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  This month I thought I might use this memo to bring you up to date on a few items. As noted in the July newsletter, the Wood Products Advisory Committee to the Competition Council is up and running. If you receive this letter electronically a Call for Submissions was sent to you on September 1, 2005. The deadline for submissions is October 15. The trade file has been very active on a number of fronts and I would urge you to read the article on page 4 and check the web sites for more detail. At this time we have C$5 billion on deposit. Through the summer intensive work continued on proposed changes to interior timber pricing and log grades and I would recommend all interior operators become familiar with these issues as implementation is scheduled for April 1, 2006. Staff in the markets and trade area are running flat out and it is truly exciting to see the progress being made in developing offshore markets. In closing, we welcome your comments, particularly regarding any topics you would like to see covered in future.  John Allan |
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COFI Community dinners are held annually in various locations throughout the interior as an important part of COFI's regional community relations program. The dinners draw together regional municipal government, chamber of commerce, service club, business and other community leaders to learn about current forest industry issues and to network with senior forest industry representatives. For more information contact Doug Routledge, COFI Northern Operations by phone: (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail: routledge@cofi.org. |
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 Thanks to a "help us name our mill" contest, the Canfor-LP OSB plant in Fort St. John has a new name, logo and tagline. Peace Valley OSB, with its slogan "The Power of the Peace" is expected to fire up later this fall. The contest resulted in nearly 100 entries and, with the help of a branding company, the finalists' ideas were turned into a new identity for what will be the largest OSB plant in the world. |
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 Here's a selection of news from the Market Access and Trade and SPF Group, for full details check out the newsletter at: www.cofi.org/canadawood/newsletter/2005aug/august2005.htm Domestic News: COFI/SPF Group Awarded $3.3 Million in Federal/Provincial Funding Paul Newman is pleased to announce that the COFI Market Access/SPF Group has been awarded $3.3 million in federal and provincial market development funding for fiscal 2005-6. Approximately $2.0 million was received from the Canada Wood Export program and $1.3 million from Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. Combined with industry funds a total of $4.5 million has been allocated in 2005-6 for market development activities in Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Europe. New Plant Health Specialist Kept on the Hop Brian Zak can be reached for clarification on plant health issues and compliance at: Office: 604-536-3902 or Cell: 604-720-6379 or email: Allforestsolutiosinc@telus.net China Joint Fire Project Underway Canada Wood has been working hard over the last two years to develop strong connections with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Fire Bureau. This work has paid off with an agreement in principle with MPS Tianjin Fire Research Institute to undertake a comprehensive assessment of Chinese fire regulations as compared to those in effect in wood using countries in North America and Europe. The intent is to work with the MPS to build confidence in the performance of wood construction from a fire safety perspective. Canada Wood will be partnering with European and American organizations in this multi-country effort. Canada's best fire researchers have enlisted to assist in this initiative. We hope that this could ultimately lever open markets for hybrid and larger height/area structures. Japan COFI/Canada Wood Acknowledged for Fire Contribution The Japan Wooden Home Association (WHA) presented the 2004 WHA Award to COFI/Canada Wood in recognition of COFI's contribution to wooden post and beam construction in achieving official quasi-fireproof construction status. David Litchfield, Director COFI Japan Tokyo Office, is the first non-Japanese recipient of the award. The presentation took place at WHA's general annual meeting in May. Acknowledgement was given to COFI's contribution as a member of the technical committee as well as to a series of fire tests completed resulting in recognizing post and beam construction as a qualifying quasi-fireproof construction method by the Government Housing Loan Corporation (GHLC) on March 25, 2005. This recognition under a Finance Ministry Order is deemed to be equivalent to quasi fireproof approval under the Building Standard Law. Once received, this designation enables post and beam houses to fall under the fire insurance category "B Construction" where insurance can be obtained at a 50% - 58% lower rate than the current "C Construction" category for Post and Beam structures. South Korea Major Reform of Korean Codes Augers Well for Wood Construction The Korean government announced in spring 2005 that the newly introduced Korean Building Code (KBC) will now permit wood frame structures up to 18 metres to the roof crown and 15 metres to eaves. This change is a quantum leap from previous fire regulations on WFC that limited structures to two stories and single family housing (with an exception for pensions). On July 22nd the Ministry of Construction and Transportation also announced that structures built with assemblies complying to Korean Standard KSF 1611-1 would not require further testing and would be recognized as 'fire resistant'. The designation of standard fire-rated wood assemblies (separating walls, floors etc.) is a major advance over previous requirements that mandated expensive fire testing and certification of any assemblies to be used in multi-family construction. With the new developments in Korea it will be possible to build wood frame structures up to four stories. Canada Wood has been working with fire researchers in Korea in an attempt to influence these new requirements. Korean builders are anxious to learn the construction techniques and critical design issues involved in multi-storey, multi-family building. |
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In Japan, the tour included stops in both Tokyo and Kyoto and focused on manufacturing operations, residential building and forestry. In Tokyo, Canada Wood's David Litchfield organized tours of Mitsui Home Panel Plant and Lumbertec Saito-and P&B Plant as well as the Tokyo Lumber Terminal and WRC Product Distribution Center to give them an introduction to lumber imports and distribution, high tech home panel and post & beam production utilizing BC wood products. Mitsui Home and Yoga 2X4 and post and beam home building sites were visited, as well as model home sites. "The attention to detail and quality of home construction is impressive," noted Chris Mushumanski. "The fact that BC/Canadian wood products are preferred over all others for their quality, speaks volumes for BC's forest industry and we need to tell our own students just how valued our wood is to help enhance our own wood culture and pride in our forest industry." In Kyoto, Japan, Hidehiko Fumoto, Assist. Director COFI/Canada Wood, Tokyo and Hiroshi Kondoh, Ph.D. from the Kansai Research Center organized the tour that included stops at Kingakuji Temple and Kitayama Migaki-maruta forestry area to gain an understanding of Japanese wood culture and introduction to ornamental pillar forestry and manufacturing. "To see wooden temples built as early as the 8th Century still standing and then to see small scale intensive forestry operations that have been in existence for over 500 years was amazing," exclaimed Chris Lear. "These examples are critical in helping students and teachers understand that wood lasts and forestry can be renewable and sustainable over long periods of time." In China, the tour made stops in Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing. Joined in Shanghai by Canada Wood's Managing Director, John McDonald, the tour included a visit with Tembec's Roger Wang, a tour of QWEB Hybrid housing project and a lumber and material distribution site to give them insight into marketing wood products and how Canada Wood is working to integrate wood construction into traditional cement and steel housing construction. In Beijing, the tour focused on the emergence of DYI stores and new wood home construction. Accompanied by Haiyan Zhang from Canada Wood, the tour included stops at Xiang Shank Mei Shu Guan housing project, The Home Way DYI store and Guan Zhuang Wood Market. "To witness the current state of the Chinese market and the potential for growth not only in wood home construction, but in hybrid construction as well, was phenomenal. Looking for opportunities to market wood, such as hybrid construction, is an important marketing principal that students need to be aware of in securing marketing careers," noted Chris Mushumanski. Also on the China tour itinerary were meetings with faculty at both the Nanjing Forestry University in Nanjing and the Chinese Academy of Forestry in Beijing to discuss forestry in China and partnership opportunities with BC post secondary institutions. Chris Lear also gave a presentation on the BC Forest Industry to Canada Wood Staff in Shanghai. "We had a great opportunity to share information with university faculty about forest practices and education," exclaimed Chris Lear. "The entire tour was an exceptional opportunity and will be invaluable in helping us develop presentations and teaching resources to enhance our forest education program here in BC." For more information about COFI Northern Operations' Tour of Japan and China, contact: Chris Lear, Manager, Forest Education Northern Operations by phone (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail: lear@cofi.org. |
 The aim of this project is to collaboratively develop the apprenticeship program for what would be a new trade classification in B.C. - that of Industrial Electrician. If you are an electrician, if you plan or supervise electrical work, and/or if you are engaged in on-the-job training of electricians, please respond to this request for feedback on the competency profile. We need your input! Please encourage others involved in electrical work to complete the survey also. Please complete a Validation Survey Feedback is being gathered through an on-line survey. The survey lets you choose the level of feedback you wish to provide, allowing you a quick overview of the competencies or an in-depth study of each competency by also reviewing the more detailed program outline. Review the program outline here: www.hitac.ca. Access the survey here: www.questionpro.com/akira/takesurvey?id=269990 |
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  On August 10, an Extraordinary Challenge Committee (ECC) ruled unanimously to affirm the NAFTA panel decision on threat of injury. A finding of injury or threat of injury by the International Trade Commission (ITC) is required for the imposition of countervailing or anti-dumping duties. The ITC found threat in 2001. This decision was rejected on appeal to NAFTA in September, 2004. The decision of the ECC should result in rescinding of the duty orders and the refund of C$5 billion in deposits. However, the U.S. trade representative (USTR) has indicated that the orders will stay in place and refunds will not be forthcoming. The USTR points to a U.S. compliance process (referred to as Sec. 129) under a WTO ruling that found no threat, whereby the U.S. has purported to re-establish a finding of threat. On August 29, the same WTO panel agreed with the U.S. position on compliance. This WTO decision will likely be appealed to the Appellate Body. Canada's strongly held view is that the WTO compliance action is without merit and that the NAFTA ECC decision is paramount given the position of the USTR. An appeal will be launched at the Court of International Trade. On September 13, the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports launched a Constitutional Challenge of Chapter 19 of NAFTA. For more information please see the following websites: BC Lumber Trade Council: |
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 The Forest Practices Board has concluded that forest companies did a good job reducing the occurrence of landslides caused by their operations under the Forest Practices Code. As outlined in the Board's July 13th news release, the board's special investigation examined landslides in harvest blocks and near forestry roads built since the 1995 Forest Practices Code came into effect. The report examined the rate of forestry-related landslides and their potential environmental damage; whether landslide risk assessments conducted by professionals were adequate; and the implications of these findings for the new Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). "The board found significant improvement in the reduction of landslides from forest practices after the code took effect," said board member Fred Lowenberger. "The total number of landslides declined, and those that did occur were less likely to damage streams. However, we also identified numerous landslides caused by pre-code roads, even when these roads had been deactivated." "While there is still room for improvement, the overall code system for reducing landslides due to logging operations worked well," said Lowenberger. "With FRPA, code requirements for landslide hazard mapping and assessments have been removed, and replaced with a general objective to avoid negative effects from landslides on forest values. "The onus is now on forest companies to maintain their high performance levels, and on government to provide more detail on what level of damage from landslides is acceptable." The Forest Practices Board is an independent public watchdog that reports to the public about compliance with FRPA and the achievement of its intent. For more information visit the website: www.fpb.gov.bc.ca |
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