Citing illegal migration and drug trafficking, Trump said he will impose tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico. In related news: Canada says the tariffs would be devastating for all—emphasizing the significance of existing trade; and US homebuilders are optimistic post-election; while timber developers express concern. Meanwhile: CN Rail workers vote for strike action; Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reopen, and former mayor (and logger) Ward Stamer is BC’s new forestry critic.
In Forestry news: the Globe and Mail calls out Quebec’s inaction on caribou; BC’s Blueberry River First Nations’ deal has unravelled; Ontario introduces a bill to address wildfire risks; Washington state commissioners support working forests; Idaho’s bureaucracy is preventing wildfire mitigation; and Oregon’s barred owl plan is being questioned again.
Finally, and sadly, Southern Pine champion Ardis Almond of Almond Brothers Lumber died November 21.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
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.
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.
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.”
The latest phase of the $18 million Stanley Park logging operation lifted-off Nov. 19. Two helicopters from Black Tusk Helicopter Inc. are using the Prospect Point Picnic Area as a temporary landing and refuelling site. Their job is to pick-up logs felled on the cliffs above the Stanley Park Seawall, between Third Beach and Prospect Point… The Park Board said the logging is necessary due to the Hemlock looper moth infestation and wildfire fears. Contractor B.A. Blackwell and Associates estimated the pest affected 160,000 trees in the park. In the Stanley Park Preservation Society’s unsuccessful court bid to halt the logging, a lawyer for city hall said another 30 hectares will be logged this fall and winter. Watch a YouTube video