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  This month, the BC Forest Safety Council began accepting registrations for its SAFE Companies program. This is the most ambitious, comprehensive safety initiative ever undertaken by our industry. Ultimately, it will fundamentally change how British Columbia's largest industry views and practices safety.
The SAFE Companies launch is a clear signal that the forest sector is taking its responsibility for worker safety in all of its forestry operations very seriously. Sadly the industry recorded its 4th trucking fatality of 2006 this month. Billy Williams, 53, of Gitanyow, was killed on Highway 16 near Terrace. His truck was hit by a loaded steel truck. The trailer of the steel truck spun out of control and slammed into Williams' truck. Billy's death is a reminder to us all that we share the road with all kinds of other traffic, and situations beyond our control can have a serious impact. Please remember to drive safely this winter, no matter where you are or what kind of vehicle you are driving. Check roads and weather before your trip on www.drivebc.ca and remember that posted speed limits are designed for ideal conditions; slow down when driving on snow, ice, slush or rain.  John Allan |
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Are you or your contractors paying more tax than you need to? A Ministry of Small Business and Revenue, Consumer Taxation Branch website has made it easier to find answers using a website tailored for the logging industry. The website is a convenient compendium of bulletins, forms, brochures, and lists. Did you know that there are Provincial Sales Tax (PST) exemptions for specific machinery and equipment used by the logging industry? Parts and services for exempt machinery or equipment are also exempt. Certain vehicles and equipment you use in the logging industry may use lower-taxed coloured fuel. You may use coloured fuel in stationary or portable engines, such as chainsaws or a hydraulic arm mounted to a logging truck; and in equipment, such as skidders or front end loaders. You may use coloured fuel in all motor vehicles that are not licensed to operate on a highway. If you operate crew crummies, ambulances when used as ambulances, fire trucks when used as fire trucks, or trucks when used for hauling logs or lumber, you may be eligible for a partial refund of motor fuel tax. Other issues covered include the Hotel Room Tax and the Logging Tax. Forest Revenue Audit Program: If you harvest crown timber, you need to know that, effective March 30, 2006, the Forest Act was amended to allow for the inspection, audit and assessment of stumpage revenues owed to the province. The website also contains a bulletin that pertains to the application and qualifications for exemption of tax for purchases and leases related to manufacturing. For more information, contact Steve Kozuki by e-mail at: kozuki@cofi.org or by phone at: (250) 564-5136 or visit the website: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/ctb/logging.htm. |
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The 2004 BC WoodWORKS/Canada Wood Council's Commercial Wood Design Award is displayed on one side of the display and the 2005 award is displayed on the other side. The attractive portable display is made from birch by Prince George-based Northern Capital Wood Products.
For more information contact Doug Routledge by phone at: (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail at: routledge@cofi.org.
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Chetwynd Mayor, Evan Saugstad, graciously provided the opening remarks, including commentary of the value of COFI to communities and the forest industry. The evening's speaker was Doug Routledge, Vice President Northern Operations and Forestry. Based on the numerous questions at the end of the presentation, we're sure the audience appreciated the overview of the new softwood lumber agreement, the development of forest product markets in Asia, and the mountain pine beetle epidemic. A special thank you goes to Finning for co-sponsoring the event.
For more information contact Steve Kozuki by phone at: (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail at: kozuki@cofi.org |
SAFE Companies is an audit program designed and built by the BC forest sector. It is intended to evaluate company safety programs, and to assist companies in improving their safety performance. Different types and sizes of companies can be evaluated. A SAFE Company designation means that a company has met some criteria, including:
For more information go to the BC Forest Safety Council website: www.bcforestsafe.org/index-1-safeco.html. |
Six regional camps provided students from Hazelton to Quesnel through to Fort St John the opportunity to spend 2-3 days engaged in an array of hands-on workshops that introduced them to natural resource management. Workshops ranged from fish and wildlife management, to silviculture, road engineering, block layout, timber cruising, harvesting, archaeology, forest health, soils and ecology. They provided students, along with their teachers, the opportunity to work directly with top notch resource professionals drawn from industry, government and post-secondary institutions. John Goalder, Career Coordinator at Smithers Secondary School, participating in his first NRM camp commented that "this is an exceptional program. It really gives students the tools they need to make their career decisions. Three of our students are now considering careers in Resource Management." In visiting the NRM camp offered in School District No 91, (Nechako Lakes), Superintendent Mr. Gordon Milne, noted that "it was great to see the enthusiasm of the students. This is truly a wonderful opportunity for students to become aware of careers in resource management." While this year's camps are helping students choose future careers, past camp participants are already enrolled in forestry programs at the College of New Caledonia and the University of Northern BC. For more information about COFI Northern Operations NRM Camps, please contact Chris Lear, COFI Northern Operations at (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail at lear@cofi.org.
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 The Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA 2006) became effective October 12, 2006. As we are in the early stages of implementation, please see the following websites for further information. It is particularly important that exporters become familiar with the export permit process, calculation of tax payable and reporting requirements. For more information please see the following websites: BC Lumber Trade Council: www.bclumbertrade.comGovernment of Canada: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/eicb/softwood/menu-en.asp Government of BC: www.for.gov.bc.ca/HET/softwood 
Thirty three of our dedicated quality control instructors came to Kelowna to see what is new with the NLGA grading rule and brush up on teaching techniques to prepare for our upcoming education classes. Brian Gibbard of Pope & Talbot Ltd. was awarded COFI's "Top Instructor" award for the 2006. Brian has been instructing the ILMA/COFI lumber grading courses for 24 years and in reviewing his records at the Midway, BC centre it was easy to see why he was selected for this year's award. Brian has now moved on to a new role at the Grand Forks Division and we wish him well in his new endeavours with Pope & Talbot. The group also took some time to review the consistent lumber characteristics that we are now finding in the MPB lumber, all agree this was a worth while exercise and discussed how we could insert this into our education classes next year.
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Don't miss the upcoming Wood Design luncheon conferences in Kelowna on December 1st, Vancouver on November 29th and Victoria on November 28th. Produced by the Canadian Wood Council and Forestry Innovation Investment, this concise conference will provide the latest information on designing and building with wood. The seminars are tailored for the decision makers in the construction industry - architects, designers, engineers, technologists, builders and building officials - the people who need to know what products are available and how they can be used. The Wood Design Luncheon Conferences are free to those who pre-register with the Canadian Wood Council, otherwise admission cost is $25.00. Register Today! Do not miss this unique opportunity to learn the latest developments about wood use in construction, the only renewable building material! For more information and registration go to the Canada Wood Council website: www.cwc.ca/CWC/events/luncheon_index.php |
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