Forest and Environment News:

Mountain Pine Beetle — UNBC provided with $2.5 million: The provincial government is providing the University of Northern British Columbia with $2.5 million to establish a world-leading wood and fibre multi-site research laboratory to find further uses for trees infested by the mountain pine beetle. The lab, called EvaluTree, is the result of a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), the University of Victoria (UVic) and the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada (Paprican). EvaluTree research will assess, to a much greater degree than currently possible, the properties of wood for the pulp and paper industry, sawmilling and manufacturing. Other projects: The Province is also investing $1.5 million in mountain pine beetle research aimed at protecting the forest economy and environment. More than 25 beetle-related projects are being carried out this year under the forest science program of the Forest Investment Account (FIA). Projects will address priority information needs for mitigating impacts of the mountain pine beetle epidemic. For a complete list of projects funded through the forest science program, download the 2006/07 business plan. Also see: the provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan; or the Forest Practices Board website.

Softwood Lumber Agreement — NEW!!! 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement Implementation Information (details) The current softwood lumber dispute (Lumber IV) commenced in April of 2001. From May 22, 2002 to Dec 20, 2004 most Canadian softwood lumber exported to the US was subject to a combined countervailing and anti-dumping duty of 27%, collected by US Customs. From December 20, 2004 to December 12, 2005 the duties collected were 20%. On December 12, 2005, the duties collected at the border were reduced to 10.81%. The 2006 Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement entered into force on October 12, 2006. Effective that date, every shipment of softwood lumber to the United States requires an export permit. All shippers are encouraged to check the DFAIT and Canadian Revenue Agency websites regularly for more information.

See the following websites: BC Lumber Trade Council, Government of Canada or Government of BC.

Safety in the Forestry Industry — The forest industry is taking steps to improve worker safety in the woods. Two years ago, the industry pulled together to set up the BC Forest Safety Council, an organization dedicated to improving the safety record of the sector. This fall the first SAFE Companies, forest sector companies who have met a rigorous, audited standard for worker health and safety, will be certified. SAFE Certified companies will also be eligible for a partial rebate of their Workers Compensation assessments, in recognition of the lower injury rate that comes with sustained focus on worker health and safety. For more information go to the BC Forest Safety Council website.

Labour and Company News:

Consumer Taxation Branch, Oil and Gas Industry — The Oil and Gas Industry webpage has been updated, and contains links to relevant bulletins and other materials that provide information for the industry, including a completely revised Bulletin SST 055: Oil and Gas Industry - Producers and Processors and Bulletin MFT 007: Fuel Used by the Oil and Gas Industry, and new documents including Bulletin SST 126: Oil and Gas Industry - Service Providers and Contractors, Bulletin SST 127: Oil and Gas Industry - Exploration, Discovery and Development.

New Consumer Taxation Branch webpages:

• Depreciation Rates
• Grocery and Drug Stores
• Book, Magazine and Newspaper Retailers
Advertising industry
• Oil and Gas Industry

Local Government News:

Canada - British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Officially Launched — Applications for funding under the Canada - British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) are now being sought, following the official launch of the new joint federal-provincial program. See the website or the news release.

Local Governments Fight Province For Voice In Power Projects — A total of 33 regional districts and municipalities are publicly voicing their opposition to amendments to the Utilities Commission Act contained in Bill 30. See section 53 of the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2006.

LoGo Notebook — Staples McDannold Stewart has posted two new issues of their newsletter: the UBCM 2006 Convention Special Issue, to mark the conference commencing October 23 in Victoria and their regular Fall Issue which contains an article on the impact of two recent cases on the statutory requirements for consultation during the process of preparing and adopting Official Community Plans and amendments to them. See Fall LoGo Notebook or the Special Issue.