Latest news with #RaviParmar
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Carney confirms possibility of lumber quotas in trade deal with the United States
Prime Minister Mark Carney said any future trade deal with the United States could include quotas on Canadian softwood lumber exports, a sector that has been a sore point in cross-border trade relations long before U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. "There is normally some element of managed trade that comes out of any agreement, " Carney said Wednesday in Hamilton, Ont., where he spoke to steelworkers to announce measures to support that industry. He said "that can include quotas," among a "variety of trade factors." Carney's comments come after B.C. Premier David Eby told Bloomberg News that the federal government had been speaking with the provinces about quotas to resolve the softwood lumber dispute as part of a larger deal. "What the premier is saying that we are putting the option of quotas on the table as part of those discussions," Ravi Parmar, B.C.'s Forest Minister said in an interview Wednesday. Parmar acknowledged that neither government nor industry have historically supported such quotas. "But this is a really important time," Parmar said. "We are looking for the federal government to ensure that softwood lumber is just as important as steel or aluminum and auto in those conversations." Carney said he had been in close contact with Eby about the softwood file, adding that resolving the conflict is a "top priority" as the United States prepares to double various duties to 34.45 per cent. Canada and the United States have been without a softwood lumber agreement since 2015, and Eby has previously said that resolving the dispute could "build momentum" for a larger, more comprehensive trade deal. Trump's latest threat is to impose 35 per cent tariffs by Aug. 1 on Canadian goods currently not compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Carney said he agreed with Eby's idea of resolving the softwood lumber dispute as part of a larger trade deal, but added that both issues are unfolding along different times lines. British Columbia accounts for about 40 per cent of Canada's softwood lumber exports to the United States, according to the BC Lumber Trade Council, but the industry has been struggling, and artificial export limits could further damage it. Kurt Niquidet, president of the B.C. Lumber Trade Council, said in a written statement that the industry represents a "cornerstone" of B.C.'s forest economy, and a "vital part" of Canada's trading relationship with the U.S. "Resolving this long-standing dispute is essential to protecting jobs, supporting communities, and ensuring a stable, competitive future for our forest sector." That statement did not directly comment on the quota proposal. — with files from David Baxter This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025. Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Nearly one-third of forests in northeast B.C. could burn by year's end: province
Nearly 30 per cent of the forested land base in the Prince George Fire Centre, which covers B.C.'s northeast, is likely to burn by the end of this year, according to the province. Forest Minister Ravi Parmar says the region has already seen nearly 7,000 square kilometres burned by wildfires since June. That's by far the most of any of B.C.'s six fire centres, with the second highest being the Northwest Fire Centre, where just under 40 square kilometres have burned. "People in the area have endured not just the physical threat of fires, but the emotional toll of displacement, smoke and uncertainty," Parmar said during a visit to the fire-affected region this week. Over the past two fire seasons the province says wildfires have burned more forest area in the region than in the previous 60 years combined, for a total of 10 per cent of the region's land are. As a region, the Prince George Fire Centre spans more than 330,000 square kilometres, making it ten times the size of Vancouver Island. The region has witnessed some of the province's most destructive wildfires, including the 2023 Donnie Creek wildfire, the largest recorded in B.C.'s history. Last May, the Parker Lake wildfire forced the evacuation of thousands of Fort Nelson residents and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation. "That community knows all too well the devastating impacts of fires," said Parmar. "They remain cautious and certainly are doing their part in fire smarting their communities." Experts say the conditions fuelling the fires are deeply rooted in long-term drought and a rapidly changing climate. "This region of the province is in a multi-year drought. It has been in a drought condition for six or seven years now," said Lori Daniels, a forestry expert and professor at the University of British Columbia. She says the boreal and sub-boreal forests of the northeast are particularly vulnerable to intense fires because of their deep, organic soils. WATCH | How holdover fires work: "We see these fires burning down deep into the soil as well as burning above ground," Daniels said. "Some of the fires currently burning in northeast B.C. have been burning since May of 2023." These "holdover" fires, she explained, can smoulder underground through winter, only to resurface and reignite in the spring and summer. When fires burn hot and fast enough, they can also generate their own weather systems, including towering pyrocumulonimbus clouds, Daniels says. Though they don't bring any rain, they do create weather that can aggravate an already critical fire situation. How wildfires create their own weather 2 years ago Duration 1:12 According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, crews are now routinely forced to dig deep below the surface to extinguish underground blazes. "The drought itself has caused the fire to burn into the root systems of the trees," said fire information officer Taylor Colman. "So it's not as simple as just extinguishing from the surface." Colman says fuels in the region, such as dead leaves, branches, and dry grass, remain highly susceptible to ignition and fire danger ratings remain high to extreme. She says the wildfire service is continuing to pre-position crews and equipment in the northeast to respond to new starts and manage ongoing fires. Parmar says the province is ramping up investments in year-round firefighting capacity and working with First Nations on prescribed and cultural burning as mitigation strategies.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
B.C. Wildfire Service expecting more fires with forecasted thunderstorms: minister
Then-NDP candidate, now B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar answers questions from the media while in Langford, B.C., on Thursday, May 25, 2023. (Chad Hipolito / The Canadian Press) FORT ST. JOHN — The B.C. Wildfire Service says the province is facing fewer active wildfires this year compared with last season at this time, but a forecast of thunderstorms and lighting will 'certainly' cause more blazes. Wildfire information officer Taylor Colman says this year is off to a 'cooler and wetter start' in the Interior, but northeastern B.C. continues to be a yearly hot spot for wildfire activity. Colman says the province has seen 'relatively normal' summer weather patterns with a few days of warm and dry conditions tapered by brief cool-down periods, but long-range forecasts can't predict expected summer heat. The wildfire service says strong winds across B.C. are expected later Tuesday, with up to 60-kilometre gusts in some locations near the Rockies. It says there are more than 70 active wildfires burning in the province, with 19 classified as out of control, but Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says 13 blazes were declared out in the last 24 hours. The Izman Creek wildfire burning near Lytton is the only wildfire of note and remains out of control after being sparked on July 1 when a tire fell off an RCMP trailer, lighting dry grass in a roadside ditch. 'It's hard to imagine that almost four years to the day after the town of Lytton was nearly destroyed, that the community would yet again be facing the threat of wildfire,' Parmar said at a wildfire update in Fort St. John on Tuesday. 'It's a tough time for that community.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Sunshine Coast Community Forest wins provincial excellence award
The Sunshine Coast Community Forest may be one of B.C.'s smallest but it punches well above its weight. The operation earned the 2025 Robin Hood Memorial Award for excellence in community forestry on May 29, recognizing its outsized impact on the local community. The award recognizes the organization's community-centred approach to forestry management and its substantial economic contributions to the region. Since 2007, the community forest has invested nearly $25 million in local infrastructure, recreation facilities, economic development projects, and community initiatives throughout the Sunshine Coast. One of the forest's recent initiatives is a firewood program that provides affordable, sustainably sourced wood to residents. The program employs individuals facing workforce barriers and supplies firewood at no cost to families experiencing financial hardship. The Sunshine Coast Community Forest, owned by the District of Sechelt, has an annual allowable cut of 20,000 cubic metres and is one of 62 community forests operating across B.C. Together, these community forests contribute more than 2.25 million cubic metres of fibre annually, representing three per cent of the province's total harvest. 'When you hear about local leaders and the incredible benefits they bring to their community through forestry, you can just tell this is what the future of forestry looks like,' said Forests Minister Ravi Parmar in the release. 'The Sunshine Coast Community Forest is this future and is leading with a community-first approach that weaves together local economic resiliency with healthy forests to support those who call the Sunshine Coast home.' The organization maintains strong community ties and transparency through regular engagement activities, including bi-weekly newspaper updates, email newsletters, and a community advisory panel, said the press release. It also organizes educational field trips for school children, university researchers, government officials, and community members. 'It means a lot to us to be recognized among the many exceptional community forests in B.C.,' said Sara Zieleman, executive director of the Sunshine Coast Community Forest in the release. She credited the community's support, volunteer dedication, and organizational partnerships for the recognition. 'We're proud to be part of a network of community forests working to create social, ecological and economic benefits across the province.' The Sunshine Coast Community Forest employs ecosystem-based management techniques that prioritize forest health, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability. Their approach includes retention systems designed to minimize logging impacts while implementing conservation measures to protect wildlife habitats, watersheds, and reduce wildfire risk. The Robin Hood Memorial Award for Excellence in Community Forestry was established in 2016 to honour the legacy of Robin Hood, a British Columbia resident who championed local community forestry and was active in woodlot and community forest communities. Community forests in British Columbia are typically managed through partnerships between local governments, community groups, and First Nations. These operations focus on supporting local communities while contributing to forest economy diversification and creating opportunities in recreation, wildlife, and watershed management. More information about the Sunshine Coast Community Forest can be found online . Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter's civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Vancouver Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Kelowna-based company buys Princeton lumber mill from forestry giant Weyerhaeuser
A West Kelowna company's planned purchase of the Princeton Lumber Mill from forestry giant Weyerhaeuser has drawn applause from B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar. 'I welcome Gorman Group's purchase of Weyerhaeuser's operations in Princeton,' Parmar said in a news release on Wednesday. 'Locally, family-owned-and-operated forest companies are the lifeblood of the forest industry and a cornerstone of our economy. For too long, most major milling operations have been the realm of big industrial conglomerates. But today, the West Kelowna-based business is reversing that trend. Companies like Gorman Group believe in the future of forestry and they know that B.C. is a great place to invest in that future.' Weyerhaeuser announced on Wednesday that it would sell its Princeton mill to the Gorman Group for $120 million cash, which includes Weyerhaeuser's manufacturing facility, all associated timber license assets in British Columbia and the value of working capital. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Gorman Bros. Lumber is the Princeton mill's largest customer. 'Gorman has been a great customer and strategic partner, and we believe this will be a seamless transition that will position the mill for future success in a challenging operating environment — providing long-term certainty for the mill and the broader community,' said Weyerhaeuser Chief Executive Officer Devin Stockfish. Gorman Chief Executive Officer Nick Arkle said the purchase of the mill was a natural fit for the third-generation family company. 'We've had a strong connection to the Princeton operation for many years, and we know first-hand the skill, commitment and quality that define its team. This really will be a case of the whole being stronger than the sum of its parts. We're looking forward to working together with First Nations, governments, communities and all our employees to make this a B.C. success story.' Weyerhaeuser is one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands and one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. The Gorman Group has four divisions in southern B.C. — two sawmills, a remanufacturing plant, a plywood plant, and a pole plant. It also owns a remanufacturing plant in northern Washington state. The number of people employed in forestry, once one of B.C.'s largest industries, has been cut in half since 2000, according to a report from the B.C. Council of Forest Industries. The main driver of those job losses has been a 55 per cent reduction in the provincial harvest, with forest fires, pine beetle infestations and provincial conservation policies affecting the availability of trees for harvest. dcarrigg@
