B.C. is what economists call a small open economy. In order to thrive and grow we need strong and robust trade flows particularly in our resource sectors. We also benefit when there are no tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade.

In short the B.C. economy and its trading partners require open competitive non-subsidized markets in order to maximize our provincial and/or national income.

So it is with considerable alarm that the U.S. economy, our largest market and trading partner, is seen to be marching down the road of a “beggar thy neighbour” policy—a policy that benefits the U.S. at the expense of the rest of the world.

This is not the time for Buy America, punitive trade measures disguised as climate change policy or black liquor tax credits. This is the time for economic rationality and reasoning to prevail over protectionist politics—our collective future is at stake.

There’s an old joke that goes something like: “I went to a boxing match and a hockey game broke out.” In today’s business context this could be turned into: “I went on the path to economic recovery and a trade war broke out.”

It’s time for our politicians to have the courage to put aside their own political interests for the good of the country and indeed the global economy.

John Allan

From March 11 to March 24, students and teachers from The Quesnel School District travelled to Shanghai as part of a two-week long cultural exchange. One of the highlights of their visit was the opportunity to visit the Dream Home Canada project. Dream House Canada is a show home and display centre designed to highlight the properties and beauty of building with wood. It is one of the strategies to promote the use of B.C. wood products in new markets. The students were really impressed by the structure itself and the hospitality they received during their visit.

They left the site with a feeling of pride in the scope of Canadian technology and the versatility of B.C. forest products. Many thanks go to Chris Lear (Prince George) and the rest of the COFI staff at home and abroad for facilitating the visit.

Dan Broderick, Career Programs, Quesnel Secondary School, School District No. 28 Quesnel.

Southern Interior Forest Education Update

The newly formed Northern Bioenergy Partnership hosted a one-day Northern Bioenergy Forum on May 5, 2009. Held at UNBC and attended by over 80 participants from across Canada, the forum combined information exchange with strategic discussion amongst program participants, wrapped up by a summary and call to action for further development of a bioenergy cluster in Northern British Columbia.

“Northern BC has the potential to be a national bioenergy centre,” states UNBC President, Dr. Charles Jago. “This region is already home to many businesses and institutions engaged in bioenergy research, development, manufacturing and engineering. Together, we are responding to a growing demand for renewable energy and there is a terrific opportunity to build on our existing strengths and create a world-class, knowledge-based bioenergy cluster in Northern British Columbia.“

Leaders in the bioenergy sector from business, government, First Nations, academia and financial sectors met to discuss proven and emerging technologies; critical success factors for the growth of the industry; the role of partnerships, and the strategic importance of strengthening the bioenergy cluster in Prince George in order to grow a world-class bioenergy industry in Northern British Columbia.

Speakers and participants were from companies leading the development of a bioenergy cluster and included Nexterra, Deltech Manufacturing, Alterna Energy and Allnorth Engineering. The keynote speaker was Dr. Fernando Preto, Group Leader for Biomass Conversion, CANMET Technology Centre - Natural Resources Canada and closing remarks were delivered by Michael Weedon, CEO of the BC Bioenergy Network and Mossadiq S. Umedaly, BC Hydro Chair.

Tim McEwan, President and CEO of Initiatives Prince George comments, “The caliber of participants at this forum speaks to the potential for the development of a world-class, leading-edge bioenergy industry in Northern British Columbia with Prince George at its centre.”

For more information on the Bioenergy Forum, visit www.businesspg.com.

The Northern Bioenergy Partnership is currently made up of executive leadership from the Aboriginal Business and Community Development Centre, CNC, Initiatives Prince George, Innovation Resource Centre, National Research Council, Northern Development Initiative Trust and UNBC.

On May 15, the BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN), a provincially-funded industry-led leader supporting the growing bioenergy sector in British Columbia brought together leading bioenergy experts and stakeholders to discuss the future of the bioenergy industry in British Columbia. The conference focused on three main themes:

• Key developments and trends in bioenergy
• Successful Canadian, US, and European collaborations and models of engagement with industry, research, and government
• The opportunities, challenges, and requirements to build a world class bioenergy industry in BC

“This conference was timely given the need to re-energize the forest sector in BC, the debate on effective clean energy policy in BC, and the global growth in bioenergy technologies and products.” stated John Allan, CEO of the Council of Forest Industries (COFI) and Chair of the BC Bioenergy Network. “We are pleased to have brought together bioenergy leaders from BC, the US, and Europe. One thing is very clear – there is excitement about the opportunities for our forest and technology companies and the contribution that bioenergy can make to greenhouse gas reduction.”

Since its creation in April 2008 the BC Bioenergy Network has embarked on an ambitious plan to make BC the leader in bioenergy innovation in North America. “I am pleased that during the last 6 months the BC Bioenergy network has been able to help bring together key industry, research and government stakeholders to create a very positive business environment for the bioenergy industry in BC” stated Michael Weedon, Executive Director of the BC Bioenergy Network. “Our focus going forward will be to support further pilot to full scale technology development, demonstration, and product commercialization, in particular those which are willing to share their economic and environmental benefits.”

In the past 6 months the BC Bioenergy network has supplied over $5.41 million dollars in funding that leveraged over $65.5 million of investment in the bioenergy industry in BC.

Established in April 2008 with a $25 million grant from the BC government, the BC Bioenergy Network is an industry-led association that acts as a catalyst for deploying near-term bioenergy technologies and organizing mission-driven research for the development and demonstration of new bioenergy technologies that are environmentally appropriate for the province of BC. Based on a recently-held focus group, BCBN identified the following technology areas requiring funding support: solid wood residues, pulp and paper residues, harvesting and pelleting, agriculture residues, municipal wastewater, municipal landfill waste, municipal solid waste, and community heating-electricity greenhouse systems. BC is well positioned to become a major player in the global bioenergy sector. The province is steward to one of the largest forested areas in the world, and a leader in biomass to value-added wood products.

The BC Bioenergy Network will provide the leadership to make BC a world leader in developing and marketing wood-to-bioenergy and other bioenergy technologies.

For more information about the BCBN, visit www.bcbioenergy.ca.

Ministry of Forests and Range is asking British Columbians to be vigilant with campfires and other open burning during the upcoming holiday and camping season. Individuals should ensure they are burning in a safe manner.

Since April 1, fire crews have responded to 285 fires across the province, of which more than 98 per cent werehuman-caused.

Although temperatures for most of the province have been cooler than normal this spring, it takes only a few days of warm weather to dry out grasses and forest fuels.

Individuals considering open burning are advised to check with local authorities to see if restrictions are in place. When conducting backyard burning, always ensure enough water, people and tools are available to prevent the fire from escaping.

Campers should never leave their campfires unattended. Always have water and hand tools ready to prevent flames from escaping. To extinguish a campfire, saturate it with water until the ashes are completely cold to the touch.

Fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer, making it more important than ever for the public to help prevent fires.

For the latest information on fire bans, fire danger ratings and weather information, visit the B.C. Wildfire Management website at www.bcwildfire.ca.  Please report all grass and forest fires to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on the cellular network.

Steve Ross, Canada Wood Director of Training and Quality Services, gained national attention on China's Major Television Network news station CCTV for his work in rebuilding Sichuan region. The CCTV broadcast was viewed by more than 250 million Chinese.

Canadian Media icon "Dashan" AKA Mark Rowswell, dubbed "the most famous foreigner in China" publicly acknowledged the work of Canada Wood's Sichuan rebuilding efforts on National Chinese television at the "Wenchuan 5 12 Earthquake Anniversary Event" watched by over 300 million Chinese.

To view these videos go to the Canada Wood website:  www.canadawood.org.

Relay for Life

In honour of COFI staff and ex-staff battling cancer COFI Northern Operations staff, family and friends came together as the “R&B Sunshine Crew” to raise over $2,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society’s 24 hour “Relay for Life” event in Prince George.