New Brunswick’s pulp and paper mills get electricity rate subsidy. In other Business news: Ontario supports laid off Cascade workers; Element5 expansion will double its mass timber production; Surrey BC’s growth is upping the tax burden for S&R Sawmills; and Smurfit Kappa sees benefit with switch to S&P 500 listing. 

In Forestry/Climate news: Canada funds species at risk efforts, as ministers meet on biodiversity conservation; a new report on Canada’s 2023 wildfire season; and research on the impact of wildfires on lakes. Meanwhile: another BC timber supply area sees reduced harvests; First Nations secure $335M for BC Coast marine protection; an Oregon court blocks logging in Elliott State Forest; and two Australian states are at cross purposes when it comes to the timber industry.

Finally, wood species, particularly spruce, are found to have natural antiviral properties.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor