On November 22 the Department of Commerce issued its determination in the 5th remand ordered by the NAFTA panel in the CVD investigation. A country wide de minimus rate was found.

On December 6th the DOC announced final rates of 8.70% (CVD) and 2.11% (AD "all others") for Administrative Review 2. Both rates are subject to appeal. Once filed in the Federal register, these rates will be the CVD and AD cash deposit rates going forward.

For more information please see the following websites:

Coming after the recent municipal elections the trip was an opportunity to thank outgoing Ft St John Mayor Steve Thorlakson for his support of the industry over the years and wish him well in his future endeavors. It was also an opportunity to meet incoming Ft St John Mayor Jim Eglinski and brief him on COFI and its programs. Fort Nelson Mayor re-elect Chris Morey and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Heather Sellors hosted Doug and Chris for lunch the and a discussion of forestry issues in that region including the recent increase in regional spruce budworm attack and plans for the Fort Nelson COFI community dinner to be held in the new year.

Chris Lear was able to meet with elementary and high school educators and career co-ordinators in both communities to discuss COFI Forest Education programs planned for the new year with a particular emphasis around delivering in those communities COFI's new forest products manufacturing trades, technical and professional career awareness program.

While on the trip Chris and Doug also met with senior Canfor representative in both communities as well as senior representatives from Peace Valley OSB, BC's newest and largest OSB facility, to discuss COFI's Forest Education program plans and budget for 2006.

For more information contact Chris Lear by e-mail at: lear@cofi.org or by phone: (250) 564-5136.