The Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate to 2.5% with a warning that more increases may be needed. In related news: Ontario’s residential builders said tariffs add to costs; US new home sales declined in September; US consumer confidence ticked up in October; and the US Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates steady. In Business news: Canfor Southern Pine is modernizing its Arkansas operations; UPM reported lower Q3 earnings; Canada–US trade discussions show little signs of progress; and Brazil’s pulp industry faces tariff and deforestation-compliance challenges.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: BC’s new Conservative government outlined its forestry commitments; logging near Castlegar’s old-growth drew protests; a Canadian filmmaker examines Finnish wildfire prevention practices; and experts debate the need for more Canadian water bombers. Meanwhile: the National Association of State Foresters announced their 2026 Smokey Bear winners; Canada faces potential EU carbon tariffs; and a new report links wildfire smoke to rising mortality in Canada.

Finally, could harvesting pine resin help protect Portugal’s forests from wildfires?

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor