Canada

On August 9, the United States will makes its case to the London Court of International Arbitration that British Columbia is subsidizing timber prices for pine-beetle damaged trees.

For most of the past 20 years, pulp mills in Western Canada have had lower wood fiber costs than pulp mills in the Eastern provinces. In fact, one year ago, pulp manufacturers in British Columbia paid almost C$60/odmt (Oven Dry Metric Tonne) less for softwood chips than did pulp mills in Ontario and Quebec, and five years ago the difference was almost C$100/odmt, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review.

A competitive disadvantage

Trade figures show the value of softwood lumber exported to China has surpassed the U.S. for the first time, sending powerful signals about the importance of the Asia-Pacific markets for B.C.'s economy and job prospects.

It’s super strong, it’s green and it’s providing new opportunities for business in Alberta. It’s called nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and Alberta is about to become a leader in its production and study.