Council not happy with Canfor’s cavalier attitude to community

From the minutes of the council meeting December 10th, 2012.
FORT NELSON – Mayor Streeper welcomed the two representatives from Canfor, Steve Mackie and Tom Lewis.
Following introductions, the Canfor representatives were invited to speak. Mr. Mackie began by saying that he and Mr. Lewis were in Fort Nelson to answer and address the concerns of Regional Council, and to also provide an update on the disposal of local assets.
Mr. Mackie reported that there have been no new developments since the November 9th, 2012 letter, received by Regional Council, from Alistair Cook, Senior Vice President of Woodlands Canada regarding Canfor operations in Fort Nelson.
Consistent with the messaging in this letter, Mr. Mackie reiterated that Canfor operations have proceeded to the final stage of closure.
Both plants have been turned over to the BID group for asset sale and disposal.
With respect to the licences associated with both plants, Mr. Mackie also reiterated that subject to approval from the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resources, the pulpwood agreement associated with the PolarBoard OSB mill will remain with the facility when it sold, but that the forest licence Canfor holds in the Fort Nelson Forest District will continue to be operated by the company.
Mr. Mackie also stated that Canfor will continue to look into local processing options if and when economic conditions allow.
Mayor Streeper questioned if Canfor were to harvest timber in the future, would it be processed in Fort Nelson or elsewhere.
Mr. Mackie responded that Canfor will continue to explore its options with respect to local operations, but that current economic conditions do not allow for the local processing.
Councillor Soles asked why Forest Licence #17007 is being “kept alive” by Canfor, and whether they would consider selling it together with the plant.
Mr. Mackie responded that Canfor would not consider discounting its assets. Mayor Streeper inquired about the removal of air and dust (combustible) mechanical components from both facilities (Tackama and PolarBoard).
Mr. Mackie affirmed that those mechanical components had been removed.
Councillor Vigeant raised concerns about Canfor’s treatment of the community.
Councillor Eglinski inquired why, if Canfor has no local milling operations, do they still need to retain their licences (PA 14 in particular).
Councillor Soles raised a question of, why, given the limited amount of time left on the existing conifer licence, is Canfor holding on to this licence. Mr. Mackie responded that Canfor had previously logged the area successfully. A discussion was had about the appropriateness of using a mixed species licence to harvest primarily conifer stands of timber.
Councillor Eglinski asked a question about how Canfor has advertised the PolarBoard and Tackama plants for sale. Mr. Mackie responded that the selling of plants is not their business, and this is why they have retained the services of a third party (BID Group) to market their goods for sale.
Mayor Streeper commented on the impacts that the mill closures have had in Fort Nelson, with the loss of the 565 jobs and becoming a single industry community.
A discussion was had about the quality of the wood in the region. Mr. Mackie noted that though he had not heard about the particular quality of certain areas, he confirmed that there was indeed high quality aspen and conifer wood in the NRRM.
Councillor Eglinski stated that she was opposed to unprocessed wood being shipped out of the NRRM. Councillor Vigeant stated that Canfor still owes a debt to the NRRM stemming from their previous involvement in the Rural Water South Program. Mr. Mackie responded that he would look into the issue of a debt, and get back to the NRRM within a couple of weeks.

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