Volume 3, Issue 2 February, 2005

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President's Memo
Jim Shaw Joins CanPly
Coast Forest Renamed
COFI Hosts BC 's Largest Forestry Convention
COFI Convention - Securing the Future - 2010 and Beyond
BCIT and Industry Collaborate to Improve Coast Profitability
BCIT Appointment
Softwood Lumber Trade Update
Going Global Conference
Dream Home China Opens in China

COFI Board Meetings
 April 13, 2005

COFI Annual Convention
April 14-15, 2005,
Prince George



Following months of planning our annual convention is finally coming into sharper focus. What better time to debate and discuss the future challenges and opportunities facing British Columbia's forest sector than an event coming a few weeks after the Speech from the Throne and the 2005/06 Provincial Budget, and a few weeks before the provincial election on May 17.

The commitment in the Throne Speech to a comprehensive review of B.C.'s competitiveness is an initiative welcomed by the forest industry. A review of the impact of exchange rates, market barriers, global competitive pressures all in the context of the Forest Revitalization Plan is very timely.

The Budget with its additional funding for the impact of the pine beetle, fires and industry / worker / community adjustment is another welcome initiative from government.

See you in Prince George on April 14 and 15!



John Allan

Jim Shaw Joins Canadian Plywood Association

Len Pettman, Chairman of Canply announced that Jim Shaw has been appointed as President. Jim has extensive experience in the forest sector including senior positions with COFI and the CWC.


Coast Forest Renamed

The Coast Forest and Lumber Association has renamed and rebranded itself as the Coast Forest Products Association.

For more information go to www.coastforest.org.





Picking up from the successful NFPA and ILMA annual conventions held in previous years, COFI is hosting its 2005 Annual Convention - Securing the Future - 2010 & Beyond - at the Prince George Convention Centre on April 14 and 15th.

Attendance at the conference will include industry CEO's, vice presidents, marketing and production managers, senior representatives from suppliers and equipment firms, law firms, financial institutions, senior federal, provincial and local government staff, chambers of commerce, Mayors, MLA's and MP's, as well as local, regional and national media.

The convention will bring together industry and community leaders to identify key challenges and successes in the quest for long term industry competitiveness and community well being. Over 1200 delegates are expected to attend.

There's something for everyone at the convention including executive panels on industry financial performance and global market challenges; a look at key BC issues affecting communities and the industry, like the Mountain Pine Beetle and the Softwood Lumber Dispute; supplier exhibits; and, networking opportunities including the traditional themed networking reception on Thursday evening.

Speakers include Gordon Campbell, Premier of BC, Frank McKenna, Canada's Ambassador Designate to the United States, Jim Shepherd, President & CEO, Canfor, Hank Ketcham, President & CEO West Fraser, David Emerson, Industry Minister (invited), Don Roberts, Managing Director, CIBC World Markets and Reid Carter, Managing Partner, Brascan Financial Corp.

See pages 2 and 3 of this newsletter for the full convention agenda. Look for your registration package in the mail this week, visit http://www.cofi.org/library_and_resources/annual_convention/2005/default.htm to get registration, sponsor, travel and accommodation information or contact us by phone: (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail: ac2005@cofi.org.

Registration deadline is March 25, 2005.


Thursday, April 14, 2005

7:00 a.m. "Early Riser" Exhibitors Coffee and Muffin Hour
Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries and tour the exhibits

8:05 a.m. "Welcome"
Len Pettman, Incoming Chair, Council of Forest Industries
Colin Kinsley, Mayor, City of Prince George
John Allan, President & CEO, Council of Forest Industries

8:20 a.m. "State of BC's Forest Industry"- Panel:

State of BC's Forest Industry
- W.L. Craig Campbell, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Industry Perspective:
- Reid Carter, Managing Partner, Timberlands Asset Management, Brascan Financial Corp.
Investment Perspective
- Don Roberts, Managing Director, CIBC World Markets

9:20 a.m. "Market Risks"- Panel:
Environmental Issues
- Avrim Lazar, President & CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada
Market Perceptions
- Bruce Anderson, Chairman & CEO, Decima Inc.
Buyers' Perspective
- George Finkenstaedt, Senior Vice President, Lanoga Corporation

10:10 a.m. COFFEE BREAK

10:50 a.m. "Market Opportunities"- Panel:

Wood in North America, the Environmentally Friendly Building Material
- Pauline Rochefort, President, Canadian Wood Council
New Pacific Rim Markets
- Paul Newman, Director - Markets Access & Trade, COFI
Vancouver 2010
- Kelly McCloskey, President & CEO, Wood Promotion Network (invited)

11:45 a.m. PRE-LUNCHEON RECEPTION

12:15 p.m. LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS LUNCHEON

1:15 p.m. Luncheon Speaker - Hon. Gordon Campbell, Premier of BC

2:00 p.m. "Global Supply and Demand"- Panel:
Softwood Lumber Dispute
- John Allan, President, BC Lumber Trade Council
Emerging Producing Areas
- Russ Taylor, President, R.E. Taylor & Associates Ltd.
Traditional Producing Areas
- (TBC)

3:10 p.m. EXHIBITOR HOSPITALITY HOUR
Enjoy complimentary light refreshments and tour the exhibits

6:00 - 11:00 p.m. NETWORKING RECEPTION


Friday, April 15, 2005

7:15 a.m. "Early Riser" Exhibitors Coffee and Muffin Hour
Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries and tour the exhibits

8:20 a.m. "BC's Forest Policy, Risks & Opportunities" - Panel:
Report Card on Forest Policy Changes
- Dr. George Hoberg, Professor, UBC
Progress Report: BC's Forest Policy Changes
- (TBC)
Community Report Card on Beetles & Timber Supply
- Rick Gibson, Mayor, Williams Lake

9:50 a.m. "Progress Report: BC Forest Safety Council"
- Jim Shepherd, Chair, BC Forest Safety Council

10:20 a.m. COFFEE BREAK

10:30 a.m. "The Importance of BC's Rural Economy"
- Jock Finlayson, Executive Vice President, Business Council of British Columbia

11:00 a.m. "Forest Sector: Risks and Opportunities 2010 & Beyond" - Panel:
Provincial Perspective
- Hon. Michael deJong, Minister of Forests
Federal Perspective
- Hon. David Emerson, Minister of Industry (invited)
Industry Perspective
- Hank Ketcham, Chairman, President & CEO, West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

12:15 p.m. PRE LUNCHEON RECEPTION

12:45 p.m. LUNCHEON

1:35 p.m. "Luncheon Speaker"
- Hon. Frank McKenna, Canada's Ambassador Designate to the United States

2:30 p.m. CONVENTION ENDS


Hon. Gordon Campbell,
Premier of BC
Thursday Luncheon Speaker		 Hon. David Emerson,
Minister of Industry -Speaker: Forest Sector: Risks and Opportunities -Friday (Invited)		 Hank Ketcham,
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.-Speaker: Forest Sector: Risks and Opportunities-Friday		 Hon. Frank McKenna,
Canada's Ambassador Designate to the United States-Friday Luncheon Speaker



BCIT and Industry Collaborate to Improve Coast Profitability

This conference will address the twin issues of coast industry revitalization and workforce development-to be held March 31, 2005 at the Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver.

Keynote speakers include Hon. Graham Bruce, BC Minister of Skills Development and Labour, Interfor CEO Duncan Davies, Coast Forest Products Association CEO Rick Jeffery and Raymond James CEO Ken Shields.

As sponsor of this conference, BCIT will provide a forum for a fresh approach to developing workforce competitiveness on the BC Coast.

For more information go to:
www.woodbridgeassociates.com
/premiere/conf_brocc.htm




1. International Trade Commission (ITC)
The ECC Panel has now been established with a hearing expected to commence in late March, putting the date for a decision in May at the very earliest.

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

BCIT Appointment, Natural Resources

Barbara Dabrowski, P.Eng. has been appointed to the position of Associate Dean, Natural Resources in BCIT's School of Construction and Environment.

For more information go to the following website:
www.construction.bcit.ca/deansOffice


The Business Council of BC and the BC Chamber are collaborating on "Going Global: A Vision for BC's Future". This Conference will bring together leading CEO's to share their perspectives on BC's economic renewal.

Join the Premier of BC and key business leaders on Friday, March 4th at the Pan Pacific Hotel.
For more details and registration information go to the BC Chamber of Commerce website: www.bcchamber.org.

A Publication of the Council of
Forest Industries

Suite 1501-700 West Pender St.
Pender Place I Business Building
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1G8

Phone: (604) 684-0211
Fax: (604) 687-4930
E-mail: info@cofi.org
Website: www.cofi.org

Editor: Anne Mauch
Desktop Publishing: Anne Ho




Forests Minister Michael de Jong opened the Dream Home China project in late January during a trade mission to China and Japan.

Following the opening, a ceremonial wooden beam made in Prince George was signed by community leaders from Prince George, Vancouver's Chinatown and Abbotsford. The beam is a symbol of growing trade relationship in wood products between British Columbia and China.

Also, Paul Newman, COFI Director of Market Access and Trade, on behalf of the Canada Wood Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Shanghai Municipal Government's Science and Technology Commission to create local building codes and standards. The codes will support the use of wood in standard and hybrid construction -wood combined with traditional Chinese construction material such as concrete. It is also the first step in a process to accelerate wood use in multi-family residential structures in Shanghai. In addition the MOU committed both sides to cooperate on the establishment of a quality inspection system for wood construction in Shanghai.

For more information contact Paul Newman by e-mail:
newman@cofi.org or by phone: (604) 891-1215.


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