Statistics Canada reported Tuesday that the Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.3% year-over-year in March, following a 5.2% increase in February. This was the smallest increase since August 2021 when it was 4.1%.
Wood Markets News
BC and Canadian Federal Government Reach Settlement Agreement With Five First Nations on Treaty Land Entitlement Claims
On Saturday, five First Nations in BC, alongside government representatives, announced settlement agreements of the Nations’ Treaty Land Entitlements claims. The settlements resolve long-standing claims that these First Nations did not receive all the lands owed to them under a 1899 treaty.
US Builder Sentiment Up for Fourth Consecutive Month in April
On Monday, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that builder sentiment in the market for newly built single-family homes increased 1 point in April to a reading of 45—the fourth consecutive month of gains.
New Listings of US Homes For Sale Dips for Eighth Consecutive Month
Redfin reported that for the four-week period ending on Sunday, April 9th, new listings of US homes for sale dropped 25% year-over-year. This continues an eight consecutive month streak of double-digit declines of new home listings.
Kenya to End Six-Year-Old Logging Ban in July
On Sunday, Kenya’s Forestry Permanent Secretary Kimotho Kimani announced that the ban on logging forests, imposed six years ago, will be lifted in July, according to The Star newspaper in Nairobi, Kenya. Kimani said the move will allow licensed sawmillers to resume harvesting mature trees from both public and private forests.
US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for the Week Ending April 14th
The US National Interagency Fire Center is reporting that as of Friday, 30 large new fires were reported. Wildland firefighters and support personnel are working towards containment goals on 20 large fires in nine states, with the most activity being reported in Oklahoma.
Roseburg Forest Products Announces $700 Million Investment to Expand and Upgrade Its Operations in Oregon
Roseburg Forest Products announced on Friday that it plans to invest $700 million over the next four years to upgrade and expand its manufacturing operations in Oregon. The investment includes the creation of two new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and upgrades at existing facilities.
Remodeler Sentiment Inches Higher in Q1
The National Association of Builders/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for Q1 was released on Thursday. According to the report, the RMI for Q1 edged 1 point higher from 2022Q4 to a reading of 70.
Mercer Holz Launches Program to Support German Forest Owners
Mercer recently announced the launch of its program “Growing forests – Growing a future” to support forest owners in Germany. Mercer Holz, the wood purchasing organization of Mercer, is committed to partner with forest owners in Germany to sustain the longevity of their forests.
Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railroad Formally Complete Their Combination
The Canadian Pacific Railway and the Kansas City Southern Railroad formally completed their combination on Friday. This follows formal approval from the US Surface Transportation board a month ago. The new railroad will go by “CPKC.”