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The Tree Frog Forestry News
June 1, 2026
Category: Today's Takeaway
Hello early bird! We just want you to know that the news team is busy adding stories to this page. Be sure to check back at 9:00 am (PST) for the full line up of articles.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City to maintain rail operations across Canada during International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker strike
By Canadian Pacific Kansas City
PR Newswire
May 31, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada
CALGARY, AB – Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today said it has implemented contingency plans to maintain railway operations across Canada following the International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker (IBEW) Canadian Signals and Communications System Council No. 11’s rejection of CPKC’s latest contract offers. The IBEW, representing approximately 300 Signals & Communications employees in Canada, launched a strike at 08:00 MDT Sunday, May 31. Safe and efficient rail service has continued. After spending months bargaining in good faith, CPKC is disappointed that a work stoppage could not be prevented. CPKC has presented a fair and balanced proposal with wage and benefit increases consistent with collective agreements currently in place with all our other unions across Canada. We continue to encourage IBEW to end its strike and accept binding arbitration.
Trump plans to appeal ruling letting importers seek refunds of paid struck-down tariffs
By Anne D’Innocenzio and Lisa Leff
PBS News
May 30, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States
Businesses big and small have started receiving tariff refunds after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump lacked the constitutional authority to impose higher import taxes on goods from nearly every other country. The process could grind to a halt, however, after the Trump administration said Friday that it intended to appeal a federal judge’s order to allow all companies that paid the invalidated duties to seek refunds, not just the ones that filed lawsuits. Until the Department of Justice informed the judge of its planned appeal, the refund system overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection had been working fairly smoothly. Refunds reached the bank accounts of the first successful applicants on May 12. …Applications for refunds totaling $85 billion — more than half of the $166 billion the agency estimated the government owes to companies that paid the tariffs on imported goods — were accepted for processing as of May 22
Wildfire activity low so far — but a hot and dry summer could change that, officials warn
By Peter Zimonjic
CBC News
May 28, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
The start to the 2026 wildfire season has been slow with the number of fires raging across the country well below average, but government officials warn that as the summer progresses there’s a risk things could get much worse. “Despite the fact that we’re seeing so little activity so far this year … this summer retains the potential to be a significant one right across the country,” a government official said Thursday during a technical briefing. The official said that while the wildfire risk is unlikely to result in a record-breaking year like 2023 or 2025, the federal government is forecasting above average conditions as the season progresses. Whether that happens depends, officials explained, on what happens to the weather over the next few months. If the above average temperatures predicted for across the county come to pass, B.C. faces the highest wildfire risk, particularly in July.
B.C. Lions roar into Langford with assist for province wildfire program
By Ben Fenlon
Victoria News
May 30, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
For the B.C. Lions, wildfire safety and preparedness is a team effort. The CFL club has announced a new partnership to help champion B.C.’s FireSmart program, amplifying wildfire prevention and preparedness messaging across the province. The Lions have teamed up with Port Alberni-based aerial firefighting company Coulson Aviation for the campaign, while FireSmart has invested $17,000 to leverage the team’s extensive reach through digital and radio advertising, including live game broadcasts on 730 CKNW. During the off-season, wildfire resiliency messaging will also be delivered directly to students through B.C. Lions school visits, with the goal of empowering young people to be equipped to protect their own turf. …Minister of Forests and MLA for Langford-Highlands Ravi Parmar said the event demonstrated what can be achieved when communities work together to reduce wildfire risk.
A new logging road project on the Sunshine Coast has drawn concern from local environmental advocates. At the same time, provincial officials say the work is designed to improve access and protect water resources. The Ministry of Forests confirmed to Coast Reporter that it is responsible for the road-building contract tied to Timber Sale Licence A94817. This project will see “just over 4km” of new road constructed to “move industrial traffic away from high-use public roads” and to create long-term access for multiple user groups. The ministry also said that the design has “enhanced overland techniques to minimize impacts to ground water,” along with water-quality monitoring and environmental oversight. However, Elphinstone Logging Focus’s (ELF) Ross Muirhead says the scope of the project is unusual for the region, saying four kilometres of brand new logging road is “unprecedented” on the Coast and that most projects are much shorter.
Wildfires are destroying trees faster than we are replacing them
By Karen Pauls
CBC News
May 30, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West
MANITOBA — A northern Manitoba tree-planting program is trying to replace trees destroyed by wildfires, but the cancellation of the federal two billion trees program is making that more challenging. In 2016, this forest in Manitoba’s Interlake region, about 300 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, was devastated by a jack pine budworm infestation. It was starting to regenerate when wildfire ravaged the Devils Lake area in 2021. Areas just north are already burning this spring. Marley Moose says she felt sad when she returned to the forest three years ago as part of a tree-planting program through Nekoté LP, an Indigenous-owned corporation representing seven Swampy Cree First Nations in northern and central Manitoba. According to the Canadian Tree Nursery Association (CTNA), the country is losing trees faster than nature can grow them or people can plant them.
Returning to the BC Forest Safety Council as CEO feels like coming home. Before moving east to lead the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association as CEO, I spent six years here at BCFSC as Director of SAFE Companies. Those years gave me a deep appreciation for this industry, the people who work in it, and the incredible commitment that exists across British Columbia in keeping forestry workers safe. While I was back in Newfoundland and Labrador, part of that move was personal. I returned to be closer to my father after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Some of my favourite moments during that time were walking the wood paths with him on our family land and visiting the old sawmill my great-grandparents once operated. …Over the course of more than three decades in health and safety leadership, across three provinces, multiple industries, government and workers’ compensation systems, I’ve learned something that continues to shape my leadership philosophy: There is no magic bullet when it comes to safety.
Interpretation of misrepresentation for classification changes
WorkSafeBC
May 29, 2026
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West
Classification change policy in the Assessment Manual lists the possible reasons for changing a firm’s classification. Under this policy, a firm’s failure to provide timely, complete, and accurate information to WorkSafeBC, and to respond promptly to information requests or information provided by WorkSafeBC (the positive duties), is addressed under the heading of fraud or misrepresentation. This creates confusion when the contravention is inadvertent. Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to policy in the Assessment Manual to clarify how a contravention of the positive duties is interpreted in the context of classification change. The discussion paper and information on how to provide feedback can be found here: Proposed amendments to policy on the interpretation of misrepresentation for classification changes. You’re invited to provide feedback until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026. WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors will consider feedback before making a decision on the proposed amendments.
People ‘on edge’ in northwestern Manitoba as heat, fires return to area scorched last year
By Darren Bernhardt
CBC News
May 29, 2026
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West
Seven fires were burning at one point Thursday in northwestern Manitoba between The Pas and Cranberry Portage, reigniting fears embedded by the ferocious 2025 wildfire season. “The last couple of years we’ve had some pretty intense situations,” said Lori Forbes, the municipal emergency co-ordinator for the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, which encompasses 10 communities in that region. “So I think everyone that lives here and was part of last year is … pretty much on edge, especially with this heat wave we’re going to be receiving.” She expects there will be fires over the next few months, “but hopefully they can be managed by Manitoba Wildfire Service and we can all enjoy our summer like we deserve. “Every year we do this, we’re a little better prepared.” The fires burning Thursday were all around Egg Lake, on the west side of Highway 10.
Hello early bird! We just want you to know that the news team is busy adding stories to this page. Be sure to check back at 9:00 am (PST) for the full line up of articles.
Businesses big and small have started receiving tariff refunds after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump lacked the constitutional authority to impose higher import taxes on goods from nearly every other country. The process could grind to a halt, however, after the Trump administration said Friday that it intended to appeal a federal judge’s order to allow all companies that paid the invalidated duties to seek refunds, not just the ones that filed lawsuits. Until the Department of Justice informed the judge of its planned appeal, the refund system overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection had been working fairly smoothly. Refunds reached the bank accounts of the first successful applicants on May 12. …Applications for refunds totaling $85 billion — more than half of the $166 billion the agency estimated the government owes to companies that paid the tariffs on imported goods — were accepted for processing as of May 22
The start to the 2026 wildfire season has been slow with the number of fires raging across the country well below average, but government officials warn that as the summer progresses there’s a risk things could get much worse. “Despite the fact that we’re seeing so little activity so far this year … this summer retains the potential to be a significant one right across the country,” a government official said Thursday during a technical briefing. The official said that while the wildfire risk is unlikely to result in a record-breaking year like 2023 or 2025, the federal government is forecasting above average conditions as the season progresses. Whether that happens depends, officials explained, on what happens to the weather over the next few months. If the above average temperatures predicted for across the county come to pass, B.C. faces the highest wildfire risk, particularly in July.
A new logging road project on the Sunshine Coast has drawn concern from local environmental advocates. At the same time, provincial officials say the work is designed to improve access and protect water resources. The Ministry of Forests confirmed to Coast Reporter that it is responsible for the road-building contract tied to Timber Sale Licence A94817. This project will see “just over 4km” of new road constructed to “move industrial traffic away from high-use public roads” and to create long-term access for multiple user groups. The ministry also said that the design has “enhanced overland techniques to minimize impacts to ground water,” along with water-quality monitoring and environmental oversight. However, Elphinstone Logging Focus’s (ELF) Ross Muirhead says the scope of the project is unusual for the region, saying four kilometres of brand new logging road is “unprecedented” on the Coast and that most projects are much shorter.
MANITOBA — A northern Manitoba tree-planting program is trying to replace trees destroyed by wildfires, but the cancellation of the federal two billion trees program is making that more challenging. In 2016, this forest in Manitoba’s Interlake region, about 300 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, was devastated by a jack pine budworm infestation. It was starting to regenerate when wildfire ravaged the Devils Lake area in 2021. Areas just north are already burning this spring. Marley Moose says she felt sad when she returned to the forest three years ago as part of a tree-planting program through Nekoté LP, an Indigenous-owned corporation representing seven Swampy Cree First Nations in northern and central Manitoba. According to the Canadian Tree Nursery Association (CTNA), the country is losing trees faster than nature can grow them or people can plant them.
Classification change policy in the Assessment Manual lists the possible reasons for changing a firm’s classification. Under this policy, a firm’s failure to provide timely, complete, and accurate information to WorkSafeBC, and to respond promptly to information requests or information provided by WorkSafeBC (the positive duties), is addressed under the heading of fraud or misrepresentation. This creates confusion when the contravention is inadvertent. Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to policy in the Assessment Manual to clarify how a contravention of the positive duties is interpreted in the context of classification change. The discussion paper and information on how to provide feedback can be found here: 