As the 100th anniversary of National Forest Week is celebrated across the country, Forest Products Association of Canada is using the opportunity to announce the recipients of its annual Awards of Excellence program. 2020 has been a year like no other and we have witnessed – firsthand – the resilience and commitment of our forest professionals and communities. Throughout it all, our people continued to produce essential products, safely sustain communities, and keep vital supply chains moving. Winners have been selected across several categories, including forest community champions, industry partners, Indigenous leadership, women in forestry, rising stars, innovation, and lifetime achievement.
FOREST COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
The Honourable Lisa Raitt – former MP for Milton, Ontario and Cabinet Minister
William Amos – MP for Pontiac, Quebec and Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry
Walt Cobb – Mayor, Williams Lake, British Columbia
Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Edward Wawia, Northern Superior Region, Anishinabek Nation
FPAC PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta – Ecosystem Management Emulating Natural Disturbance project
Ducks Unlimited Canada – Forest Management Wetlands Stewardship Initiative, Boreal Conservation Programs
FPAC OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD
Louise Riopel – Millar Western, Edmonton, Alberta
Kevin Larlee – AV Group, Nackawic, New Brunswick
FPAC / CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR ABORIGINAL BUSINESS INDIGENOUS BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Alain Paul – Granules LG Inc., Mashteuiatsh, Quebec
FPAC / CANADIAN COUNCIL OF FOREST MINISTERS’ SKILLS AWARD FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH
Autumn Quenville – Thunder Bay, Ontario
Raven Cardinal – Edmonton, Alberta
Hunter Corbiere – Waubaushene, Ontario
FPAC INNOVATION AWARD
Bonny Wood, Resolute Forest Products, Thunder Bay, Ontario
FPAC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Margaret Donnelly – Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc., Boyle, Alberta
Cindy Macdonald – West Fraser, Vancouver, British Columbia
Mark Feldinger – Canfor, Vancouver, British Columbia
FPAC WOMEN IN FORESTRY AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Charlene Strelaeff – Mercer Celgar, Castlegar, British Columbia
FPAC RISING STAR AWARD
Faye Cuadra – Canfor Pulp, Prince George, British Columbia
For the first time in CIF-IFC’s history, the 2020 National Conference and 112th AGM will be hosted in a completely virtual format. The forest sector continues to be dynamic and show resilience, despite the unprecedented challenges not seen in the modern era. This year’s theme “Diversity & Innovation – Cultivating Resilience in Forestry” recognizes that creative thinking by a diverse and inclusive network will foster the development of the forest sector’s capacity to adapt and recover from adversity. Join fellow forest practitioners and professionals from coast to coast and abroad as we highlight the emergence of innovative technologies, practices and research that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and mitigate climate change. The contribution of Indigenous Peoples to sustainable forest management in Canada, and the indispensability of their inclusion will be showcased. Themed sessions on international forestry perspectives, caribou management in Canada, and diversity and inclusion in the forest sector will be featured. New and emerging uses of wood as a sustainable, green resource will also be explored.
A/Wood Markets 10th annual Global Softwood Log and Lumber conference—the virtual version, wrapped yesterday with six live Q&A sessions and a discussion on global mega-trends and their potential long-term impact post COVID-19. FEA’s current forecast calls for the overall economy to return to where it was in the fourth quarter of 2019— in the second half of 2022, whereas softwood lumber and other forest product consumption will regain their 2019-Q4 levels sometime in 2021. Underlying the FEA forecast… housing will outperform the US economy …employment recovery will struggle somewhat due to a second wave of lay-offs of higher earning employees …due to a flair-up and other concerns in China and South Korea, reduced COVID-19 recovery optimism suggests the economy will experience sluggish growth until a vaccine is found. …Responding to a question on the outlook for a resolution to the softwood lumber dispute in the next year or two, Paul Jannke responded that the parties are further apart rather than closer together—given current markets.
We’re creating a virtual event that will go on for two weeks, starting September 21, 2020. During this time, students will be able to learn about new opportunities in forestry and find out more about industry leaders in their fields. Unlike similar events happening online right now, we’re choosing to take a slightly different approach by focusing more on engagement using quizzes, forms, video, and more. This way, we’re able to stay away from hosting Live video conferencing and other forms of content that require exhibitors and participants to be together in real-time. Once registered to exhibit, organizations will be asked to complete an online form to supply us with your content (such as videos or infographics, pictures and links, handouts, and more) prior to the event. Using all of this information, our team will create their unique booth experience. They’ll also be able to create short video clips showing what working or partaking in your programs might look like. Students will be able to submit their information to exhibitors they are most interested in after browsing through your information. This way you’ll have a list of candidates with all of their information at your fingertips.
With the list of cancelled and postponed conferences growing, and COVID-19 isolation periods stretching longer into the future, many of us are getting a little stir crazy. In fact, some are downright lonesome. What started out as a novelty that felt a bit like a super-extended long weekend has lost its luster, and many in the forest sector are yearning for the connections and social engagements of pre-virus days. So, to try and bring you all just a little bit closer together, the Tree Frog News is opening our very own ‘ICU’, and you’re all invited to enter!