As industries increasingly adopt sustainability considerations across their value chains, the importance of environmental product declarations (EPD) cannot be overstated. By systematically assessing the environmental impacts of a product from cradle to grave, businesses can gain valuable insight into their supply chain, pinpoint areas for improvement, and make informed strategic decisions that align with both regulatory requirements and customer expectations. As stakeholders increasingly demand accountability and verifiable environmental performance, embracing EPDs becomes a cornerstone of a forward-thinking and resilient sustainability strategy.
2024 has been an interesting year on a number of fronts. More importantly, it marked BCFSC commemorating 20 years of service to the industry, where a number of Forest Safety News stories were shared over the course of the year through the lens of industry and staff reflecting on the forest industry’s journey to improving safety. The first theme shared in these stories related to acknowledging the history of the unacceptable number of injuries and work-related deaths. The second theme that emerged highlighted the efforts of industry pulling together to make dynamic and positive change.
The list of British Columbia forest product companies in financial trouble grows. San Industries and associated companies have 
Another B.C. sawmill company has filed for creditor protection and is planning a restructuring, underscoring the critical state of B.C.’s forest sector. The San Group has received creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, as it undertakes a restructuring. Deloitte Restructuring Inc. has been appointed the company’s monitor. …In 2022, San Group announced the acquisition of Acorn Forest Products in Delta from Interfor. In April this year, the Acorn Forest Products mill was shut down when it was damaged by fire. According to documents filed with Deloitte Restructuring, Acorn Forest Products owes the Vancouver Port Authority $1.9 million in rent. …Under court ordered creditor protection, San Group… can carry on their business “in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with the preservation of the business and the property. …In October, liens were placed on the company’s Port Alberni sawmill lands as security for nearly $22 million owed to the province in stumpage fees.
The Alberta Forest Products Association just wrapped up our 82nd AGM and conference. This year’s event was held in Banff, which is new for us, as we’ve been going to Jasper for decades. Sadly, the fires in Jasper meant that community was not able to host us this year. As an industry, we are heartbroken to see what happened in Jasper. We were also very saddened to learn that firefighter Morgan Kitchen was killed fighting the Jasper fire. Our wildland firefighters make tremendous sacrifices to protect our communities and deserve our gratitude. …the AGM was a great opportunity celebrate our successes as an industry and as an association. Despite ups and downs in markets and in the forest industry across Canada, Alberta has remained relatively stable. This means that we are able to not only focus on the present, but also on the future. Three initiatives that we are especially proud of are the Work Wild Program, Love Alberta Forests campaign, and our Forestry Talks podcast.
Ever since it was barely re-elected, the BC NDP government has promised a renewed focus on growing the economy, creating jobs and generating new sources of revenue. So it is perhaps surprising to hear that since the election, no cabinet ministers, nor the premier himself, have responded to requests to sit down and hear out a series of increasingly urgent concerns from the province’s top business leaders. …None of the ministers responsible for economic growth have responded to a meeting request from the so-called “G7” of B.C.’s business community — [which includes]… the Council of Forest Industries. …The groups issued a letter calling on all parties to prioritize the “deeply concerning” deterioration of the B.C. economy. …“Forestry has shed over 10,000 direct jobs in just four years and hundreds of millions of dollars of lost investment.
After 14 years of dedicated leadership, Dr. Charles Jago is stepping down as Chair of the Sinclar Group Forest Products Board of Directors. …Charles is a long-serving community member of northern BC, providing leadership and valued guidance on the boards of several local institutions. He is a former President of the University of Northern British Columbia and the namesake of the Charles Jago Northern Sport Center. …On behalf of the Sinclar Board of Directors, I express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Charles Jago for his leadership and commitment to the success of our company. With Dr. Jago’s departure, I am pleased to introduce our new Board Chair, Betty Ann Shiels. Betty Ann is a long-time resident of Prince George. She obtained her B. Comm from the University of Alberta and began her career in Prince George with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. She … was an Assurance and Advisory partner with Deloitte for 20 years…
The Truck Loggers Association (TLA) is an advocacy organization seeking a dynamic and visionary executive director to lead our organization in lobbying government for fair policies to meet the needs of our members. The executive director will play a key role in shaping the future of the association by effectively influencing policymakers, ensuring membership growth, and advancing the interests of forest dependent contractors, suppliers and communities who depend on a sustainable forest industry. The executive director is responsible for executing effective advocacy, delivering strategic leadership, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Truck Loggers Association including member services, communications, and financial management. This individual will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, and key stakeholders to further the TLA’s mission and vision. This is a full-time permanent position. This is a remote-work position requiring regular travel to meetings and events throughout the province.
VANCOUVER — Western Forest Products announced that the Company and the United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 (USW) have agreed to the terms of a tentative collective agreement. The USW represents approximately 1,000 Western employees. The tentative agreement is subject to a ratification vote by USW membership, which is expected to occur before the end of the year. The USW bargaining committee has advised that they will be recommending that its members accept this agreement. …Steven Hofer, President and CEO of Western Forest Products said, “A new collective agreement will provide critical business certainty to the Company as we look to accelerate the transition to higher value products through reinvestment in our operations. I want to thank the bargaining team members for their work to deliver a fair and balanced agreement.”
When U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he would immediately put tariffs on all goods being imported from Canada, Mexico, and China, people sat up and paid attention. Not just politicians but the general populations of the countries involved, even Americans. …A tariff is a tax or import duty placed by one country on imports from another country or countries. It effectively raises the cost of bringing foreign goods into a country and is usually used as a form of political leverage, a form of increasing revenues or to protect domestic industries by the importing country. Perhaps the best-known tariff currently in place against Canada is the softwood lumber tariff. …This added cost to our lumber makes it more expensive to U.S. buyers than a U.S.-produced product. …A tariff is a lose/lose deal.
Quebec’s premier is raising concerns about the potential impact of the tariff proposed by US president-elect on the province’s forest industry. In a statement posted to social media on Sunday, François Legault said high interest rates and existing duties on softwood lumber were already putting pressure on the sector, which he said accounts for more than 50,000 jobs in Quebec. “It will be important to protect our economy and our businesses in the coming months, and we are already working on our strategy with the relevant ministers within the government,” he wrote in French. “I have great admiration for all the workers in our forestry industry, whether they are in logging, transportation, sawmills or reforestation.” Legault’s comments echo those of BC Premier David Eby. …“Even before Mr. Trump’s announcement, we were working to support a Quebec industry that is already affected by tariffs in the US: the forestry industry,” Legault said.
A group of UBC academics has compiled a list of ways to ensure this Christmas has as little effect on the environment as possible. …“Natural Christmas trees are more sustainable than artificial ones, which produce three times the emissions,” says Jiaying Zhao, associate professor in the department of psychology and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. She—also suggests renting potted Christmas trees. Johan Foster, a professor of chemical and biological engineering, says most fake Christmas trees contain polyvinyl chloride or PVC, which sheds microplastics indoors and is not good for children or pets. …Guangyu Wang, an associate professor in the faculty of forestry, suggests using a real Christmas tree and planting it in a biodegradable pot, which eliminates the environmental impacts of disposal, allows the tree to continue sequestering carbon and prevents methane emissions from trees decomposing in landfills.
We are informed that Jackson Wijaya is becoming the beneficial owner of both Domtar, formerly known as Paper Excellence, and Asia Pulp and Paper (APP). Domtar is a company in good standing that has maintained FSC certification since 2008, covering over 7 million ha of forest area, as well as mills and processing plants. 
TORONTO
The live Christmas tree industry is experiencing a resurgence, but B.C. farmers are finding it hard to meet rising customer demand. In the last six years—more B.C. consumers have looked to purchase a live Christmas tree says BC Christmas Tree Association president Paul Huesken. The first reason is the experiential part of going out and cutting down a tree. …The second factor is consumers becoming more conscientious about their carbon footprints. …2024 has been one of the best growing seasons in the last decade due to summer rain. …Nevertheless, rising demand and a decline in farms due to land costs and succession challenges has created a significant shortage of trees in B.C. …Two of the most significant challenges facing businesses are the cost of land and the six to 10 years of intensive labour required to grow a Christmas tree … forcing BC to source roughly 400,000 trees annually from outside the province.
Executive Director’s Message: October was a significant month for Woodlots BC, marked by key accomplishments in strategic planning, conference organization, and internal organizational changes. Now that the restructuring has settled down the Board of Directors for Woodlots BC have started to meet on a quarterly basis. Most of the changes and restructuring have been completed. Strategic Plan: The organization started a Strategic Review of the Woodlots BC by meeting for two days before the Conference in Quesnel. This process was facilitated by Tom Lewis. We are currently creating 4 objectives that we will focus on over the next while in order to advocate for the Woodlot Licence program. Click the Read More below to see the full newsletter with Conference Coverage, Minister’s Award Recipient, Executive Director’s Report, Commercial Thinning and Moose, Woodlots BC Bursary Recipient, New Board Members, Four Steps to Burning, and CBST Guidelines.
The scientific evidence behind glyphosate’s dangers is overwhelming—and infuriating. Glyphosate doesn’t stop at the plants it’s meant to kill. It contaminates everything in its path, infiltrating the food chain and leaving behind a legacy of harm… Even if Ontario banned glyphosate tomorrow, the chemical’s impact would linger for years. It persists in the soil, where it continues to harm microorganisms and plants. The forests we love may take decades to recover, and some ecosystems may never fully return to their original state. This isn’t just a fight for today; it’s a fight for the future. Quebec has already banned glyphosate in forestry. European countries like Austria and Germany are phasing it out. These regions recognize that short-term convenience isn’t worth long-term destruction. So why is Ontario still clinging to outdated, harmful practices?
From December 2, 2024, to February 28, 2025, WorkSafeBC is accepting expressions of interest from providers seeking to offer training that requires approval by WorkSafeBC. We are now accepting expressions of interest for the following training: