Conference Board of Canada Report "Canadian Industrial Profile: Recovery on the Way for Key Manufacturing Industries" Production in several hard-hit Canadian manufacturing industries is expected to improve in 2010. It will, however, take until 2011 for some industries to experience an increase in profits or to emerge from the red, according to the Canadian Industrial Profile-Summer 2010, published by The Conference Board of Canada in collaboration with Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Click here to read the news release Click here for more information

Forest Products Sector Council: "Key Human Resources Issues and Trends" Invitation to Participate in Regional Focus Groups(Sept. 30 – Oct. 21, 2010) The Forest Products Sector Council (FPSC) has commissioned The Conference Board of Canada to host a series of regional Focus Groups in six communities across Canada this fall. These sessions are an important part of a pan-Canadian study on the current and future labour market needs of the forest sector. Click here to download the registration form Click here for more information

Tree Species Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change Written by Dr. Mark Johnston of the Saskatchewan Research Council and colleagues under the auspices of the CCFM Climate Change Task Force, "Tree Species Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change" is highly recommended reading for anyone with responsibilities for forest management in BC. Click here to download the full technical report

Ministry of Forests Administration Policy of Special Use Permits (SUPs) Deputy Minister of Forests Dana Hayden has approved a number of measures designed to streamline the administration of SUPs. The revised policy addresses three recommendations made by the Provincial Operations Issues Working Group: SUP extensions, SUP term length, and linkage of SUP deposits to major licence deposits. Click here for more information

Meeting the Challenge: Best Practices in Aboriginal Employment and Engagement in B.C.: Sept. 20 - 21, 2010 The Forest Products Sector Council (FPSC-CSPF) in partnership with The Assembly of First Nations, the Forest Products Association of Canada, and with the support of Natural Resources Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada will be holding an Aboriginal stakeholder engagement workshop on September 20-21 at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Click here for more information

Coast Forest Products Association inquires with Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation regarding the Maa-nulth Treaty and Reasonable Opportunities Language Coast Forest recently sent a letter of inquiry to the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation regarding the upcoming Maa-nulth Treaty and how it may affect its member’s forest and business planning, operations and capital investment. Click here to read the letter

B.C. Coastal Forest Sector Hem-Fir Initiative This quarterly bulletin provides up-to-date information on projects related to the five-year Coastal (Hemlock and Amabilis Fir) Initiatives. Click here for more information

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Launches 'Investments in Forest Industry Transformation' Program The 'Investments in Forest Industry Transformation Program' (IFIT) has been created to assist Canada’s forest sector in becoming more economically competitive, and environmentally sustainable, through targeted investments in transformative technologies. Funding of $100M over four years is available for multi-partner projects implementing new technologies leading to non-traditional, high-value forest products and renewable energy. The program has just announced its first Call for Proposals and welcomes applications up to September 17, 2010, from forest companies across Canada whose projects meet the program’s eligibility criteria. For additional details, please email ifit@nrcan.gc.ca Click here for general information on the IFIT program, as well as the Application Form and Program Guide

2010 SFI Annual Conference - "The Power of Partnerships". The 15th Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) Annual Conference will be held September 21-23, 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside. Join moderator Rick Jeffery, President & CEO of the Coast Forest Products Association for this year's exciting and informative program bringing together participants from all facets of the forest industry. Click here for more information

Now Available for BC Hydro's Industrial Customers & Stakeholders: Current Newsletter Current is a monthly email newsletter for BC Hydro's industrial customers. It focuses on energy and cost-saving opportunities by providing updates on Power Smart funding and incentives for B.C. industry, customer success stories and best practices information. Click here for more information

Guide to Exporting BC Wood Products to China In recent years the British Columbia government and BC forestry associations have been experiencing a growing need to be able to provide potential exporters with a comprehensive guide to help people get started in planning and conducting wood export activities to China from Canada. "Exporting BC Wood Products to China" is a guide addressing Chinese import restrictions and BC and Canadian export regulations and processes. Click here to download the export guide

British Columbia Business Council Outlook 2020 Synthesis Report Outlook 2020 is an outward-looking, non-partisan initiative examining all aspects of the provincial economy and seeks to draw on the rich sources of knowledge and expertise available to the Business Council. This major synthesis report draws on the insights and discussion from the BCBC's recent Summit Series, the papers commissioned by the Business Council, and other ongoing research and analysis. Click here to download the full synthesis report

Pacific Carbon Trust launches new streamlined project acquisition process PCT has launched its first targeted call for forest-based offset projects. This procurement creates a new category of economic opportunities for the forest sector in BC. Click here for more information

New Legislation to Protect Logging Contractors The antiquated Woodworker Lien Act will be replaced with a new Forestry Service Providers Protection Act, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today. Click here for more information

2010 Power Smart Forum & Excellence Awards The BC Hydro 2010 Power Smart Excellence Awards and Forum will be taking place October 25 - 27, 2010 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. As planning for this exciting event begins, BC Hydro is inviting the wood products and forestry sectors in BC to participate and is issuing a call for nominations for the BC Hydro Workplace Conservation Leader award, as well as a call for speakers at the Power Smart Forum. Click here for more information

SFI Inc. Launces New Standard ; Leads Forest Certification Forward Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) Inc. has released a new standard that reinforces its important role in supporting and promoting sustainable forest management as one of the world’s leading third-party forest certification programs Click here for more information

"Adding Value to the BC Forest Sector Through Carbon Offsets" Recently presented to the Coast Forest Products Association Board of Directors, The Pacific Carbon Trust's presentation gives a comprehensive overview of its role in supporting the growth of BC's low-carbon economy. Click here to download the presentation

Provincial Government Releases HST Transition Rules to Provide Clarity to Businesses and Consumers The Government of B.C. has released proposed general transitional rules to help guide businesses and consumers in a smooth changeover to the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced today. Click here for more information

B.C. Coastal Forest Sector Biomass Study The following Technote, issued by FPInnovations, summarizes a recent assessment of economically accessible biomass, as part of the ongoing BC coastal forest sector Hem-Fir initiative. The full report is available to Canadian companies upon request by sending an email request to: FERICVancouver.Admin@fpinnovations.ca Click here for more information

Wood Use Promoted to Tackle Climate Change "Tackle Climate Change, Use Wood", produced in conjunction with B.C.’s Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd., the Forest Products Association of Canada and the B.C. Forestry Climate Change Working Group, informs global markets and consumers about B.C. forests and how they produce renewable, climate-friendly products that sequester carbon. Click here for more information on BC forests and sustainability Click here to download the news release and booklet

Canadian Wood. Renewable by Nature. Sustainable by Design. Information and inspiring images on the usage and sustainability of Canadian wood in architectural design from The Canadian Wood Council, published in conjunction with the Forest Products Association of Canada and bcforestinformation.com. Click here to view

Canada's Forest Industry: Recognizing the Challenges and Opportunities A Report of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources has recommended changes in federal policy affecting the forest industry to encourage new investment and new opportunities. Click here to read the report