The BC Government announced on Monday that more employment opportunities are in progress for contractors and forestry workers throughout rural BC under the province’s Forest Employment Program (FEP). It will be funded through the province’s $185 million support package to help British Columbians impacted by old growth deferrals.
News in lumber
Western Forest Products Announces Temporary Curtailment at Its Port Alberni, BC, Sawmill
Western Forest Products said that operations at its sawmill in Port Alberni, BC, have been temporarily curtailed. Work at the Alberni Pacific Division Sawmill has been curtailed since mid-October, and currently there is no date set for when it may restart.
Resolute Forest Products Shareholders Vote in Favor of Paper Excellence Group Offer
Resolute Forest Products Inc. (RFP) announced on Monday that their stockholders have approved a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 5, 2022, for the $2.7 billion acquisition offer from Paper Excellence Group.
Weyerhaeuser Strike Comes to an End
Weyerhaeuser announced on Friday afternoon the successful resolution to a more than 6-week labor dispute, which has interrupted production in Oregon and Washington. The new agreement will result in the resumption of normal operations at all sites.
Skeena Sawmills Announces Terrace, BC, Facility Will Only Operate 50% Of the Time
Skeena Sawmills in Terrace, BC, informed employees that the company is facing the highest fiber costs in recent memory. According to Lionel Chabot, the plant manager, the mill will be operating 50% of the time going forward from now and into the New Year.
Gorman Bros. Lumber Reduces Workforce at Its West Kelowna, BC, Sawmill
On Monday, Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd. announced it was making a small reduction to its workforce at its West Kelowna, BC, sawmill facility. The layoffs are a result of industry-wide challenges in sourcing timber supplies, the company says.
Potential Agreement Reached to End Seven-Week Weyerhaeuser Strike in Oregon and Washington
Springfield Oregon Television reported on Friday that progress toward ending a strike between Weyerhaeuser workers and the company, in Oregon and Washington State, might be nearing an end after a federal mediator was brought in.
US Commerce Department Corrects Softwood Lumber Subsidies for Non-Selected Canadian Companies
On October 11, 2022, the US Department of Commerce published a notice in the Federal Register, in which the department amended its notice of final results for the 2020 administrative review of the countervailing duty (CVD) order on certain softwood lumber products from Canada.
Interfor Announces Q4 Lumber Production Curtailments Across All Regions
Interfor Corporation announced that it plans to reduce its lumber production output in Q4 by approximately 200 million board feet, or 17% of quarterly capacity, due to current economic conditions and market uncertainty, which have led to reduced lumber demand.
Commonwealth Plywood Announces Reopening of Rapides des Joachims Sawmill in Quebec
Commonwealth Plywood Company Ltd. announced that it is reopening its sawmill located in Rapides des Joachims, Pontiac Country, Quebec. Commonwealth has invested over $ 1 million (CAD) to get the sawmill back into operation.