Alberta Renews 20-Year Forest Management Agreement With West Fraser and Tolko Industries in High Prairie and Slave Lake Regions

The Alberta provincial government announced on Wednesday (2-22-22) that it has renewed its 20-year joint forest management agreement (FMA) with West Fraser and Tolko Industries. The FMA covers 245,527 hectares in the Slave Lake and High Prairie Regions in the province.

According to a government news release, the FMAs will potentially contribute $3.2 million in holding and protection charge payments, $69.4 million in timber dues, and $1.2 billion to Alberta’s GDP.

Alberta’s Forests Minister Nate Horner said the renewed FMA allows West Fraser and Tolko to make long-term investments in Alberta. “Secure access to wood fiber is a critical component of Alberta’s Recovery Plan and ensures our forestry sector remains competitive in a globalized economy.”

The FMA renewal process involved a thorough assessment of the companies’ compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and policies, as well as their sustainable forest management plans. West Fraser and Tolko’s recently approved forest management plan is in place until 2031.

West Fraser’s sawmill and Tolko’s OSB facility in High Prairie employ a combined 300 people directly and provide another 750 indirect jobs.

D’Arcy Henderson, vice-president of Canadian woodlands for West Fraser and Brad Thorlakson, Tolko president and CEO both said that they were pleased see the FMA renewal.