Alberta Announces 20-Year Renewal of Forest Management Agreement With Tolko, Norbord, and La Crete

Alberta’s provincial government announced on Tuesday (9-27-22) that it has renewed the forest management agreement (FMA) jointly held by Tolko Industries Ltd., Norbord Inc., and La Crete Sawmills Ltd. for the next 20 years in exchange for important stewardship responsibilities. The agreement establishes the companies’ right to grow and harvest Crown timber from a forest management unit in the northwestern corner of the province, surrounding High Level.

Over the 20-year period, this FMA is expected to maintain more than 1,700 full-time, contract, and seasonal positions and has the potential to contribute the following:

• $48.7 million (CAD) in holding and protection charge payments
• $433 million in timber dues payments
• $6.1 billion to Alberta’s GDP

In a statement prepared for the FMA renewal, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Nate Homer said:

“The decision to renew this joint FMA helps maintain hundreds of good jobs for Albertans, provides our forest sector with sure footing for their long-term investments, and ensures sustainable management practices for Alberta’s forests. Supporting the competitiveness of our wood fiber products grows our province’s forest sector and advances Alberta’s Recovery Plan.”