Although personal protective equipment (PPE) shouldn’t be solely relied upon to protect workers from injuries, it is an important part of safety programs and should be chosen to make sure it offers the best protection available. 
The following focuses on considerations for supervisors and owners when developing a PPE program. Components of a good PPE program include: Regulation Check; Planning; Appropriate Selection; Fitting; Education and Training; Supervisor and Management Support; Inspection and Maintenance; and Auditing the Program. Get all the details by clicking the Read More!
Region Archives: Canada
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Forest Fires
BC housing minister ready to work with feds if ‘serious dollars on the table’
Ravi Kahlon
BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon touched on a wide range of development and housing issues during an address to the Urban Development Institute, including infrastructure funding, planning standardization and housing targets. Kahlon said that a dialogue is needed around infrastructure funding to address BC’s challenges around housing supply and affordability. …Kahlon also took time to address the Housing Supply Act, which has stirred controversy due to province’s ability to set housing targets that municipalities must meet based on their population and growth projections. …Kahlon’s UDI appearance comes as B.C. municipalities are required to update their official community plans and zoning bylaws by year’s end to include 20 years of housing needs. The OCPs will require updates every five years. The City of Vancouver will have its first ever city-wide official development plan by June 2026.
Northern Alberta community begins welcoming wildfire evacuees
Fire crews are facing a challenging day as a wildfire encroaches on the town of Swan Hills in northern Alberta. An evacuation order was issued shortly after 6 p.m. Monday as the flames of the Edith Lake wildfire drew closer to the town of more than 1,300 people. A wildfire detected Sunday is now burning out of control seven kilometres from the edge of town, which is nestled in the boreal forest about 220 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. The blaze, fanned by powerful and unpredictable winds, has burned close to 2,300 hectares since it was first spotted. A provincial fire weather forecast is predicting gusty and shifting winds and rising temperatures on Tuesday and the national fire danger is listed as extreme across much of the province. As of noon Tuesday, there were seven out-of-control wildfires in Alberta.
Thunder Bay – The Northwest Fire Region continues to face escalating wildfire activity, with 12 active fires currently being managed across the region. According to Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, 4 of the fires are not under control, 3 are being held, and 5 are under control. As of Tuesday evening, five new wildland fires were confirmed: THUNDER BAY 13: Located at the south end of Dog Lake in Silver Falls Provincial Park, this 0.1-hectare fire is not under control. NIPIGON 3: Located 2 km west of Longlac, along the north end of Long Lake, this 0.1-hectare fire remains uncontrolled. RED LAKE 9: Found on the east side of Pikangikum First Nation beside Pikangikum Lake, this 0.1-hectare fire is now out. …The wildland fire hazard is high to extreme across most of the Northwest Region, driven by persistent dry conditions and strong winds.
Related coverage in Kenora Online: Poor air quality expected in Fort Frances, Kenora areas due to forest fires
Powell River mayor proposes upping foresty’s allowable cut
Ron Woznow
City of Powell River Council voted to defer a Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) resolution proposed by mayor Ron Woznow until more research can be done. At the May 22 council meeting, Woznow read his resolution that recommended UBCM call upon the ministry of forests to take immediate steps to secure at least 45 million cubic metres of economically viable fibre for the 2025 calendar year, and that the ministry continue to increase access to economically viable fibre by five million cubic metres each year until achieving the annual allowable cut totals set by the chief forester. Woznow said the economic benefits of forestry in British Columbia are well known. …Councillor Cindy Elliott said on April 24, she went to Western Forest Products’ public advisory group meeting and lots of good information came out. She said she believes Woznow was trying to address the current undercut in the province.
Atlas Engineered Products Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Results, Including YoY Revenue Increase of 21%
Nanaimo, BC — Atlas Engineered Products is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. All amounts are presented in Canadian dollars.
- Revenue of $11M, representing an increase of 21% year-over-year
- Wall Panel revenue increased by 42% year-over-year
- Engineered Wood Products revenue increased by 30% year-over-year
- Adjusted EBITDA of $586,666, representing an increase of 137% year-over-year
Hadi Abassi, President and CEO of AEP, commented: “Despite the housing start statistics and convoluted political and economic climates, the Company delivered a 21% increase in revenue over last year and worked diligently to drive organic growth in wall panels and engineered wood products, in addition to increasing production on roof trusses. I am encouraged by the start of 2025 to continue our organic growth initiatives across Canada and strategic acquisitions that will further strengthen our geographical footprint.”
Better Protecting Communities and Forests: Wildfire Risk Reduction Project Completed Near Merritt
Merritt, B.C. – The Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC) has completed wildfire risk reduction treatments in the Steffens Estates subdivision, north of the Lower Nicola Indian Band’s Mameet Indian Reserve #1, approximately 17 kilometres north of the city of Merritt. The project, which combined harvesting and post-harvest fuel reduction treatments, was conducted by crews from Shulus Forest Enterprises LP, the forestry division of the LNIBDC, with assistance from Forsite Consultants Ltd. and funding support from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC. The work will help reduce wildfire risk to communities, enhance forest resilience, and maintain critical wildlife features while generating significant economic and employment opportunities for the LNIBDC. …The LNIBDC contracted Forsite to assist in creating the fuel management prescription, which helped guide and monitor the crew’s activities as treatments were implemented, ensuring all required wildfire risk reduction outcomes were achieved.
The Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) and the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) are honoured to be organizing the 2025 International Model Forest Network (IMFN) Global Forum to take place from May 26-30th, 2025 in Kemptville, Ontario, Canada at the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre. The event will attract up to 200 delegates representing over 60 Model Forests from over 30 countries around the world. The IMFN Global Forum is a business, technical, and networking meeting in which members share knowledge, review their accomplishments, address challenges, and agree on Network‐wide and other strategic plans and initiatives for the three‐year period following the Global Forum. …The 2025 IMFN Global Forum will include a series of parallel regional annual governance meetings, a multi-day IMFN Global Forum / IMFN Assembly, an IMFN Climate knowledge consolidation workshop, as well as several one-day field tour options within the host Model Forest to learn from local experiences and landscape governance processes.
The federal government has no plans to use legislative tools to penalize Canadian businesses for offshoring jobs to the United States or other countries to avoid American tariffs, the finance ministry says. The clarifying statement comes after Unifor urged Ottawa last week to use existing measures to prevent the loss of Canadian jobs to south of the border, and strengthen the law through legislative amendments. “The government is not implementing legislative tools to penalize Canadian companies who relocate abroad,” a finance ministry official said. “On the contrary, the government has put in place measures to support Canadian companies so they can continue to do business at home.” …The statement comes as Parliament returns for its first session in more than five months, finally allowing legislators to consider measures to respond to US President Trump’s trade war with Canada.
Garry Merkel
Shannon Janzen
Members of the newly formed Provincial Forest Advisory Council, co-chaired by an East Kootenay resident, are tasked with providing recommendations to government on advancing forest stewardship, while supporting communities and workers that rely on forests. Under the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025, the B.C. government and BC Green caucus have established the Provincial Forest Advisory Council. The council will provide recommendations to government to ensure there are clear and measurable outcomes that support a healthy forests, healthy ecosystems and a healthy forestry sector. The council will consult with industry partners, such as the Provincial Forestry Forum and ecological, environmental and biodiversity experts, to engage the public for feedback and honour commitments to work in partnership with First Nations. This community-driven approach will ensure the review is inclusive and focused on land-base certainty and sustainability.
Upload Photos Win $$! Alberta Forest Products Association Raffle Contest
To celebrate the dedication of our industry and our collective love for Alberta forests, the Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA), will be hosting a raffle The prize? Be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $200 Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) or Marks Work Warehouse gift card (choice between the two) and a Love AB Forests merch item of your choosing. The Alberta forest Media Catalogue is an extensive digital archive that houses a wide range of media related to Alberta’s forests and forestry sector. This includes photos, videos, audio files, documents, and more. The catalogue is designed to be a central repository where members can easily upload, tag, share, and search for forestry-related media.
The Ontario PC government is protecting good-paying jobs and building a stronger, more competitive forest sector by investing $11.3 million in innovation, clean energy, and modernization initiatives in northeastern Ontario. This strategic investment will boost efficiency, unlock new revenue streams, and create jobs—while helping ensure Ontario remains a leader in sustainable forestry. Funding will support the following organizations and projects: Hornepayne Power Inc. – $7.5 million to upgrade power generation equipment and expand into on-site green hydrogen production; GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. – Nearly $3 million, plus an additional $130,000, to modernize its biomass cogeneration plant and scale up production of torrefied pellets, a clean, renewable alternative to coal; Circular Carbon Canada Inc. – $500,000 to study the viability of using sawmills to host biochar-producing pyrolysis plants; and Wikwemikong Development Commission – $200,000 to advance the development of a new wood pellet and bio-coal production facility.
Canada Invests in Green Jobs for Youth
OTTAWA, ON—The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, announced $15 million to create 470 employment and skills training opportunities for youth across Canada in natural resources sectors including energy, forestry, mining, earth sciences and clean technology. Through the Science and Technology Internship Program (STIP) – Green Jobs, employers in natural resources sectors can apply for funding to hire, train and mentor youth aged 15 to 30 for up to 12 months. These job opportunities will ensure that Canada’s natural resources sectors remain a source of economic growth and prosperity in the future. STIP – Green Jobs is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), which supports youth in gaining the hands-on skills and experience they need to effectively transition into the labour market.
The new La Pêche Town Hall, built on a promontory facing Route Principale, is a mass timber, highly energy-efficient building that will soon become the first Passive House-certified institutional building in Quebec. Rectangular in shape and located on an east-west axis, the building, by BGLA architecture + urban design, features a long façade which faces directly south onto the main road. This façade offers views of the hills of Gatineau Park from the inside, while also using natural solar gain to serve as the building’s primary heating source. The presence of wood is felt inside and outside the project. Eastern cedar cladding envelops all the façades, while the glulam and cross-laminated timber structure is exposed and highlighted in each of the interior spaces.
Packaging is going back to its roots. Long before the advent of plastics, before the rise of mass production and the widespread adoption of synthetic materials, early civilisations relied on what the natural world had to offer – pressed bark, woven plant fibres, and rudimentary pulps – to store and transport food and goods. Paper, in particular, has long served as a trusted material for containment and communication alike. Today, that ancient material is undergoing a resurgence and is evolving to not only meet contemporary functional needs but also to respond to an urgent call for environmental responsibility. The rapid shift away from single-use plastic has created new momentum behind paper-based alternatives. From luxury goods wrapped in soft textured, bespoke papers to barrier coated containers engineered for performance and recyclability, fibre-based packaging is no longer confined to brown boxes or rustic aesthetics. It is becoming more refined, more versatile, and, crucially, more sustainable – at least on the surface.
A love of the outdoors and a deep desire to make a meaningful impact on communities affected by climate change keeps Greg Verkaik going back to Western Canada. The PhD student studies peatlands and their role in wildfires. Climate change isn’t an abstract concept in his research, it’s something he’s been seeing and experiencing in the landscapes he’s visited since 2018 as part of this work. The 2025 wildfire season is already shaping up to be another intense year for Canada. Early signs point to another active and dangerous season, particularly in Western Canada. As peatlands dry and fire seasons lengthen, the risk of deep-burning, smouldering fires – the kind that can persist underground and reignite months later, continues to grow. This only strengthens Verkaik’s commitment to his research, which aims to better understand how peatlands influence wildfire behaviour and how they might be managed to reduce risk.
Although personal protective equipment (PPE) shouldn’t be solely relied upon to protect workers from injuries, it is an important part of safety programs and should be chosen to make sure it offers the best protection available. The following focuses on considerations for supervisors and owners when developing a PPE program. Components of a good PPE program include: Regulation Check; Planning; Appropriate Selection; Fitting; Education and Training; Supervisor and Management Support; Inspection and Maintenance; and Auditing the Program. Get all the details by clicking the Read More!
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) remain one of the most common and costly types of workplace injuries in BC’s forestry sector. These injuries, which affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, often result from repetitive motion, overexertion, awkward postures or prolonged physical strain. Given the physically demanding nature of forestry work, addressing MSI risks is essential to protecting worker health and maintaining productivity. By implementing ergonomic practices, promoting proper body mechanics and fostering a culture of early reporting and prevention, employers and workers can work together to significantly reduce the occurrence and impact of MSIs across the industry.
Although musculoskeletal injuries can affect workers across all areas of forestry, certain roles are particularly vulnerable due to the physical demands and repetitive nature of their tasks.
Silviculture Workers, such as tree planters and brushers, often perform repetitive motions for extended periods in challenging terrain. Tasks like bending, lifting, and carrying heavy loads—combined with awkward postures and limited rest—make them especially prone to strains and overuse injuries in the back, shoulders, and knees.
Log Truck Drivers face a different set of risks. They are particularly at risk due to the combination of static postures, repetitive movements and the physical demands of securing loads and performing maintenance tasks in often unpredictable outdoor conditions. These factors can lead to cumulative strain on the musculoskeletal system, especially in the lower back, shoulders, and knees.
Sawmill Workers are frequently exposed to repetitive tasks, forceful exertions and static postures, particularly in roles involving material handling or machine operation. Without proper ergonomics and task rotation, these workers are at high risk for injuries to the hands, wrists, shoulders and lower back.
Each of these roles presents unique challenges, but with targeted prevention strategies and the use of resources like those provided by the BC Forest Safety Council, employers can take meaningful steps to reduce MSI risks and protect their workforce.
MSI Resources:
MSI Backgrounder – provides foundational knowledge on how MSIs occur and outlines strategies for prevention, including ergonomic assessments and task modifications.
Tree Planting Resource Package offers tailored guidance on safe lifting techniques, stretching routines, and injury prevention tips specific to the demands of the job.
Preventing MSIs in Log Truck Drivers – a series of videos and posters have been developed by the Log Truck Technical Advisory Committee (LTTAC) and BCFSC to help keep drivers free from musculoskeletal injuries.
BCFSC Manufacturing Safety Crew Talk – this crew talk highlights how to recognize the early signs of an MSI and ways to prevent them.
WorkSafeBC: Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) – best practices for identifying MSI risks and implementing controls to keep workers safe.
WorkSafeBC: Understanding the Risks of Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) – an educational guide to help workers and employers recognize the signs and symptoms of MSI and understand the potential health effects of these injuries.
Managing risks in steep slope harvesting: safety in challenging terrain
Steep slope harvesting (SSH) enables forestry operations on challenging and often hazardous terrain, allowing access to valuable timber resources. But with this access comes increased risk. From equipment instability to terrain hazards, safe operations on steep ground require a clear understanding of the work environment and strong mitigation strategies.
Approaches to steep slope harvesting
Steep slope harvesting can be approached in several ways, each with its own set of challenges and safety considerations.
- The first approach uses conventional equipment, guided by a risk assessment and safe work procedures developed by a qualified person. The BC Forest Safety Council’s Steep Slope Resource Package helps employers and workers create site-specific procedures.
- The second approach involves specialized equipment, such as tethered or winch-assist machines, designed for steep terrain and capable of operating on slopes up to 100% grade with cable support for stability.
- The third method, cable yarding or high-lead logging, moves logs across slopes over 100%, minimizing the need for ground-based equipment on unstable terrain. However, cable yarding introduces its own high-risk factors and must be part of the safety plan.
- Other specialized approaches, such as heli-logging, are also used in terrain too steep or sensitive for ground-based equipment.
Key hazards
Terrain instability
Conditions can shift rapidly on steep slopes. Operators must be able to recognize changing hazards and respond appropriately. Assessing slope steepness, ground stability, and preparing for emergencies is essential.
Inadequate planning
Planning should include detailed mapping of terrain features such as slope gradients, soil types, and unstable areas caused by moisture, rock outcrops, or past slides. Clearly marked no-go zones are critical where equipment use would be too dangerous.
Strengthening risk assessments
A qualified person—or team—must conduct a thorough assessment of both terrain and equipment limits. This forms the basis for site-specific safe work procedures to maintain machine stability and protect worker safety.
Natural obstacles
Cliffs, gullies, and loose debris pose serious risks. Workers and supervisors should walk the site before operations begin to spot hazards and confirm that equipment anchoring will be secure.
Machinery hazards
Equipment on steep slopes is vulnerable to rollovers and traction loss, especially if support cables are damaged by sharp objects like rocks, stumps, or machinery components such as a buncher head.
Machinery must always be suited to the terrain,” says Tom Pawlowski, manager of Prevention Programs and Services at WorkSafeBC. “For example, rubber-tired machines are typically limited to slopes of 35%, so it’s critical to match the right equipment to the right slope.
Stay clear, stay safe: Cable yarding on slopes
Cable yarding—using a system of cables and blocks to move logs from the cutting site to the landing—is a common and efficient technique in steep slope harvesting. But it comes with serious safety risks, especially when workers are near moving logs, tensioned lines, or heavy equipment.
Proper planning and setup of cable systems are crucial for worker safety. Even small oversights, like improperly anchored guylines or missed maintenance, can lead to dangerous, uncontrolled movements.
Key practices for mitigating risks
Hazard assessment and equipment suitability
Start with a thorough evaluation of the terrain—consider slope steepness, ground stability, and the potential for equipment failure. This will form the basis of your site harvesting and safety plan. Only use machinery rated for the conditions. Cable yarding operators should confirm all rigging, anchors, and pulleys are suited to the slope and securely installed.
Effective setup and anchoring
Proper anchoring and setup of machinery and cable systems are critical. All equipment must be securely anchored, and deflection systems adjusted to maintain safe angles. Make sure to regularly inspect and adjust equipment based on terrain changes.
Staying in the clear
A core safety principle in steep slope harvesting is maintaining safe distance. Workers must stay at least 1.5 tree lengths away from moving logs or equipment. If this can’t be maintained, work must stop until the plan is adjusted and risks are properly managed. Ongoing awareness and clear communication are essential to staying out of harm’s way.
Communication and emergency response
Effective communication is key. Daily tailgate meetings should review hazards and safety protocols, while supervisors must monitor conditions and ensure workers are familiar with emergency procedures.
WorkSafeBC requires that emergency procedures be practiced whenever there is a significant change in location or harvesting process.
Maintaining equipment
Preventative maintenance plays a major role in safety. Conduct regular checks, follow lockout procedures, and inspect for wear or damage—especially in equipment used on steep terrain.
Personal safety measures
Workers should wear seatbelts, use proper footwear, and secure loose items inside cabs to minimize risks like slips, trips, and uncontrolled movement in the event of equipment failure.
Creating a safety culture: The role of supervisors
While equipment, planning, and procedures are essential, the foundation of a safe worksite is a shared commitment to health and safety, starting from the top.
“The responsibility of a supervisor extends beyond operations,” says Pawlowski. “They play a key role in fostering a mindset that prioritizes worker well-being.”
The way supervisors approach safety directly influences the attitudes and behaviours of the crew. Supervisors must be present, well-trained, and action-oriented, creating an environment where workers understand their responsibilities and feel supported in speaking up. Supervisors must model open communication, respond quickly to health and safety issues, and ensure workers are equipped to recognize and manage hazards throughout the phases of a project.
Safe outcomes depend on daily actions
Steep slope harvesting presents significant risks, but with careful planning, proper equipment, and a culture of safety, these risks can be managed.
“Safety is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires daily attention,” says Pawlowski. “By consistently prioritizing hazard assessment, equipment suitability, proper setup, and staying in the clear, employers and workers can minimize risks and help ensure that steep slope harvesting remains a safe and effective method of timber harvesting.”
For more information consult resources from the BC Forest Safety Council and WorkSafeBC.
CLT superstructure ready to rise on former parking lot in Kensington Market
This summer a superstructure for a four-storey housing complex will rise on a former public parking lot in Toronto’s Kensington Market. What is novel about the 78-unit affordable housing project is that, other than a concrete foundation, it will be constructed of cross-laminated timber (CLT), including the elevator core. Design firm Montgomery Sisam Architects chose a CLT superstructure (floors, roof, exterior walls) partly because it can be erected by a single trade in six to eight weeks, rather than the months required for conventional concrete construction, says Daniel Ling, a principal of Montgomery Sisam. The complex, which is being built under the City of Toronto’s Rapid Housing Initiative phase three, also earns sustainability credentials. The embodied carbon intensity targeted for the CLT exceeds the “extra-low emission requirements” under the Toronto Green Standard.
Ontario First Nations leaders say they want the province to kill a controversial bill. Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, includes major changes to the province’s endangered species and environmental protection laws. The bill would create “special economic zones” that would suspend laws for certain projects. Premier Ford has said the Ring of Fire mineral deposit in northern Ontario and his proposed tunnel under Highway 401 would be given that special status under the proposed law. The bill has drawn criticism from First Nations, environmentalists and legal advocates. …Alvin Fiddler, grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, said if the bill is passed, First Nations communities will take a stand. …The Ford government has said the bill is intended to speed up approvals as an urgent response to the economic threats posed by President Trump and his tariffs. ….Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said Monday that the province is willing to consider changes.
Related coverage in:
- CTV News: Road, rail & mine blockades could be on horizon over mining bill
- APTN News: Anishinabek Nation warns First Nations will be ‘idle no more’
- Globe and Mail: Conservation groups warn of loss of species protections
Domtar has been penalized $17,200 for nearly two dozen failures to control the release of emissions from its Skookumchuck, BC, mill. The kraft pulp mill was found to have violated pollution levels 23 times over eight months starting in 2021, according to a decision from director of the Environmental Management Act Bryan Vroom. On at least six occasions, the decision found Domtar failed to keep smoke emissions from a wood-waste-fired power boiler below the 40 per cent opacity required under its 2013 permit. …The company disputed the findings, arguing that a nearby air quality impact assessment showed the impacts to human health were “not significant” and that the ministry failed to show the violations would impact workers. In his decision, Environmental Management Act Bryan Vroom responded by reducing the severity of the failures to a level of “low to none.” …Domtar acknowledged the penalties in an email, and said it is working with B.C.’s environment ministry in response.
To state the obvious, in Ontario homebuilding is not keeping pace with population growth. This imbalance is driving sky-high home prices and rents, not only in the GTA but many other Ontario cities. What’s to be done? In the Ford government’s recent budget, “housing” appears not as a central theme but as one of several areas to receive “support” in light of Trump’s tariffs, mainly in the form of more money for local infrastructure. …And as part of this “housing” spending spree, the Ford government will continue to spend millions on the Community Infrastructure Fund—which targets smaller communities—and programs to encourage skilled trades, which could support housing development. … The Ontario government has already spent billions on its housing strategy, yet has not moved the needle on housing supply. Even Ford’s new budget with its massive housing “support” includes an abysmal forecast for new home construction.
Canada has challenged both duties in our free trade arrangements with the US and at the WTO — often successfully but to no avail. …Clearly, putting an end to 40 years of a softwood lumber trade war should be a top priority for Canada in its list of fixes it seeks in any CUSMA renegotiation. …Nevertheless, a looming trade crisis may present some interesting opportunities in the confluence of at least three policy priorities of the new federal and BC governments. …In the recent election, Carney promised to double the number of homes built in Canada annually to 500,000, entrusting the implementation of this plan to a new Build Canada Homes (BCH) agency that will act as a developer overseeing the construction of affordable housing. …Hence, BC lumber displaced from the US market can be redirected at home to drive down the cost of a significantly increased inventory of new homes throughout Canada.
Robert Phillips
Leaders from local governments and First Nations held a joint press conference Thursday to voice their collective opposition to the B.C. government’s Bill 15, which aims to expedite infrastructure products. …“If passed into law, Bill 15 would give greater powers to cabinet to expedite the approval of projects it deems to be ‘provincially significant.’ First Nations and local governments have expressed concern with the lack of consultation prior to the legislation being drafted,” the two entities stated in a joint statement issued via the UBCM. …The FNLC said the bill may override the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, while local governments said they are concerned about local planning being disrupted. …Premier David Eby said the legislation would benefit both Indigenous communities and municipalities. …Robert Phillips, political executive member of the First Nations Summit, called the bill an “unfortunate and avoidable” process.
“Fire is not inherently bad” says Fire Archeologist
Joanne Miles
Chief Joanne Miles of the Flat Bay Band says people in her community have practiced low-intensity controlled burning for as long as she can remember. When done correctly, she says this can prevent devastating wildfires. The knowledge of how this is done has been passed down through generations. …Several factors are considered before starting a low-intensity controlled burn, Miles said. Elders in her area have learned the seasonal patterns, the moisture levels of the ground and plants, and how to recognize wind changes. Miles said this practice is the reason the Flat Bay area has hardly seen any major forest fires. …Some tribal nations have retained knowledge of the burning connection they had with the Earth, Renick said. The knowledge of others was decimated through colonization, she said.
Nopiming fire leaves herd of endangered caribou at risk
The southernmost herd of endangered woodland caribou in Manitoba might not be able to recover from wildfire-caused habitat and population losses, experts say. Fire burn patterns and maps suggest a fire that has ravaged more than 100,000 hectares in and west of Nopiming Provincial Park in eastern Manitoba has destroyed a substantial part of the habitat of the Owl-Flintstone caribou herd. Boreal woodland caribou are classified as threatened under the Manitoba Endangered Species Act. There are an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 in the province. Daniel Dupont, a professor at St. Boniface University, is worried that last week’s inferno will weaken the woodland caribou population in several ways. “The caribou have just lost the habitat where their females give birth from mid-May to June,” Dupont said. …The Nopiming area is home to between 40 and 60 woodland caribou, he said.
Representatives from across many sectors of the Forestry Industry gathered in Quesnel for the fourth Future of Forestry Think Tank (FFTT). The FFTT was held at Quesnel’s CNC campus on May 21, and 22. Erin Robinson, the Forest Initiatives Manager for the City of Quesnel, says this “grassroots-led, initiative first” conference initially started by gathering different orders of government together to discuss ways to solve issues across Forestry, and find new innovations. “We wanted to figure out what Quesnel can keep doing well, which is forestry,” says Robinson. “Have it start at the grassroots level and then roll changes up to the region, then up to the province.” Some projects that started as learning and brainstorming opportunities from the FFTT have started to become provincial initiatives, like the Forest Landscape Plan Process. Quesnel has one of four Landscape Pilot Projects in the province to reshape sustainable frameworks for forestry.
Vancouver councillors have approved an updated plan for growing the city’s urban forest, but a forestry professor says there are challenges ahead. The city’s goal is to increase its canopy cover – how much of the city is covered by leaves and branches when seen from above – from about 25 per cent of the city to 30 per cent by 2050, according to the updated urban forest strategy. …Stephen Sheppard, a professor emeritus at the University of B.C.’s forestry faculty, said Vancouver’s 30 per cent canopy cover target is very achievable – but he noted there is cause for concern. In the wake of the B.C. government pushing hard for cities to increase housing density, Sheppard advised councillors to minimize the loss of existing urban trees when approving rezoning proposals. …Multiple councillors pointed out the stark divide in canopy cover between neighbourhoods.
Kari Stuart-Smith
Kari Stuart-Smith, a wildlife ecologist and Manager of Biodiversity & Wildlife at Canfor, has dedicated over 30 years to advancing sustainable forest management in the East Kootenay. …One of her notable initiatives is the development of a new Old Growth Management Plan for Canfor’s Tree Farm License (TFL) 14 southwest of Golden. This project involved a collaborative group from Canfor, the Province of BC, First Nations, and Wildsight, with technical guidance from Forsite. Using LiDAR data to assess forest stand structure, the team identified high-quality old growth areas, leading to a plan with higher ecological values than previous models. …Stuart-Smith also played a key role in identifying and developing management strategies for High Conservation Value Areas (HCVAs) in the East Kootenay, a requirement for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
Province investing more than $11M in forestry projects
The province is doling out more than $11 million to support projects that innovate and modernize forestry operations in northeastern Ontario. On May 21, the province announced $11.3 million for five projects through its Forest Biomass Program, which it says will create jobs, increase productivity, and identify new revenue streams. Hornepayne Power Inc. will receive the largest chunk, $7.5 million, which will be used to upgrade power generation equipment at its plant and support research into on-site green hydrogen production. GreenFirst Forest Products Inc., is receiving nearly $3 million to upgrade its biomass cogeneration plant, and an additional $130,000, which will be used to research the use of mill byproducts for torrefied pellets. Circular Carbon Canada Inc. is receiving $500,000 to study northeast sawmills as potential sites for pyrolysis plants, which use forest biomass to produce biochar, which is a substance used in power generation, soil amendment and water filtration.
Nadir Erbilgin
University of Alberta research is showing how trees and fungi team up to survive and stay healthy against insect attacks — an alliance that could lead to more resilient forests. Endophytes — tiny micro-organisms made up of bacteria and fungi living harmlessly in the tissues of white spruce — help the tree defend itself by producing toxic compounds that repel or kill eastern spruce budworm, the new study showed. The discovery provides a “clear, detailed explanation” of how the fungi help protect the tree against the defoliating insect, says forest entomologist Nadir Erbilgin, a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences who supervised the study. …Knowing specific endophytes can boost tree defences or repel budworms also offers possibilities for selecting, breeding or inoculating trees with beneficial fungal partners, he notes.
BC Wildfire Service working on new wildfire started near Arrastra Creek west of Princeton
BC Wildfire Service are handling a new wildfire discovered on Saturday afternoon west of Princeton. Fire Information Officer Shae Stearns said they have one initial attack crew and a response officer on site, along with one helicopter assisting with water tanking. The fire is near Arrastra Creek and behind Black Mine Road. The fire is estimated at just over one hectare in size and is classified at out of control. The fire is believed to be human-caused, but further details on how the fire started are not known. …As of Friday, May 16, category 3 open fires were ordered prohibited across the Kamloops Fire Centre.
Rumours spread like wildfire — and rumours about wildfire are no exception. In Canada’s westernmost province, the BC Wildfire Service is taking to its social media channels to tackle misinformation with an unlikely tool: kindness. Take the term “human caused.” Wildfire agencies use it to describe all wildfires that aren’t started by lightning, but many people have incorrectly conflated that with arson and the idea has taken hold. …This year, you’ll see the government account responding to those comments with a playful, gentle tone and a wealth of facts. Jean Strong, a digital communications officer with the government agency, says her team is trying a new tack this year, after successfully experimenting with the approach during the 2024 wildfire season. …The end goal is to increase public understanding about both the basics and complexities of wildfire science and response, she says.
Join us in the studio as we continue our exploration of British Columbia’s forestry industry with Linda Coady, former CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries. Coady has held several influential roles, including Chief Sustainability Officer at Enbridge Inc., Vice-President of Sustainability for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, and Vice-President for the Pacific Region at WWF-Canada. In this episode, we delve into the impacts of the War in the Woods and the evolution of conservation and reconciliation in coastal B.C. and across Canada. Drawing on her extensive experience in the forestry sector, Coady offers insights into the complex history that laid the groundwork for joint solutions between industry, the provincial government, and Indigenous communities. We explore lessons learned from past conservation and reconciliation efforts, and how these lessons can guide us through today’s political and economic uncertainties.
Phase Congestion PreventionBack in 2013, the Coast Harvesting Advisory Group (CHAG) identified phase congestion as a priority at the request of coastal contractors who had become concerned about practices that could negatively impact worker safety when logging phases were not properly managed and became too close together or “stacked” for a variety of reasons including production pressures, poor planning, permit or other unexpected delays.
Here again in 2025, phase congestion has become a heightened concern as forestry operations are scrambling to produce in the face of uncertainty which could lead to dangerous situations for workers. History has proven that during uncertain times, productivity becomes the main driver, not for all contractors, but for some, and safety can be put on the backburner which puts everyone at risk, even those who put safety first.
And when the conflicting demands of contractors working in different phases are integrated together and operating simultaneously in a worksite and are not focussed on safety, it compromises everyone including the work being performed. And if an incident occurs because one contractor was pushing the limits to “get the job done”, all operations will come to a griding halt for every contractor working in the area which means no one keeps working and everyone is affected because of the wrong mindset.
That is why it is imperative to ensure that “phase integration” – meaning different phases are organized to operate simultaneously in a worksite as a single “integrated” phase – is seamlessly built into the site plan to ensure worker safety is maintained and desired operational efficiencies are actually achieved.
To help you properly plan, manage and supervise a worksite, BCFSC has some valuable resources and training to help eliminate phase congestion and keep your operation running smoothly while working with other on-site contractors and ensure all those working on site remain safe.
Visit the Phase Congestion Prevention web page and find essential tools, training and information that will help explain and what Phase Congestion is and how to avoid it.
Top Recommendations from BC Forest Safety Council Safety Advisors
BC Forest Safety Council Safety Advisors help forestry employers and employees achieve their safety goals. By visiting worksites, they provide invaluable insights and practical guidance for implementing effective safety procedures and maintaining safe work practices to ensure workplaces meeting SAFE Certification audit requirements but also fostering a culture of safety by minimizing risks and enhancing the well-being of everyone on site.
Here are some of the top recommendations from recent site visits to help keep your workplace safe and efficient.
Complete Your Emergency Response Drill: Ensure you are performing regular Emergency Response Drills. As of November 1, 2024, a First Aid Drill is mandatory. • Conduct Proper Incident Investigations: Always end investigations with Fundamental Recommendations to prevent future occurrences. These should include procedural changes. If procedures aren’t altered, the results won’t change.- Check Your Emergency Escape Hatches: In an emergency, if the door is blocked, you don’t want to find that an escape hatch is rusted shut. Regularly inspect these hatches.
- Document First Aid Assessments Correctly: Every worksite must have a documented First Aid Assessment. This requirement changes on November 1, 2024, so ensure you have the latest form and instructions.
- Regular Worker Assessments: Assess all workers and supervisors for competency regularly, based on risk. These assessments should be performed by someone competent in this task.
- Conduct Site Inspections: Complete inspections for any site you work at for 30 days or more, including shops and offices. If there are significant changes, redo the inspection.
- Include Lockout in Safe Work Procedures: Lockout procedures must be included in equipment or truck Safe Work Procedures. Gravity should always be considered as a factor.
BC Forest Safety advisors are available to come to your SAFE Certified worksite and assist you in your safe work procedures. Give them a call at 1.877.741.1060 or reach out by email safeco@bcforestsafe.org to arrange your site visit today.
When a tree falls in a B.C. forest does anyone hear?
Gerry Warner
It’s wildfire season again, a season I’ve always dreaded but now dread even more because thanks to climate change it starts so much earlier than when I was fighting fires in the past. …Incredibly enough, when dangerous wildfires break out today often the first thing our “trained” fire crews do is light a fire. I know this sounds counter-intuitive but it happens all the time. The fires lit are called backfires or controlled burns and they are set to remove “fuel” (trees and brush) between the backfires and the main fire burning out of control which causes it to go out when it hits the burnt over area and runs out of “fuel” to burn. Or so the theory goes. …It was good while it lasted, but in less than a decade, our old growth will be finished and there’ll be nothing left to burn but second growth which burns quickly and easily.
US Lumber Coalition and American Loggers Council Disappointed by CNBC Inaccurate Reporting on US Softwood Lumber Cost, Import Duties and Housing Affordability
“The coverage by CNBC entitled ‘Why The U.S. Might Increase Duties On Canadian Lumber Again‘ is disappointingly one-sided reporting from a business news network. The claims made in the piece asserting that lumber price volatility and import duties on lumber are pricing consumers out of the market are false,” stated Andrew Miller, Chair of the US Lumber Coalition. The reporting included views of Canadian analysts and US homebuilding representatives but, crucially, did not include input from US lumber producers nor US loggers. “Lumber accounts for a very small share of the sales price of a newly constructed home, typically 1%-2%.” …”Commodities other than lumber have seen much larger price increases, including building materials such as iron & steel & concrete,” stated Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director. …”We support President Trump’s plan to further increase the supply of Made in the U.S.A. softwood lumber to build U.S. homes,” concluded Miller.
PORT-CARTIER, QC – Airex Energy, an innovative leader in the development of world-class decarbonization solutions, Groupe Rémabec, a cornerstone of Quebec’s forest industry committed to responsible transformation and decarbonization, and SUEZ, a global leader in circular solutions for water and waste, are inaugurating Carbonity today—the first industrial-scale biochar plant in Canada, located in Port-Cartier. Born from a partnership between the three companies, the plant begins with an annual production capacity of 10,000 tonnes of biochar, which is expected to triple by 2026, making it the largest facility of its kind in North America—and one of the most important globally. Biochar is recognized by the IPCC as one of the most effective technologies to combat climate change due to its long-term carbon sequestration capacity. In addition, its many benefits enhance agricultural resilience, drive sustainable innovation in construction and urban development, and support the decarbonization of heavy industries.
VANCOUVER, BC – West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. released its 2024 Sustainability Report, Building Together: People and Partnerships. The report highlights the Company’s sustainability performance across a variety of environmental, social, and governance goals and disclosed targets. “Since our founding 70 years ago, West Fraser has recognized our responsibility to the environment and society while delivering solid financial performance,” said Sean McLaren, President and CEO, West Fraser. “This report provides some detail about our activities in 2024 and measures the progress we have made toward achieving our goals.” 2024 key achievements highlighted in the report include: Broadening Safety Training and Data Insights; Advancing Our Carbon Reduction Strategy; Driving Sustainable Forest Management & Wood Procurement Traceability; Partnering with Indigenous Nations; and Investing in Communities.