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  Canada and the U.S. are edging towards another attempt to negotiate an end to the softwood lumber trade litigation. In this regard Canada has tabled an "Initial Canadian Proposal" document and the U.S. has responded favorably. The heart of the proposal calls for a border tax to replace the cash deposit rates, 100% return of the deposits and policy change to achieve free trade. I would encourage all interested parties to obtain a copy of this Proposal and give it some careful thought. More specifically, if you are an interior operator you should be aware that we are also engaged in discussions with the Ministry on interior timber pricing options in the context of a potential trade agreement. We will have a full report for you at the Board meeting in April.  John Allan |
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 Don't miss your chance to hear Frank McKenna, Canada's newly appointed Ambassador to the United States, as he provides his unique insights and perspectives at the COFI Annual Convention on Friday, April 15th. COFI has resumed the tradition of annual conventions based on the successful NFPA and ILMA events of the past. This year the COFI Annual Convention will be held in the Prince George Civic Centre, on April 14th and 15th. Other speakers featured this year are Premier Gordon Campbell, Forests Minister Michael deJong, and Industry Minister David Emerson (invited). Also speaking are senior forest company representatives such as Jim Shepherd, CEO of Canfor, Hank Ketcham, CEO and Chairman of the Board of West Fraser and Reid Carter of Brascan. Also featured are customer representatives, economic and market analysts, Mayors, senior government officials and many others. Despite the star-studded agenda, registration fees remain very affordable - starting at $100. This is a unique opportunity to hear what key industry, government and community leaders have to say about the BC forest industry and its future. Topics include the Mountain Pine Beetle, global supply and demand, risks and opportunities, BC's rural economies and much more. The program is designed to facilitate networking with customers, suppliers, industry leaders, industry analysts and community and government leaders. The trade show component with over 48 exhibitors will provide you with the latest information about products and services. Don't delay-to avoid disappointment register by March 25. For information about the program, travel and accommodations, registration, exhibitors and sponsors go to the convention website: www.cofi.org\library_and_resources\annual_convention\2005\default.htm or phone (250) 564-5136 COFI would like to thank all its sponsors especially this year's Gold Sponsors: Finning (Canada), RBC Financial Group, Valone Kone Brunette, BC Hydro - Power Smart and Lumbermens' Underwriting Alliance. |
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The Gala, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver was a hallmark event, celebrating a growing 'wood culture' in British Columbia. Over 56 nominations were received for the 11 prestigious awards up for grabs. Mary Tracey, Executive Director for Wood WORKS! BC, said the goal of the Gala was to "raise the bar" in terms of wood design, wood use and technology in British Columbia. "By recognizing and honouring excellence in wood design, we are raising the level of awareness," Tracey noted. "We are essentially challenging all designers and builders in British Columbia to work towards developing excellence in wood and meeting the high level of expertise and creativity set at this event." She credits the forest industry and companies dependent on the industry for the success of the event, noting that the event was funded by sponsoring companies and associations. "This event was designed to applaud and recognize the use of wood design and construction in BC, could not have been held without the support of these sponsors." "As far as I know, this is the first event ever held in British Columbia that brought such a diverse group together - all to celebrate wood," she said. "We had architects, engineers, builders, designers, forest product companies and associations, mill equipment manufacturers, designers and suppliers, municipal and provincial government representatives, all there to celebrate the growing use of growing use of wood in BC!" Gold sponsors were: Canfor, Coast Forest Products, Council of Forest Industries, Forintek, Gorman Bros. Lumber, Structurlam, Tembec, Tolko, Western Archirb, Weyerhauser and the Canadian Wood Council. Silver sponsors were: Anthony Seaman Engineering, COE Newnes/McGehee, Wellons and Western Economic Diversification. Minister of Provincial Revenue, Rick Thorpe, was the keynote speaker and gave an address regarding the economic and environmental benefits of building with wood that both encouraged and challenged the industry to continue to move forward in wood design and technology. Each award recipient received a hand-carved trophy, made from the wood specified and supplied by the award sponsor. The awards were open to nominations from across B.C. and judged by an independent jury. Jury members included representatives from both Canadian and American architect associations, representatives from UBC's engineering and architect departments and from the forest industry. "Each decision involved lengthy consideration, with attention given to a variety of elements, including value added materials, visual aspects of the project, solutions that pushed the envelope, budgets and detailing of wood," the jury noted.
Residential Interior Beauty of Wood Award (sponsored by Gorman Bros. Lumber) Winner: Insite Architecture-for the Townhouse Renovation, False Creek, Vancouver Residential Award (sponsored by Tolko Inc.) Winner: Florian Maurer, architect-for the Maurer Residence in Naramata Multi-Unit Residential (sponsored by Canfor) Winner: Francesco D'Ambrosio, Architecture & Urbanism-for the South Circle Selkirk Waterfront Development in Victoria High Performance Award (sponsored by Forintek) Winner: Peter Busby, Busby Perkins + Will Architects-for the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, Merrit Recreational Wood Design Award (sponsored by Coast Forest Products Association) Winner: Scott Kemp, Scott M Kemp Architect- for the Hupacasath First Nations Carving Pavilion in Port Alberni Commercial / Institutional Award (sponsored by Weyerhaeuser) Winner: Steve McFarlane and Michael Green, McFarlane Green Architecture & Design- for the Prince George Airport Expansion and Renovation, Phase 2 Engineer Award (sponsored by Western Archrib) Winner: Gerald Epp, Fast & Epp Structural Engineers Architect Award (sponsored by Structurlam) Winner: Peter Busby, Busby Perkins + Wills Architects Inc. Wood Champion Award (sponsored by Tembec) Winner: Fast & Epp Structural Engineers Industry Leader Award (sponsored by the Canadian Wood Council) Morris Douglas Community Leader Award (sponsored by Council of Forest Industries) Prince George Mayor, Colin Kinsley |
In addition to giving school presentations, Chris has been personally delivering the new teaching resources, The Force of Fire and Manufacturing Lumber to schools across the north. These resources are very much appreciated by teachers who use them in conjunction with many other forest education teaching resources they have received from COFI over the past few years. A new teaching resource, The Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic, is now being developed in a partnership with Market Outreach Network. This new resource targeted at the intermediate (grade 4-7) level will include lesson plans, activity sheets, a new video and CD, posters and take-home materials so that parents too can learn about the MPB epidemic. In all, some 2000 resource kits will be produced and distributed free this coming spring to all elementary schools in BC. In early February, Chris along with forest educators Debbie Sluggett, Debbie Bazett and Jennifer Stewart from the southern interior traveled to Vancouver to meet with representatives from the TLA, CLMA, BCIT and UBC to discuss the possibilities of bringing forest education to the 'urban' areas of the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. This meeting gave the interior forest educators a chance to showcase our programs to the coastal representatives and encourage them to initiate programs that would bring forest education to some half million students spread across the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. For more information contact Chris Lear, Forest Education Manager at: (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail: lear@cofi.org. |
The conference's twin themes were broadening perspectives and igniting passion for our work. Highlights of the speakers programs included Minister of Forests Mike De Jong's challenge to delegates to tell the world about our world class forest practices and Premier Gordon Campbell's reminder of how well positioned BC is to meet global resource needs. At the meeting, COFI Forestry Committee member Randy Trerise, RPF of Pope & Talbot, took over the reins of Presidency for 2005. Six individuals were given awards, including Bill Bourgeois, RPF and Larry Pedersen, RPF who were recognized with Distinguished Forest Professional awards. Bill Bourgeois was recognized for being a leader and champion of sustainable forest management, for being an original thinker and not being afraid to advocate new ideas. Larry Pedersen was recognized for being at the forefront of many of the positive forest management changes in B.C. over the past two decades and for his energy, enthusiasm, professionalism and leadership. COFI supported the conference with an exhibitor booth located in a prominent position. Many folks stopped by for chats and even business. For more information about the Conference, Awards and the ABCFP go to the website at: www.rpf-bc.org |
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 1. AD/CVD Duties Canada will proceed, along with industry, to file a challenge at the Court of International Trade on the Byrd Amendment. 2. Negotiations Canada has filed a framework document "Initial Canadian Proposal" with the U.S. to facilitate negotiations. Discussions between Canada and the U.S. are expected to be scheduled for some time in the near future. 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 |
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 COFI together with other industry associations recognized the significant contributions of Morris Douglas to market access and development in the forest industry at a special luncheon on March 7, 2005. Morris Douglas has spent 38 years in the wood products industry, holding senior marketing and management positions with prominent companies such as British Columbia Forest Products, Fletcher Challenge Canada and most recently as Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Riverside Forest Products Ltd. Beyond the commitments to his own company, he has devoted much time and marketing expertise to the wood products industry at large through service in many of its trade associations and committees. Morris has held the chairmanship of:Interior Lumber Manufacturers' Association, Canadian Plywood Association, Canadian Wood Council, BC WoodWorks, SPF Promotion Group and COFI Market Access & Committee to name a few. Morris has long supported maintaining a strong Canadian presence in off-shore markets, despite the difficulties of doing so. For many years, he has championed expansion of markets for Canadian wood products through the co-operative efforts of the industry. Morris has supported numerous "build with wood" initiatives, supported forest education from elementary through university and when asked has been at the forefront of the industry in promoting the expansion of initiatives that expand and enhance the use of BC wood. In 2003, Morris was presented the coveted "Paul Bunyan Award" by the Canadian Wood Council. The Paul Bunyan Award, named after the mythical lumberjack who performed renowned feats of strength and daring, is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding career-long contribution to the market development and use of Canadian wood products. This award defines Morris' contributions to the BC industry.
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