Blog Archives

Rob Kozak

70 years ago, a group of forestry students in Sopron, Hungary, made a difficult journey that would shape our Faculty forever. After the 1956 revolution, hundreds of Sopron students and faculty left Hungary. Many from the forestry community found a new home at UBC, where the Sopron Division carried on their education. That story is part of who we are, and the connection with Sopron remains a living legacy. This week, Dean Rob Kozak joined the Universities of Sopron and Miskolc to mark the 70th anniversary of the events of 1956. The University of Sopron’s Senate awarded Dean Kozak a Doctors Honoris Causa, recognizing the enduring bond between our two institutions. “The story of Sopron foresters is a defining moment in the history of the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at The University of British Columbia, and I am abundantly aware that I would not be where I am had it not been for the bravery of the generation of Hungarians that came before me. …As a link that binds our two institutions, our two traditions, the two homes of the Sopron foresters, I promise to keep this story alive. Let us all do the same.” – Rob Kozak.

Watch how a perfect storm of economic factors has pushed B.C.’s forestry industry—and the thousands of good jobs it creates—to the brink of collapse. Unifor members are fighting for forestry and proposing solutions to keep forestry communities alive.

Tla’amin Territory – Western Forest Products Inc. and Qwoqwnes Forestry Holdings Limited Partnership, an entity beneficially owned and controlled by Tla’amin Nation, announced today the completion of a previously announced agreement pursuant to which Qwoqwnes has acquired a 100% ownership interest in the assets comprising Western’s Stillwater Forest Operation, located near Powell River, British Columbia, for aggregate proceeds of approximately $80.0 million after adjustments. The Stillwater Forest Operation includes Tree Farm Licence 39, formerly known as Block 1 which covers approximately 154,000 hectares of forest land, the majority of which is located in the traditional territory of Tla’amin Nation. Qwoqwnes, through the business of Thichum Forest Products, will manage an allowable annual cut of 469,200 cubic metres of timber from TFL 39. In connection with the completion of the Transaction, Qwoqwnes and Western have entered into a long-term fibre supply agreement to sell timber harvested from TFL 39 to Western intended to support Western’s BC coastal manufacturing operations. 

Additional coverage by:

• The Canadian Press: BC First Nation buys major Sunshine Coast forestry operation in $80M deal
• Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation: Historic Federal Loan Guarantee Enables Tla’amin Nation to Acquire Forestry Business

Mosaic Forest Management has earned its second consecutive Gold certification, the highest level available through the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business’s (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program. The certification was awarded by an independent panel of Indigenous business professionals, recognizing Mosaic’s performance across PAIR’s four core performance pillars: leadership, employment, business development and community relationships. Mosaic’s operations on Vancouver Island and the B.C. coast overlap the territories of 48 First Nations across four cultural groups. The company’s business spans forestry, real estate, carbon, clean energy and recreation. CCIB is a national, nonpartisan organization that works to strengthen the Indigenous economy and build relationships between Indigenous businesses and the wider business community. 

The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2027 COFI Convention, taking place April 7–9, 2027, at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre. Under the theme “Forestry is a Solution,” the Convention will bring together leaders from industry, government, First Nations and communities to advance practical solutions to improve competitiveness and secure a strong, sustainable future for British Columbia’s forest sector. B.C.’s forest sector is at a critical turning point. Despite significant challenges, forestry has an important role to play in addressing some of the province’s biggest priorities: building homes, reducing wildfire risk, advancing reconciliation and strengthening the economy. With a new provincial government taking shape, the 2027 Convention presents a timely opportunity for industry leaders and decision-makers to come together and advance the actions needed to restore competitiveness, improve access to wood and attract investment. The event will help build the partnerships and momentum needed to turn shared priorities into meaningful action. Registration is now open, with an Early Bird Discount of $100 available for delegates.

ATHABASCA – During the Alberta Women’s Science Network’s October WinSTEM week Lisa Hall was awarded the Minerva Award… recognizing more than 30 years of working to increase inclusivity in the STEM field. From her time at the University of Alberta to her current role at Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries (Al-Pac), Lisa Hall has worked to bring inclusivity to her field, mentoring young women and pushing for changes all while developing her own career and professional skill set. In 2021, Hall moved to Athabasca for a new role at Al-Pac where she currently works as the director of production, overseeing the mill site, maintenance and technical services, and production. Since she joined the company, she’s worked to bring young minds into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), through co-ops, internships, and programs at local high schools.

Gillfor Manufacturing Inc. is pleased to announce that its acquisition of the Teal-Jones Group’s Surrey, Sumas, and TFL 46 operations has been officially completed, pursuant to the British Columbia Supreme Court reverse vesting order granted on September 18, 2026. Gillfor is now the sole owner of these operations and has full control of the business going forward. This acquisition preserves vital forestry infrastructure and hundreds of jobs, supports local communities, and strengthens the foundation of British Columbia’s coastal forest industry. Under the reverse vesting order, all excluded pre-closing claims and liabilities have been transferred out of the business and remain with the CCAA estate, administered by the Monitor. The new Teal-Jones Group operations continue under Gillfor’s ownership on a clean footing. All claims, invoices, or issues up to and including October 30, 2026 must be directed to the Court-appointed Monitor, Ernst & Young Inc. …The Teal-Jones Group operating name will remain, and contact personnel are unchanged. 

The BC First Nations Forestry Council’s October newsletter highlights growing efforts to ensure First Nations leadership in BC’s forest sector transformation. CEO Lennard Joe raises concerns about the incoming provincial government’s intention to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), emphasizing the importance of collaboration, rights and long-term investment certainty. In other news, the BC Assembly of First Nations endorsed six recommendations from the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force, while Lennard Joe and Policy Program Manager Tiffany Butler-Hernández travelled to Ottawa to advance First Nations forestry priorities, funding opportunities and market access. The newsletter also features an interview with Lennard Joe on Indigenous forestry leadership, new business and partnership opportunities involving GIS, fibre utilization and wildfire mitigation, and funding deadlines for rural economic development and forest resilience projects. Additional resources address wildfire salvage agreements, recovery funding and the future of BC’s forest industry.

MACKENZIE, BC — …Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced an $11 million investment through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) for Conifex Timber Inc. to modernize its operations. Conifex operates a facility in Mackenzie that produces wood products and bioenergy for Canadian and international markets and supports hundreds of jobs in northern B.C. This support consists of a repayable investment of $10 million and a non-repayable investment of $1 million that will help Conifex increase productivity, enhance product quality, and lower production costs by upgrading transfer systems, modernizing five kilns and installing automated production equipment. These improvements will strengthen Conifex’s competitiveness and position the company for long-term success in Canadian and international markets.