Prime Minister Carney relaunched Canada’s advisory council on US relations ahead of upcoming CUSMA review. In related news: the US begins its tariff refund program, but consumers are unlikely to benefit; Ottawa launches inquiry into imported wood products; BC Premier Eby backs reset on DRIPA with First Nations; and Virginia’s governor creates a Wood Council to grow forestry industry. Meanwhile: Rayonier’s CEO resigns as company weighs sale; Castlegar grants Mercer a tax extension; and Nanaimo Forest Products’ rezoning proposal draws near-record crowds.
In Forestry/Wildfire news: the Forest Enhancement Society of BC marks its 10th anniversary; Edmonton released a new wildfire risk strategy; Nk’Mip Forestry leads SFI-supported wildfire recovery project; New Hampshire says drought conditions are statewide; ENGOs oppose logging in Michigan; and a study on the decline of Oregon’s Douglas fir trees. Meanwhile: the Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s Sept conference; and early notice of BC Wood’s Global Buyers Mission.
Finally, a Fraser Institute report says Canada’s air quality is the cleanest it’s been in 50 yrs.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Carney has 
The Trump administration has begun processing refunds for billions of dollars in tariffs that the US Supreme Court struck down in February. In what is to be the biggest repayment programme in history, companies can apply online for money they were charged under the “Liberation Day” tariffs – plus interest – to be returned. …But individual consumers, who were hit by the tariffs indirectly through higher prices, are not expected to be compensated. …”All importers of record whose entries were subject to IEEPA duties are entitled to the benefit” from the high court’s ruling, Judge Richard Eaton wrote. As of early April, more than 56,000 importers had completed the necessary steps to apply for refunds online when the portal opened, with their claims worth $127bn. The portal, known as the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (Cape), went live on Monday. 
OTTAWA — The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, said “in response to a formal request from the Canadian Wood Products Alliance, the government has directed the Canadian International Trade Tribunal to conduct an inquiry on global imports of solid and engineered wood cabinets and vanities, solid and engineered hardwood flooring, and engineered wood storage furniture. The Tribunal will have 270 days to determine if increased imports of these products are causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to Canadian wood product manufacturers, and to make recommendations to the government on appropriate remedies.”… “If the Tribunal finds that safeguard measures are warranted, the government will take appropriate action, in accordance with international trade rules.”
NANAIMO, BC — The debate over a contentious rezoning proposal came to a head Thursday night at Nanaimo council, with what may have been a record crowd for the public hearing. …At stake, Nanaimo Forest Products, which owns Harmac Pacific, wants to rezone roughly 72 hectares of land to heavy industrial. Harmac Pacific’s CEO said “Nanaimo is desperately short of industrial land and council initiated this process when approving the official community plan in 2022. …Paul Sadler, CEO and the General Manger of Harmac Pacific said the company wants to maintain ownership and choose businesses that are complementary to its own such as sawmills or companies that “can take advantage of its green energy supply” …The company, in discussions with Nanaimo City Council, has agreed to an average 100 meter buffer from the park. …But the majority of speakers were opposed. …The Snuneymuxw First Nation also has serious reservations. …The hearing continues April 22.
US population growth slowed notably in the latest Vintage 2025 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, with the nation expanding by just 0.5% in 20251, roughly half the pace of the prior year. The deceleration was primarily driven by a sharp decline in net international migration (NIM), which dropped from 2.7 million to 1.3 million, while natural change remained relatively stable. Population gains remain concentrated in the South and parts of the West, while many areas in the Midwest and Northeast experienced slower growth or population declines. …At the county level, population growth slowed across much of the country. Among the nation’s 3,143 counties and the District of Columbia, the majority experienced decelerating population gains in 2025. …Population flows continue to shift away from the largest and most expensive counties toward smaller and less densely populated areas.
Creston, BC — The Creston Community Forest (CCF) is featured in a new film as part of a province-wide project led by the BC Community Forest Association, showcasing the work and impact of community forests across British Columbia. The film highlights how the CCF is managing its forests to support local priorities, including wildfire risk reduction, recreation, and long-term sustainability. “We’re excited to share this film as a way to show the work that happens on the ground and what this community forest means to the community of Creston,” said Daniel Gratton, Registered Professional Forester and Forest Manager at the CCF. Unlike traditional forestry models focused primarily on timber, the CCF has been taking a broader approach. Its work reflects the needs and values of the residents first, balancing ecological health, economic activity, and public use of the land.
In southern Oregon they call it the “fir-mageddon” – the rapid decline of our largest and most prolific tree in the Pacific Northwest. The Douglas fir … is the most important tree species to the economy on the planet. Their ability to grow to a massive size and live for hundreds of years through all types of weather, makes it the best source for high-grade construction lumber… Douglas fir in Oregon and Washington alone make up one-quarter of the lumber industry in the United States. Since 2000, 635 acres of Douglas fir trees in our region have died — that’s roughly 175,000 trees, a trend that is only accelerating. The decline is not from the lumber industry. It’s global warming. A recent study proves is that Douglas fir trees are resilient to wildfires, but don’t fair well during a drought. During a drought they become vulnerable to a beetle that prays on distressed trees. 
Despite several strong snowstorms across New Hampshire this winter and some rain in the past week, state officials warn that drought conditions persist statewide — along with an elevated risk of wildfires. The January-March period was the sixth-driest first quarter on record for the state, dating back to when measurements were first recorded in 1895, according to the New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau. The data comes on the heels of an autumn with wildfire conditions so severe that a burn ban was declared statewide from Sept. 22 through Oct. 8. “Last year, New Hampshire experienced a 27.6% increase in the number of wildfires and a 16.8% increase in the number of acres burned,” said Chief Steven Sherman of the Forest Protection Bureau. “Many homes in New Hampshire are located in the wildland-urban interface — the area where homes and flammable wildland fuels intermix.” The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 78% of the state is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought. 
The loss of our forests is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Forests are key to curbing carbon emissions and protecting the plants, animals and humans that call Earth home. However, we’re losing our forests at an alarming rate. Our new study shows we’ve lost roughly 300 million hectares over the past 11 years. However, it’s unclear how much of this forest has since been restored. Either way, we’re losing a significant amount of forest despite efforts to protect it through certification, protection and other conservation schemes. The European Union has introduced policies aimed at eliminating products and supply chains that contribute to forest loss. …Halting forest loss is also a major focus of international declarations, such as the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use. …Protected areas may also help curb forest loss. …These two strategies should be reducing, or even stopping, forest loss. But they’re failing to do so at a global scale.
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