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  On Saturday, October 16, 2004 I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the Dunkley Lumber sawmill expansion (see story below). Already a very impressive operation, the new high technology mill is designed to process smaller diameter logs from beetle attacked areas. It was a great event on a bright sunny but cool day with attendance in the hundreds. Regarding the broader issue of the pine beetle epidemic, prior to this past summer's beetle flight, an estimated 173 million m³ of lodgepole pine in the province was under attack. Already the largest forest health epidemic in Canada at that size, we can expect (at recent rates of expansion) that number to increase to 240 million m³ this year. It is now widely acknowledged that nothing but a series of several major cold events will stop this epidemic before it damages over 80% of the province's lodgepole pine. However, it is also time for industry, communities, the provincial government and the federal government to step up efforts, not to stop the epidemic, but to take mitigative action. We have only 5 to 10 years ahead of us before we will begin to feel the full negative economic effects. Redoubling our collective efforts today is essential. With almost 20 cents of every dollar generated in BC coming directly from the forestry industry, and with over 120,000 workers in the metro Vancouver area dependant on forestry for their livelihood, all British Columbians should now realize that this is not just an interior rural problem.  John Allan |
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The existing two-line mill was designed for a diet of larger logs and produces 300 million board feet per year. Anticipating a change in log profile due to the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic the Novak brothers turned challenge into opportunity and invested in the two new lines in order to optimally consume a smaller log diameter profile. The new design also has the flexibility to accept log deliveries in both long log and short log formats. In innovative Dunkley fashion the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony was replaced with a cross cut "saw off" between teams of Henry Novak and Premier Campbell vs Minister de Jong and MLA John Wilson. Henry and the Premier took the honors to officially open the mill. For more information contact Dunkley Lumber by phone: (250) 998-4421. |
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COFI Board members joined over 170 municipal, community and business leaders at the Coast Inn of the North to receive a "State of the Industry" update from COFI President & CEO John Allan. John described the size and competitiveness of BC's forest industry relative to the world stage and in that context updated the attendees on a number of issues facing the industry including the softwood lumber dispute, recent exchange rate trends and the state of the many forest policy changes underway in BC. Prince George City Councillor Don Zurowski, acting for Mayor Colin Kinsley and his city council colleagues, welcomed dinner guests to the city and expressed appreciation for COFI's community dinner program and the opportunity it represented to better understand the issues currently facing the industry as well as network with industry leaders one on one. For more information contact Jan Ball, COFI Northern Operations by e-mail: ball@cofi.org or by phone: (250) 564-5136. To view John Allan's presentation go to www.cofi.org. |
The Service Centre concept bundles a number of initiatives such as tech transfer materials (i.e. Guide to Good Practice and Inspection Manual), construction training, regular newsletters and seminars as well emphasizing quality-minded construction practices in this comprehensive program for wood builders, designers, and developers in China. It is hoped that this Canada Wood Group sponsored Service Centre will eventually transform into some form of wood builder association. The launch and first technical exchange seminar is on October 20, 2004 in Shanghai. All member representatives are invited. Member company representatives wishing to attend please contact Jennifer Yu, Project Coordinator - Canada Wood Shanghai by email: jenyu_cn@yahoo.com or by phone: 011-86-21-3228-3350 / Fax: 011-86-21-6236-2536. |
The newly formed BC Forest Safety Council, representing all major forestry organizations and the IWA, has partnered with the Workers' Compensation Board to make the Faller Certification Program a priority, and is moving ahead to implement it as quickly as possible. Experienced fallers must apply no later than the end of 2004 to demonstrate they meet mandatory safety certification requirements under the new program. Eventually, if you are not certified, you are not a faller, and you won't be cutting down trees. Fallers with at least 120 days' experience can become certified by passing a written or oral test-and-skills demonstration. Their only other route to certification is to complete an extensive training program to be introduced in early 2005. Experienced fallers meeting the grandfathering criteria should contact the Forest Safety Council at 1-877-324-1212 to apply for their mandatory certification, which applies to production fallers, snag fallers, forest fire fighters who fall trees and seismic fallers in the north east. A separate certification program covers arborists. Key dates fallers should keep in mind: * Apply by Dec. 31 2004 and the fee is $150 * On Jan.1, 2005 the cost to register goes to $250 * After March 31, the cost to register will be $600 * After July 31, no applications for grandfathering will be accepted. For individuals considering a career in falling, training courses accepted by the Council and the WCB will be available in the new year. This comprehensive training is based on a new falling training standard developed jointly by the forest industry, the IWA and the WCB. The newly-formed BC Forest Safety Council is owned and managed by the forest industry and is committed to eliminating fatalities and serious injuries in the Forest industry, and creating a positive environment of working safely in an industry that fosters improved health and safety programs, performance, and results. Serving nearly two million workers and about 165,000 employers, the WCB is a provincial statutory agency governed by a Panel of Administrators. The Board is committed to a safe and healthy workplace and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured or suffering occupational disease as a result of their employment. |
This year the Ft. St. John dinner featured Roger Harris, Minister of State for Forest Operations, speaking about BC's Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic with a particular focus on the recent emergence of the beetle in the Peace area. Over 65 guests received Minister Harris' presentation at the Quality Inn-Northern Grand Hotel and then held the Minister for over 20 minutes of questions. The lively discussion reflected Peace area's keen interest in applying lessons learned from battling the epidemic in the interior plateau to managing the beetle on the east side of the Rockies. Ft. St. John Mayor Steve Thorlakson welcomed the Minister and guests to the city noting the value of the COFI dinners for both industry and communities in the Peace. For more information contact Jan Ball, COFI Northern Operations by e-mail: ball@cofi.org or by phone: (250) 564-5136. |
This upbeat theme permeated the delegates from the 184 member organizations in attendance at the 101st Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities September 21 to 25, 2004 in Kelowna. UBCM President, Mayor Frank Leonard, highlighted recent changes that have advanced the role of BC communities as equal partners with other levels of government on issues that affect their communities in his opening address to the delegates. The UBCM is now the principal annual venue for the meetings of three orders of government. "I think we've got their attention - let's focus on how to make use of it," he added. Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, Murray Coell carried the partnership theme further in his address to the delegates by acknowledging the Convention as a venue for the sharing of ideas and challenging BC communities to become the best they can be. Minister Coell stated that the next big challenge is to work together to negotiate a New Deal for Cities with the federal government. The normally "lively", Resources Forum featuring the Provincial Ministers of Forests (Mike de Jong), Sustainable Resource Management (George Abbott), Energy and Mines (Richard Neufeld), Water, Land and Air Protection (Bill Barisoff), as well as the Ministers of State for Forestry Operations (Roger Harris) and Mining (Pat Bell) was focused on accomplishments and challenges facing government in both the short and long term. The audience was, for the most part, very complimentary in their comments and questions. The Federal Minister of Industry, David Emerson told the delegates that the top priority for the federal government was the New Deal for Cities. He stated that the New Deal initiative is the beginning of a significant change in the relationship with local governments. Minister Emerson also said that he would like to ensure that the federal government remains focused on the future, including building a competitive edge in the world economy. He concluded, "When I decided to take the plunge into federal politics, I promised to stir the pot in Ottawa. For better or for worse, I am doing just that. I am confident we will make a difference." Premier Campbell made a number of significant announcements during his annual address to the Convention including: the transfer of 100% of net traffic fines to communities, establishing the Community Opportunities Task Force, special one-time $25 million grant for community promotion, safe street legislation, Olympic Live sites and a task force on mental illness, homelessness and addiction. The UBCM Convention continues to be a valuable venue for COFI and its members to further the shared vision that local, provincial and federal interests are clearly served by a strong, competitive forest industry. COFI was afforded the unique opportunity to host the first reception of the Convention on Monday evening. By all accounts, it was a resounding success with attendance exceeding all expectations. COFI President and CEO, John Allan had the opportunity to welcome the delegates to the reception and briefly outlined COFI's commitment to working in harmony with communities to encourage the growth and stability of the forest sector; the sector that has been the driver of the provincial economy, shaping our local environment, and providing British Columbians with a quality of life unsurpassed anywhere in the world. COFI was also a convention sponsor. |
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 1. International Trade Commission On October 13, 2004 the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced that an Extraordinary Challenge will be filed against the recent NAFTA Panel decision on threat of injury. Filing is expected on November 25, 2004 with a process completion date of March, 2005 at the earliest. 2. AD/CVD Duties Monies on deposit by Canadian exporters continue to mount and are estimated at over U.S. $2.8 billion through September, 2004. Briefs on the final AD/CVD rates for the first Administrative Review period (2002/03) are due later this month. These rates will be set mid-December and will establish a new cash deposit rate going forward. The rates are subject to appeal. 3. Refunds of Cash Deposits This issue was the subject of a NAFTA Panel hearing held in Washington on September 28, 2004 in the context of West Fraser's de minimus AD rate. 4. Byrd Amendment The Canadian federal government is preparing a retaliation list consistent with the WTO Arbitrator's Decision. For more information please see the following websites: BC Lumber Trade Council: www.bclumbertrade.com Government of Canada: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/eicb/softwood/menu-en.asp Government of BC: www.for.gov.bc.ca/HET/softwood/index.htm |
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 From September 6 - 18, 2004 Paul Newman of COFI led a mission of Canadian fire experts to South Korea and China. The objectives of the mission were to investigate the fire code challenges standing in the way of expanded use of wood in construction and to initiate and develop connections with key officials and researchers in these countries. In South Korea, where the government has recently announced its intention to make positive changes to the fire code, the mission group heard that significant regulatory changes will be enacted in January 2005. These code revisions will permit use of WFC in multi-family, multi-storey structures. An important element is the increase in height for wood buildings from 13m to 18m at the roof peak. This means four storey structures will be permitted. A number of important issues remain to be clarified including the government requirement to certify or license builders to use the new fire rated assemblies to build multi-family structures. Also policies relating to hybrid construction, where wood is combined with concrete, have yet to be determined. Canada Wood Group will be following this issue closely in the coming months. In China the mission group was hosted by Fire Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security responsible for fire codes and fire code enforcement. A sensitive issue at the moment relates to the fact that GBJ-16, the fire code, is presently more restrictive than the newly promulgated GB50005 wood design code. This inconsistency is leading to problems with local building and fire code enforcement. The primary objective of the mission group was to encourage the harmonization of the two codes and to bring information that would support relaxing of the GBJ-16 regulations. The mission consisted of representatives from Forintek Canada, the Canadian Wood Council, the National Research Council and COFI/Canada Wood. Excellent progress was made in engaging with officials in both countries. We are optimistic that it will be possible to obtain relaxation of the respective fire codes over time, provided strategic and credible ties are developed with the research communities. For more information contact Paul Newman, Director Market Access and Trade by e-mail: newman@cofi.org or by phone: (604) 891-1215. |
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