Emergency Talks Scheduled as Industry Shrinks

A broad coalition of British Columbia forestry stakeholders has secured an emergency meeting with the provincial government within a week after delivering an open letter to Premier David Eby. Representing loggers, truckers, First Nations, unions, and specialty groups, the 15 signatories are calling for immediate provincial intervention to stabilize a struggling sector.

The B.C. pulp industry has experienced significant contraction in recent years. “In the last 12 months, we have lost four pulp mills. In the last three years, we have lost seven. There were 17 pulp mills in B.C. three years ago – today there are 10. If we don’t take immediate action, that number will be single digits before this year ends and I believe in five-to-ten years, there will be no industry left,” stated Joe Nemeth from the B.C. Pulp and Paper Coalition.

Local Impacts and Sector Integration

In Kamloops, pulp operations form the core of the local forest sector, where the Kruger mill provides direct and indirect employment for hundreds of residents. Expanding U.S. Section 338 tariffs are anticipated to affect the pulp market, though Nemeth noted that direct trade impacts differ from lumber. “Unlike lumber, the tariffs aren’t as dramatic of a direct hit because we sell about 90 per cent of our pulp offshore, not to the United States,” Nemeth said. “We are not as exposed as lumber, which is about 50 per cent. However, pulp market pricing and pulp market demand is at a seasonal low, and it does that – it cycles up and down.”

Because wood fibre and chips account for 50 to 60 per cent of pulp manufacturing costs, pulp operations and sawmills depend heavily on one another. “If pulp mills are not operating we take six-to-seven sawmills with us for each pulp mill and vice-versa. We are closely integrated,” added Nemeth.

Permitting Delays and Proposed Relief

Industry leaders cite access to timber as their primary challenge, pointing to substantial delays in obtaining provincial approvals. “We need readily, timely access to timber. That is our number one issue. And to give you a real poignant example, if you go one province over to Alberta, it takes weeks to get a cutting permit, whereas in British Columbia, it now takes years of red tape and cost,” said Nemeth.

Kamloops MLA and forestry critic Ward Stamer expressed support for the recommendations submitted by the Council of Forest Industries (COFI), urging swift government intervention. “I support the recommendations submitted by COFI. We need to act quickly and swiftly if we are to save our forest industry. Quicker permitting for wildfire salvage and BCTS sales. Any relief from BC government in fees, fuel, taxes,” said Stamer. Industry representatives suggest that expanding the allowable cut and streamlining permit timelines offer practical avenues for rapid government action.

Reflections at Gander International Airport

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives, hundreds gathered at Gander International Airport on Thursday evening for an event titled “Untold Stories — Reconnected.” The gathering brought together former officials, flight crews, and community responders to recount their experiences during the historical crisis.

Crucial Decisions in the Air Space

Former federal minister of transport David Collenette detailed the moment he learned of the tragedy while speaking in Montreal on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. After receiving a note from an aide to wrap up his speech, Collenette rushed back to Ottawa. He was tasked with making critical aviation choices, which included directing 229 U.S.-bound passenger jets to land at Canadian facilities, such as airports in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Stephenville, St. John’s, and Gander. To ensure safety against further potential security threats, he directed passengers to stay aboard the grounded aircraft for several hours.

Recalling the pressure of managing a sky where planes entered Canadian airspace every 90 seconds, Collenette noted that everyone reacted on instinct to handle their responsibilities, expressing hope that such an event never recurs.

Local Humanitarian Effort

When North American airspace closed following the attacks, 38 commercial airliners landed in Gander alone. The arrival brought almost 7,000 disoriented passengers and crew members, effectively doubling the population of the central Newfoundland town in hours. The resulting local support effort inspired the musical Come From Away and built lasting bonds between visitors and residents.

Among the speakers was Guy Gullick, pilot of US Airways Flight 3 from Rome to Philadelphia, which was the final aircraft to land in Gander that day. Gullick recalled asking an airport worker about the lack of surrounding security, to which the worker replied that nothing happens there and that they were safe. Gullick praised local hospitality worker Susan Scharpegge for sleeping on the hotel floor despite available rooms, describing the community’s actions as an example of compassion for the world.

Community Members Step Up

Local figures also shared memories of assisting the incoming travellers. Salvation Army officer Marlene George recalled reassuring an anxious passenger that Gander was the right place to be stranded, noting that residents offered genuine love. Meanwhile, Gambo resident Frazer Lush left a school bus drivers’ strike picket line to lend assistance and help clean schools serving as temporary shelters, stating that helping people in need superseded the job dispute.

Premier Reassigns Portfolios Ahead of Fall Legislative Return

Ontario Premier Doug Ford executed several cabinet changes on Thursday, seven weeks before Members of Provincial Parliament return to the legislature. The adjustments follow the departure of three cabinet ministers since the spring, including Caroline Mulroney, who retired from provincial politics earlier this year, and former CFL player Neil Lumsden, who also retired. Former minister Stan Cho resigned from cabinet following controversy regarding $16,000 in taxpayer-expensed Toronto hotel costs despite representing a riding within the city.

Key Portfolios Shifted Among Cabinet Veterans

As part of the roster changes, Kinga Surma was named President of the Treasury Board, taking over the influential post responsible for government expenditure choices previously held by Mulroney. David Piccini moves from leading the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to head the Ministry of Infrastructure. Addressing journalists after the announcement, Ford characterized Piccini’s transition as a natural move and dismissed claims linking it to the ongoing Skills Development Fund controversy.

Piccini’s three-year tenure at the labour ministry faced scrutiny beginning a year ago after media reporting by outlets including The Trillium and a critical report from the auditor general highlighted issues with the Skills Development Fund. In December, Ontario’s integrity commissioner initiated an inquiry into his allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars in worker-training grants, some of which went to organizations tied to the Progressive Conservatives. Sources in or connected to the government previously indicated Ford intended to wait for the commissioner’s ethics ruling before altering Piccini’s role; however, that wait was dropped as the probe has extended longer than the office’s prior Greenbelt investigation.

New Appointments and Associate Roles Introduced

Trevor Jones takes over as Ontario’s new minister of labour, vacating his previous role as minister of agriculture, which has now been assigned to Sam Oosterhoff. Meanwhile, Zee Hamid joins cabinet as the minister of tourism, culture and gaming, stepping into the position previously held by Cho.

The reorganization also introduces several new members to cabinet. Brian Saunderson has been designated as minister of sport to replace Lumsden. Matthew Rae enters cabinet as associate minister of energy-intensive industries within the Ministry of Energy and Mines, while Michelle Cooper has been appointed associate minister of mental health and addictions, where she will collaborate alongside the minister of health.