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British Columbian Premier David Eby has unveiled new measures aimed at protecting British Columbians, workers, and businesses from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and energy.  Source: CFNRFM “The White House started a trade war we didn’t want, and we must answer with strength,” Premier Eby stated. “We are responding to this unprecedented attack with several targeted actions and, in the coming weeks, will arm ourselves with even more tools to counter sustained economic aggression.” The BC government plans to introduce new tariff-response legislation in the coming days, which will provide the province with enhanced tools to safeguard jobs and businesses and respond quickly to the challenges brought about by Trump’s tariffs. Among the proposed actions are measures to remove interprovincial trade barriers, require that low-carbon fuels added to gasoline and diesel be produced in Canada, and enable B.C. to apply tolls or fees to US commercial vehicles traveling through the province to Alaska. Premier Eby emphasized that Trump’s tariffs were a “profound mistake” that are harming families on both sides of the border. “My team will continue to work hard every day to defend British Columbians through this and come out stronger on the other side. Every option is on the table,” he said. In the short term, the BC government has directed the BC Liquor Distribution Branch to halt purchases of American liquor from “red” states and remove those brands from public liquor store shelves. Furthermore, the provincial government and Crown corporations are now required to prioritize purchasing Canadian goods and services. These initial responses are part of a broader “Team Canada” approach, which includes federal 25% tariffs on Can$155 billion worth of US imports, as well as additional actions from other provinces and territories. The BC government has also committed to reducing barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, with a target of June 1, 2025. The province’s strategy to combat the tariffs includes: Implementing strong counter-measures and reaching out to American decision-makers; Strengthening BC’s economy by accelerating project approvals and supporting industries and workers; Diversifying trade markets for BC products, reducing reliance on US markets by eliminating domestic trade barriers. To support these efforts, BC is pushing forward with major projects valued at Can$20 billion in investments, expected to create 8,000 jobs, particularly in rural and remote areas. To ensure coordinated and swift action, Premier Eby has formed a trade and economic security task force to bring together business, labour, and Indigenous leaders. A new agriculture and food economy task force will focus on maintaining the growth of BC’s food sector despite tariffs. A BC softwood advisory council is also working on a strategy to address the ongoing softwood lumber dispute. Quick Facts: US tariffs on Canadian mineral exports are projected to cost American companies over US$11 billion and significantly impact the US defense, energy, and manufacturing sectors. The share of BC’s goods exports to the USvdropped to 52.8% in 2024, compared to 65.8% in 2000. Meanwhile, BC has been expanding its trade with key Asian markets, including China and South Korea. While BC is relatively better positioned than other provinces due to its lower reliance on US nexports, the impact of the tariffs will still be significant. BC remains highly reliant on US markets for certain exports, including natural gas, electricity, and softwood lumber. US imports make up 34.5% of B.C.’s total incoming trade, including machinery, equipment, agriculture, food, and energy products.  

Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s territorial integrity have now persisted for more than a decade – the occupation of Crimea in 2014 marked its 11th anniversary at the end of February 2025, and this week marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Source: Timberbiz For many Ukrainians, this has meant immeasurable suffering and deprivation. Nevertheless, life continues in many parts of the country. Particularly in regions not directly affected by the war, people and businesses are working on the country’s economic development. This also applies to forestry and its evolution toward greater ecological and social sustainability. FSC Ukraine works tirelessly on new standards and on establishing progressive forestry practices in a battered country. Still, it means working under difficult conditions – working in a country at war. Since 2022, a lot has changed for the FSC Ukraine team. Meeting the demanding ecological, social, and economic requirements of the certification system while maintaining operations during wartime seemed impossible, especially in the beginning. Yet challenges breed innovation and flexibility. Hybrid work, adjustments to increase security for operational activities – such as working online in shelters during air raids – and the dedicated commitment of on-site staff to maintain communication with certificate holders, partners, and stakeholders in the country and worldwide. “Even in wartime, we haven’t refused a single request, though occasionally we must postpone or cancel planned meetings. Everyone should be able to rely on us as FSC representatives fulfilling our mission in the country, even under these extraordinary circumstances,” said Pavlo Kravets, Director of FSC Ukraine. Anyone who experiences the Ukrainian conflict primarily through television and other news channels, can hardly imagine that work can continue in such a country. However, one must not forget that fighting does not occur in all parts of the country. In fact, most FSC-certified forest areas are in western Ukraine, while most military actions have so far taken place in the south-east of the country (see map below). Amidst economic challenges, wood processing companies still operating in Ukraine offer European stakeholders an opportunity to import high-quality FSC-certified materials, especially now that traditional sources from Russia and Belarus are no longer available (certificates were terminated due to war actions, and materials from Russia and Belarus are prohibited in FSC supply chains). It is, moreover, an opportunity to support the Ukrainian economy. Natalia Pokinska, Managing Director of Kronospan UA LLC, one of the country’s largest wood-based panel manufacturers, told FSC International: “Currently, FSC certification is not only important but essential to support the Ukrainian economy and create jobs for those who haven’t migrated and those who have been relocated. Wood processing plants and furniture factories have almost lost their local markets. It is therefore urgently necessary to find new customers abroad.” Everyday central FSC topics such as occupational safety take on an entirely different dimension when viewed in the light of armed conflicts. A central priority for the FSC team in Ukraine is therefore continuous engagement with the National indicators in the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard to take account of the changing realities of war. The new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Ukraine took effect in September 2024. Pavlo Kravets explained that “as the war affects both on-site work in the forest and how companies operate, we’ve worked hard to adapt our standards to remain demanding while accounting for the circumstances.” Beyond economically, socially, and ecologically sustainable forestry, FSC makes an important contribution to workplace health and safety for forest workers. For instance, Ukraine’s national FSC standard excludes war zones and mined forest areas from management to ensure the safety of forest workers. “Ukraine is under the observation of the entire world, and the fact that FSC Ukraine contributes to the safety of forest workers under such difficult conditions is key to preserving forests for future generations and the development of society,” said Volodymyr Tkachuk, Chairman of the Ukrainian Forest Workers’ Union. Domestically, the four-person team of FSC Ukraine advocates for certified businesses by seeking dialogue with national stakeholders and engaging the FSC network, which includes members of FSC International and FSC offices in many countries. But there is also activity beyond the country’s borders. The first “ReBuild Ukraine” meeting took place in Warsaw in 2023. This international specialist event focuses on rebuilding Ukraine after the destruction caused by the war. It brings together representatives from business, politics, and humanitarian organisations to discuss solutions for rebuilding residential buildings, energy supply, and other infrastructure, the goal is to promote investments and international partnerships to support sustainable and resilient development of the country. In 2024, FSC International also participated in Rebuild Ukraine with a delegation of country representatives from Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia to represent their Ukrainian colleagues, who did not receive travel authorisation. Wood is an essential raw material for climate-friendly, resilient, and resource-conserving reconstruction. The Ukrainian government plans to advance the decarbonisation of the construction sector through increased use of wood to replace cement and steel, among other things. At the 2024 ReBuild Ukraine an online event, ‘European Initiatives on Sustainable Constructing with Wood: Experience and Lessons for Ukraine’, stressed the part that could be played by certified wood in particular. It summarised the results of ‘The Role of Wood Construction in Ukraine’s Recovery: Overview of Strategies and Initiatives,’ a study commissioned by FSC Ukraine. That study highlighted the current obstacles and opportunities for using wood to decarbonise the construction sector and analysed the positions of the Ukrainian government, the European Union, international financial institutions, and civil society on using wood in reconstruction projects. Over 60 interested participants followed the presentations by the team from Ukraine, who joined online. Especially in light of reconstruction, new perspectives will emerge for the Ukrainian forestry sector, including with regard to the EU Green Deal and initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus and the related likely increase in “climate conditioning” in reconstruction financing. However, while many donors, construction companies, and architects recognise the benefits of wood in rebuilding the country, there is a lack of effective communication channels through which […]