it harder to recruit workers. An internal city analysis reviewed roughly 30 programs the college was thinking of suspending and ultimately did cancel after a unanimous board of governors vote on Monday. The city found that the elimination of nine programs would affect its ability to hire staff in the future. The programs flagged include: Nursery Operator – Forestry Services, Public Works and Nursery Worker – Forestry Services, Public Works. …The forestry services branch within the city’s public works department relies on graduates from Algonquin’s horticultural industries program to fill nursery operator and nursery worker roles. It also depends on design foundations program graduates for its traffic services branch, which hires sign designers, fabricators and supervisors.
OLMYPIA, Washington – Washington state is poised to significantly expand its efforts to combat climate change with a proposed agreement to link its carbon market with those of California and Quebec. The move, announced Tuesday by the Washington Department of Ecology, aims to stabilize and reduce the costs associated with decarbonizing the state’s economy. The draft linkage agreement is now open for public comment until May 1, 2026, with the shared market potentially launching as early as 2027. This collaboration represents a major step forward in regional climate action, building upon Washington’s 2021 Climate Commitment Act. …The linkage would allow businesses in all three jurisdictions to participate in joint auctions and trade carbon allowances freely. This expanded market is expected to stabilize Washington’s relatively new and more expensive carbon market, as California and Quebec have been operating linked markets since 2014. While aligning with California and Quebec, Washington maintains distinct climate goals. 
One of the most persistent myths in BC business circles is that WorkSafeBC is sitting on a massive surplus—a piggy bank that should be cracked open and handed back to employers. Manitoba did it, Ontario did it. …So why not BC? Because the surplus is depleted. It didn’t disappear overnight. It was frittered away, year by year, policy by policy, under an NDP government. …And now, BC’s small business owners are staring down the consequences. …According to WorkSafeBC’s own financial statements, in 2019 the system was funded at 153%—a full 23 points above the 130% floor set by policy and insurance best practices. That cushion, billions built up over decades, was a rainy day fund. It was never meant to finance an ever-expanding bureaucratic empire. …In 2019, WorkSafeBC’s rate of $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll was among the lowest in Canada—only three provinces were cheaper. By 2024, that same $1.55 is higher than every province except two.
When it comes to WorkSafeBC, one of the most misunderstood issues we hear about from business groups is the surplus. Specifically, many small-business associations have been calling on WorkSafeBC to rebate the surplus back to employers since our funding level is above target. For background, the funding level is simply a ratio of assets over liabilities on a funding basis. …What is also not well understood is that WorkSafeBC has been returning significant amounts of surplus funds to employers annually to keep rates both stable and below the actual costs of the system. …The reality is that if WorkSafeBC refunded the entire surplus to employers we would no longer be able to price premiums below system costs, meaning rates would have to be raised in subsequent years. …Rate stability for employers is a priority for WorkSafeBC. Some sectors benefiting from rate reductions in 2026 include sawmills (down 40%), framing and residential forming (down 40%).