BC Premier Eby says US tariffs would be devastating for the forest industry—while RISI says few lumber traders consider the threat credible. In other Business news: San Group’s mills are impacted by a log shortage; Vanderhoof Chamber explores impact of Canfor’s closures; and Dayton, Ohio may get a new recycled paper mill. Meanwhile: Canada Wood signs MOUs in China; wins two Canada China Business Excellence Awards; and COFI Tokyo celebrates its 50th B-day in Japan.
In Forestry/Climate news: Canada looks on as the World Wildlife Fund says FSC should revoke Domtar’s certification due to APP links; Ontario Nature sees FSC as a means to protect biodiversity; the Tyee asks why isn’t BC thinning more of its forests; the US is suing the group that fenced off Colorado national forest land; and where should the US go on climate now that Trump is in.
Finally, an illuminating hardwood story caps off a very busy day of news. And Happy Thanksgiving to our US readers.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
Trump tariffs are called the latest 
Forestry and forest products provide a serious economic impact for our province. In addition to that, there’s the positive environmental impacts of proper forest management, the good jobs created for Alberta families, and the investment into the communities supported by the forestry and forest products industries. A recent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) highlights that, over the course of one year, Alberta’s forestry industry generated over $14.1 billion in economic activity as well as $2.8 billion in labour income in the province. The total impact figures found in this summary include the sum of direct, indirect and induced economic impacts on Alberta’s economic regions, as well as Alberta and Canada as a whole. Some 30,500 Albertans rely on the forestry industry for their livelihoods. These include workers in small- and mediumsized businesses, repair shops, restaurants, local hardware suppliers, environmental consultants, service providers, and more. 
MONTREAL – Unifor members of Council 4000 and Local 100 at Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with 96% of Local 100 members and 97% of Council 4000 members supporting the mandate, preparing to take action should an agreement not be reached by January 1, 2025. “This overwhelming vote sends a clear message to CN that our members are united and prepared to take action to achieve the fair treatment and respect they deserve,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members have had enough of concessions that erode their rights and livelihoods and they are standing strong to demand a contract that reflects their value and the critical role they play in CN’s success.” The decisive vote underscores the frustration and determination of CN workers who have been advocating for job security, fair compensation and improved working conditions.
Vietnam’s wood processing and export industry is on track to surpass its 2024 export target of 15.2 billion USD, navigating through complicated market developments with strategic adaptability. Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that Vietnam’s wood export turnover in the first 11 months of 2024 was estimated at over 14.6 billion USD. Industry experts said seeing the market’s robust recovery signs, enterprises have proactively outlined production plans and sought new markets. According to Vice Chairman of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Chanh Phuong, the US now accounts for 54% of the Vietnamese wood exports. …Chairman of the Binh Duong Furniture Association Nguyen Liem highlighted the efforts of local firms to bolster shipments, including making innovative product designs that are attracting international customers and pivoting to e-commerce channels, demonstrating flexibility in their sales strategies. 
Earlier this year, the Canadian government released a new housing plan aimed at building more homes and addressing housing unaffordability. As part of that plan, government announced $600 million in funding to build homes cheaper and quicker using “innovative technologies.” The funding is earmarked for building more housing by automating processes and using materials like mass timber construction, robotics and 3D printing. …Building materials like mass timber, including cross-laminated timber (CLT), offer a renewable low-carbon substitute for conventional materials, reducing a building’s carbon footprint. …Piecemeal solutions or standalone initiatives cannot address the housing crisis. Canada needs a holistic and multi-stakeholder approach that bridges the gaps between federal, provincial and municipal governments, and includes the active participation of industry stakeholders and local communities.
When you think of new construction in Metro Vancouver, you think of concrete towers with glass facades. A Metro Vancouver report on rental housing is considering a different approach: Making it easier to build six-storey apartment buildings out of wood. The report’s name is a mouthful, “Streamlining the Delivery of Rental Housing Through Pre-Approved Plans and Off-Site Construction.” But it has a simple goal: making rental housing cheaper to build. Concrete buildings typically cost 20 to 24 per cent more to build than wooden ones. So the report, which will probably go to Metro in January, calls for low-rise wood frame buildings. The report also wants to make it easier to build. “We’re collaborating with B.C. Housing on (ways) to essentially speed up the delivery of six-story rental wood frame apartments,” said Michael Epp, director of housing, planning and development at Metro Vancouver.
Mass timber construction …has exploded in recent years, exemplified by buildings like Ascent, a high-rise in Milwaukee, and the new terminal at the Portland Airport. Industry group Woodworks predicts 20% growth in new projects. And passive house design, the ultra-energy efficient methodology of building, has also exploded, with numerous examples of homes, hospitals, high-rises, and even affordable housing built according to the standard. But this progress is at risk with a new Trump administration coming into power. Proposed tariffs by the incoming Trump administration may increase the prices of many items. But for architects and advocates working on more efficient and sustainable buildings, there’s fear that tariffs could impact specific materials and machines that are key to their work. Higher costs from tariffs, may slow down the pick up of these construction techniques, making such buildings more expensive, and slowing down the effort to cut emissions from buildings and the built environment.
On the whole, modern buildings have large carbon footprints, thanks to pollution-heavy concrete, steel, insulation, and more. …So it’s no surprise that the search is underway to shrink emissions. …These developments are mostly written about in scientific research papers and professional journals … here are just a sampling:
Non-profit organisation Two Sides is calling on organisations to remove or change misleading statements that it labels as ‘greenwashing’. …According to the organisation, economic pressures have caused companies which have previously relied on paper for customer communication to shift from traditional paper-based services to digital platforms, in order to cut costs. Alongside this transition, many companies have made environmental marketing claims such as “Go Green – Go Paperless” or “Choose e-billing and help save a tree.” But according to Two Sides, these claims are misleading, and are clear examples of greenwashing. …Two Sides has challenged over 2,800 organisations communicating these greenwashing messages to their customers, resulting in more than 1,260 changing or removing statements. …“Far from ‘saving trees,’ a healthy market for forest products and paper encourages the long-term growth of forests through sustainable forest management.”
In this newsletter, headlines include:
Thunder Bay, Ontario
IDAHO, USA — Placerville is nestled behind Bogus Basin, in the Boise National Forest. The town of 53 is known for its forest solitude – but that isn’t what home insurance companies are looking for. Resident Steve Koppes was dropped from his home insurance company a year and half ago, because his home was in a wildfire-prone area. “I didn’t get notification, I didn’t get reasons. I was just dropped,” Koppes said. Koppes had had the same insurance for years, and never had a claim of any kind. …Each city is ranked on a scale by the Idaho Insurance Ratings Bureau, and Placerville has sat at a level eight since 2010. “The higher the number, the worse off you are,” Placerville Fire Chief Andrew Bourett said. He has done everything he could to make that rating lower – to make getting home insurance easier – but it’s a challenge because of Placerville’s remote location.
PORT ANGELES — Tree advocates have been partially successful in postponing the logging of forests owned by the state Department of Natural Resources and located within the Elwha watershed region, and they plan to continue their efforts until they achieve full success. At the November Board of Natural Resources (BNR) meeting, Hilary Franz, state commissioner of public lands and chair of the board, placed a pause on the Elwha Watershed “Alley Cat” timber sale. Franz said she pulled the sale from the agenda due to a conversation she had with Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe chairwoman Frances Charles and the desire to have “government-to-government consideration.” Despite advocacy efforts that included a petition with more than 300 signatures and a letter-writing campaign that generated more than 6,165 letters, the six-person BNR approved two other Elwha watershed sales, “Tree Well” and “Parched.” Individuals against those sales said that the “legacy forests” were the “old growth forests of tomorrow.”
Regina, SK – Carbon RX Inc. is proud to announce a new partnership with the Pimicikamak Cree Nation to assist in forest management and preservation of First Nation lands in Manitoba. The project includes 3 million acres of traditional lands in the Canadian boreal forest, home to the Pimicikamak people. “We are the original keepers of the land,” said Chief David Monias, Chief of Pimicikamak. “As part of our inherent rights, we proudly hold historic environmental sovereignty over our traditional lands. We can use modern techniques like carbon crediting to protect and preserve these lands for the next generation. We encourage other Nations to do the same.” First Nation forests generate carbon credits by acting as Mother Earth’s solar panels and absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. When a forest is managed sustainably or restored, the additional carbon sequestered can be quantified and verified as carbon credits.
In this issue of the Health and Safety News you’ll find these and other headlines:
Crews with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service are fighting a wildfire in Ocean County. Officials say that the fire is near Pine Park and the Lakewood Country Club in Lakewood. As of Monday evening, the fire is impacting 33 acres of land and is 20% contained. Officials say that no buildings are in danger because of this fire. They previously stated that six buildings were threatened. No evacuation orders have been given. …The fire comes as New Jersey experiences a record-breaking dry spell. There is currently a drought warning in effect. Officials say that New Jersey is in a Stage 3 fire restriction because of drought conditions. According to the state Forest Fire Service, crews have responded to over 500 wildfires since October. They say that this is over a 1,300% increase in wildfires over the same time last year.