Roundtable on Forestry Set

Friday, March 07, 2008 03:18 PM

The membership and terms of reference for the Working Roundtable on Forestry have been released.

Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman says the Working Roundtable has been asked to develop recommendations and ideas government, the forestry industry and others can act on to strengthen British Columbia's forest sector over the next five to 10 years. "Their ideas will put government in a position to
adopt practical solutions that will lead to a stronger, more vibrant and sustainable forest industry in British Columbia for the future."

The roundtable's primary focus will be on identifying conditions for the long-term success of British Columbia's forest sector within the global
marketplace.

Key considerations will include:

climate change and the challenges and opportunities it presents for B.C. forests;
remaining competitive in evolving world economies;
the impact of innovation and technology on forestry;
changing demographics within an aging workforce;
issues affecting B.C.'s forests, such as the mountain pine beetle;
changing social expectations of forests and the forest industry;
upholding First Nations' rights; and
sustaining B.C.'s world-renowned environmental standards.

The Roundtable will also hold meetings in communities around the province and provide Roundtable members with an opportunity to hear from local experts and community leaders, and to visit local mills and woodlands.

"We need to build the forestry sector for the next generation," said Coleman. "Through the Working Roundtable, I am optimistic we can bring forward innovative ideas that will help our forestry sector remain viable in the long term."

The Roundtable will be chaired by Coleman and vice chaired by Dana Hayden. Roundtable members were chosen for their ability to receive, consider and provide new perspectives and ideas.

Frank Everitt, President, United Steel Workers Local 1-424
Bill Kordyban Jr., President, Carrier Lumber Ltd.
Mike Frazier, Mayor, Village of McBride
John Cowan, Principal, Osborne Group
Mike Harkies, Vice-president and General Manager, Solid Wood and Kraft Papers, Tolko Industries Ltd.
Jack Heavenor, Managing Partner, Downie Timber Ltd.
David Gandossi, Executive Vice-president, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Mercer International (pulp and paper)
Donald Hayes, President, Hayes Logging Services Limited
Jake Kerr, Managing Partner, Lignum Forest Products and Chairman, Lignum Investments Ltd.
Thomas Olsen, President, Triumph Timber
Beverlee Park, Executive Vice-president and Chief Financial Officer, TimberWest
Conrad Pinette, Director, TimberWest
Dave Porter, First Nations Summit - Kaska Nation
Chief Lynda Price, Ulkatcho First Nation
Jonathan Rhone, President and CEO, Nexterra Energy Corp.
Daryl Swetlishoff, Forest Investment Advisor, Raymond James Ltd.
Derek Thompson, Associate Professor, Royal Roads University
Pat Bell, Minister of Agriculture and Lands
Ron Cantelon, MLA, Nanaimo-Parksville
Blair Lekstrom, MLA, Peace River South

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Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 03:18 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: camoose on March 7 2008 3:42 PM

Does anyone out there know why these government feel good consultations are always called "Round Tables"? Why not oblong tables, square tables, oval tables, kitchen tables or vega-"tables?'

Posted by: trueblue2 on March 7 2008 4:07 PM

where are the two big players - Canfor and West Fraser? Isn't it odd they are not at the table?

Posted by: owl on March 7 2008 4:37 PM

I wish the steel workers would figure out that steel and wood are two completely different materials. No wonder the forest industry is in trouble. First the steel industry goes in the dump and now they drag down forestry with them.

;-)

round table discussion ....

http://static.ut.edu/public_info/UT_life/images/roundtable.jpg

the origin ... King Arthur's round table ... (k)nights of the round table ...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/King_Arthur_and_the_Knights_of_the_Round_Table.jpg

Posted by: owl on March 7 2008 4:44 PM

"Roundtable members were chosen for their ability to receive, consider and provide new perspectives and ideas."

When I look at the names, it seems to me that they all have a part in the industry that is having problems. If they were not able to solve the problems in their normal every day business dealings, what will cause them to come up with new perspectives and ideas?

Posted by: astro on March 7 2008 4:57 PM

Since plastic bags are environmentally unsound may some sort of flexible containment system could be made from wood. Then we would have a product that could replace plastic, that is recyclable and sustainable. Maybe we could even make these containment systems in BC. We could call them "Pine And Pulp Environmentally Renewable" Bags.

Posted by: lunarbase on March 7 2008 5:39 PM

It takes more energy and resources to produce the paper bag than the plastic ones and they take just about as long to decompose. So in other words, the plastic bags are better.

Posted by: realitysetsin on March 7 2008 5:49 PM

Owl; I've always thought that was weird too. Woodworkers represented by a Steelworkers union.

Steelworkers make a product that is often in direct competition with wood?!?!? Odd.

It is actually a pretty well rounded formidable group.

Canfor and West Fraser do their lobbying through COFI, I don't think any of the other industry principles represented do. Interesting to see Tolko represented. Usually they seem to fly below the radar.

The one I don't get is Jake Kerr. He buys lumber from producers and resells it, and owns the baseball team in Vancouver. but doesn't manufacture?

Smart, well connected guy though.

Posted by: socredible on March 7 2008 9:06 PM

Owl:-"When I look at the names, it seems to me that they all have a part in the industry that is having problems. If they were not able to solve the problems in their normal every day business dealings, what will cause them to come up with new perspectives and ideas?"

Good point, Owl. Wonder if the 'final report' has already been written, BEFORE any 'evidence' has been heard?

Posted by: Harbinger on March 8 2008 11:51 AM

They all have to look like they care. Employees get a little table beside the grown ups to discuss their problems?

Posted by: lumbertrader on March 8 2008 1:58 PM

Jake Kerr could very well end up being the next President/CEO of a "Super-company" that forms together to fight off Canfor and West Fraser . That appears to be what it takes to get favorable treatment and respect and a level playing field with them and the Canadian Gov.

Weyco will be out of the Lumber Manuf. business very soon I predict all together.

Tolko/Carrier/Interfor/Dunkley/Tembec maybe could all battle the Fraser/Canfor Giants...Maybe, if the Government is smart they would allow/encourage that move.

Posted by: lumbertrader on March 8 2008 1:59 PM

That is why Jake Kerr is there realitysetsin. He is still very much in the game, don't you believe he is not.

Posted by: realitysetsin on March 8 2008 2:57 PM

lumbertrader;

Sure, his name just jumped out as he isn't directly involved in the manufacturing side.

Also I'm not convinced that Tolko isn't already doing battle with West Fraser / Canfor.

Canfor isn't really in the same league as West Fraser in terms of costs. Most analyst figure Tolko is around as efficient as West Fraser.

There was an article in a Vancouver paper that said the owner of Tolko was to meet with the Forest Minister and the Premier on the Friday before the start of Tolko's two week shut. coincidence? I think not. I think Tolko brass saw what happened in Fort Nelson where Canfor got a big stumpage rebate and they wanted in on the action.

Think about it, they are probably operating at or near shutdowns costs and they have an opportunity to make a big statement right before the meeting with government. The shoe fits. If they get no stumpage rebates or whatever from government what do they lose? Not much.

Posted by: lumbertrader on March 8 2008 8:29 PM

if we are talking dollars which is what the Canadian Gov. really cares about..then Tolko is no where near being on the same playing field as Fraser/Canfor.

Those two are 400 lb Gorilla's....tolko is a big chimp. (if you get my drift)

Look for Jake Kerr to be back in the thick of the manuf. game, any day now actually, it would not suprise me a bit.

I think Interfor/Pope&Talbot/Tolko/Tembec abitibi-bowater dunkley/carrier would make a nice 400 lb gibbon themselves and able to take on the other two.

my 2 cents

Posted by: realitysetsin on March 8 2008 9:18 PM

I was talking manufacturing costs of canfor / west fraser / tolko. Canfor isn't seen as lean like the other two.

Total sales you are right. Tolko, in solid wood is much smaller.

You really think that Tolko would have anything to do with Kerr?

Dunkley would be a jewel of a mill to get a hold of. I just can't see it though. I think expansion will be to the south, as in the USA if at all.

I have to think that Canfor/West Fraser/Tolko would rather let others go bankrupt rather than spend precious cash on acquisitions that are only going to lose money for at least a year to 18 months. A year from now would be when I would expect the mergers to happen because then the price would be dirt cheap, and you are only 6 months or so away from profitability, hopefully!

Posted by: lumbertrader on March 9 2008 9:14 AM

you are correct realitysetsin...in a lot of ways, that is exactly what fraser and canfor are doing- however I just can't help but think Tolko would rather try and build up a defense or form some sort of multi mill strategy rather than surrender and become part of the canfor/fraser group or just go away.

It IS good for the industry, the people of Canada, and even the Gov. for there to be more than 2 big monster monopolies...even in the forest products biz.

Posted by: socredible on March 9 2008 11:41 AM

It's NOT good for the industry, nor the people of Canada, nor even for the Government, for there to be ANY big monster monopolies. They should be broken-up.

The only efficiency that ever comes out of monster monopolies of any kind is a "paper" efficiency ~ "real" efficiency is continually diminished by them.

Posted by: Harbinger on March 9 2008 3:45 PM

Hydro, natural gas, car insurance, post office, Greyhound Buses, cablevision and gambling are all monopoly run. I don't see a problem.

Posted by: socredible on March 9 2008 8:18 PM

They're all 'regulated' monopolies, Harbinger, because they're natural monopolies. The forest industry isn't a natural monopoly, it delivers its product to consumers most efficiently when there's competition present.