Second, we are greatly heartened by the appointment of Pat Bell as Minister of Forests and Range. Pat brings to the portfolio a passion that is urgently required and is the right person for the job, particularly at this time of great financial difficulty.

Third, there are many tough months ahead for the industry. Markets remain soft, prices low, exchange rates high and costs continue to escalate. Many in the business community are now focused on our economic prospects post 2010 and some really hard work is required by government, industry and other stakeholders to ensure that forestry continues to play a leading role in the economic future of the Province.

Again, have a wonderful but safe summer.

At media events at BCIT in Burnaby, Okanagan College in Kelowna and the College of New Caledonia in Prince George the government and industry launched a communications initiative to raise awareness about the important role wood products can play in the fight to curb climate change.

BC’s forest products store vast amounts of carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. Moreover, by using clean wood based bio-energy in the manufacturing of these products – and substituting them for fossil-fuel-intensive alternatives – further reductions in BC’s greenhouse gas emissions are achieved.

"Living forests convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, while sustainable wood products play an important role in storing carbon,” stated Premier Gordon Campbell. “Through this campaign, we can tap into the growing market for products that are green, sustainable and carbon-smart."

One goal of the initiative is to better inform the building community and consumers about the value of using wood products over other materials. In fact, the carbon stored within an average-sized home built with wood is equivalent to one car’s emissions for five years.

“Wood products are superstars in the fight against climate change when compared to other building products such as concrete and steel,” stated Allan. The fact that our products are manufactured in processes that are highly sensitive to environmental responsibility should ensure we are the suppliers of choice in a world growing more and more concerned about the impact of the products they purchase on the climate.”

The BC Forestry Climate Change Working Group includes industry groups representing a wide range of forest sector companies: the Council of Forest Industries, Coast Forest Products Association, Forest Products Association of Canada, Interior Lumber Manufacturers’ Association, Pulp and Paper BC, Canada Wood and Binational Softwood Council.

The Working Group is working closely with the BC government through the Ministry of Forests and Range and the Climate Action Secretariat to establish the value of our forests and products in a climate change context within the Western Climate Initiative and other provincial, national and international initiatives.

For more information about the role of forest products and forests in tackling climate change go to: www.bcclimatechange.ca.

Fred has an extensive background in China including serving as Minister Counselor (Commercial) at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. Fred was also the Executive Director of the Canada China Business Council based in Toronto and served on CCBC’s Board in Shanghai. He has also filled other overseas roles at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. In the private sector he has guided international clients in the development of their China strategies and was the General Manager for Victorinox China Ltd. (Swiss Army brand). Fred speaks mandarin Chinese and holds an MBA degree. In his new position, Fred will be responsible for managing the Canada Wood presence in China and coordinating the activities and efforts of the various partners of Canada Wood.

To read more about Canada Wood and COFI’s market access activities, go to the July 2008 COFI Market Access Newsletter at: www.cofi.org/canadawood/newsletter/2008_jul/jul2008.html

Premier Gordon Campbell recently told a Whistler convention he wants to support the province's forest industry by allowing the construction of wood-framed condominiums higher than the current four-storey limit allowed under Canada’s National Building Code. Earlier, Housing Minister Rich Coleman, who at the time was also Minister of Forests and Range, had said he wants to see wood-framed buildings up to six storeys high.

Changes in national building regulations are already encouraging multi-storey wood buildings in many European countries – the largest timber-frame building in the United Kingdom is seven storeys.

Our Prince George Community dinner will be held on Thursday the 18th of September at the Coast Inn of the North. Guest speaker for the event will be Hon. Pat Bell, Minister of Forests and Range. The Peace Community dinner will be held in Dawson Creek on October 2nd with Peter Moonen, WoodWORKS! BC speaking on “green building”. October 23rd marks the date for the Bulkley Valley Community dinner being held in Smithers with Kelly McCloskey, President, Wood Promotion Network speaking on the role the forest sector can play in mitigating climate change. Watch for upcoming news articles in September and October on these well attended dinners.

For more information contact Bev Schroeder by phone at: (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail: schroeder@cofi.org.

The Swedes commented that the MPB "devastation" is not as bad as the media had led them to believe.

The delegates are board members of SODRA, an economic association of 52 000 forest estate owners and forest product manufacturers. Their major business areas are growing and selling 18 million m3 of logs, pulp operations, lumber milling, interior finishing products, creating bio-energy from biomass, and most recently wind power.

For further information, contact Steve Kozuki by phone at: (250) 564-5136 or by e-mail at: kozuki@cofi.org.

	John Bowman, President CNC, is joined by the Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Education, Doug Routledge, COFI, VP Northern Operations and the Honourable Bat Bell, Minister of Forests following the awarding of Applied Research Forest to CNC.

The research forest is the first of four key cornerstone initiatives that a coalition of players in the forest sector and CNC faculty and staff put together to ensure the survival and revitalization of CNC’s Forest Technology Program. The other three key initiatives include: an increased emphasis on marketing CNC’s first class curriculum to improve students recruitment levels; a redesigned curriculum that will meet the needs of other resource sectors such as Oil and Gas and Mining; and, engaging the Ministry of Advanced Education regarding how they fund post-secondary programs.

Over the next few years the forest industry and other resource industries will be looking at a shortage of qualified and well-trained workers and the Applied Research Forest and a revitalized Forest and Resource Technology program at CNC will help to fill that void.

Revitalization Coalition Members include:
Association of BC Forest Professionals, Canfor, Central Interior Logging Association, COFI, Council on Northern Interior Forest Employment Relations, Ministry of Forests and Range, Prince George Trucking Association, University of Northern BC, and the Western Silviculture Contractors Association.

For more information contact: Chris Lear, COFI Northern Operations, by phone: 250-614-4352 or by e-mail: lear@cofi.org.

Jan, you were a vital part of our COFI team. We will miss your energy, patience, humour and quest for high standards. Enjoy your well earned retirement.

For more information contact Doug Routledge by phone at: (250) 564-5136 or by email: Routledge@cofi.org.

Jan Ball presented with a wooden bowl inlaid with stones to form an Inukshuk.

The program, called Industrial Wood Processing and Management (IWPM), was designed with extensive input from wood products manufacturers. It is predominantly online-driven, with regular opportunities for interactive classroom seminars through the Internet. Convenience, flexibility and affordability are key features of the program.

Companies no longer have to lose a worker to send him or her offsite for training. And workers don’t have to leave home or lose pay in order to upgrade their skills. Students have the freedom to take just the one course they need, or work through the program for full Certificate or Diploma credentials.

To register for September 2008 courses, contact John McDonald, Program Head (cell. 778-928-2356, email. John_McDonald@bcit.ca). For more information about training opportunities through BCIT, contact Kit Tam, Director, Industry Services, BCIT School of Construction and the Environment (cell. 778-928-2200, email. Kit_Tam@bcit.ca).

Chris stressed that using wood products helps offset climate change and that wood is a natural part of the solution to climate change. His presentation incorporated information about our forests ability to absorb and sequester carbon as well as how using wood lengthens the time carbon can be sequesters. Chris discussed the economic and environmental rationale for building with wood and data comparing wood with other building materials that clearly reinforces the social and economic benefits from using wood. “Wood is the ‘natural’ part of the climate change solution”.

For more information, please contact: Chris Lear, COFI Northern Operations, by phone at: (250) 614-4352 or by e-mail at:lear@cofi.org.

Chris Lear, COFI Northern Operations Forest Education Manager addresses the Fort St John and District Chamber of Commerce, June 24, 2008