NEWS
Doubled Duty Hammers More Nails into BC’s Value-Added Coffin
26 November 2021
The Independent Wood Processors Association of British Columbia (IWPA) concedes the US Department of Commerce’s ruling to double the softwood lumber duty, threatens the future viability of BC’s value-added wood sector following the BC Government’s recent moratorium restricting manufacturing of ‘made in BC’ old growth wood products. “The US…
Old Growth Deferrals Hurts Value-Added Sector Hardest
26 November 2021
BC Government’s decision to halt harvesting is devastating news for British Columbia’s value-added wood processors and the thousands of people they employ. “The BC Government’s harvesting deferrals will have an immediate and disproportionate impact on BC's value-added sector,” said Brian Menzies, Executive Director of the BC Independent Wood…
IWPA calls on Canada-USA to Negotiate an End to Softwood Lumber Duties
21 May 2021
BC’s Independent Wood Processors Association (IWPA) calls on Canadian and American governments to begin bi-lateral negotiations to resolve the softwood lumber dispute punishing consumers and value-added wood manufacturers. “Only bilateral government negotiations will resolve this trade dispute. These punishing duties create uncertainty which…
The Loss of a Lumber Industry Legend
15 April 2021
Theodore Hector Hansen October 28, 1935 – March 27, 2021 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Theodore (Ted) Hector Hansen on March 27, 2021. At the time of his passing, Ted was surrounded by his loving wife of 64 years, Nadeane, and his four sons, Robb, Dean, Mark, and Matt. Ted is predeceased by his parents, Blanche and Howard,…
IWPA Announces New Executive Director
21 January 2021
Vancouver – Today, the Independent Wood Processors Association of British Columbia (IWPA) announce the appointment of Brian Menzies as their new Executive Director. “We believe this is a vital time for forestry in British Columbia, and we have selected Brian Menzies to help the IWPA expand our industry as innovative forest product manufacturers,”…
More work at Ladysmith mill in new year, says Western Forest Products
2 December 2020
Economic conditions have created the opportunity for increased production and more work at the Ladysmith sawmill in the early part of the new year, says Western Forest Products. Western Forest Products said it has successfully secured a reliable log supply and with favourable market conditions, the Ladysmith mill will be able to support two…
Government introduces regulations aimed at increasing domestic wood production
16 September 2020
Changes to the Manufactured Forest Products Regulation (MFPR) around export requirements for sawn-wood products and lumber made from western red cedar or cypress go into effect Sept. 30, 2020. These changes are intended to increase the amount of processing of wood products done within British Columbia, leading to more B.C. jobs, rather than having…
Western & Steel Workers End 8-Month Strike
15 February 2020
An eight-month strike that has devastated communities in northern Vancouver Island has finally come to an end, with the union ratifying a new agreement with Western Forest Products. About 3,000 employees and contractors at Western Forest Products facilities in several Vancouver Island communities have been off the job since July 1, 2019. Read…
The Premier’s Vision
15 October 2019
The Independent Wood Processors Association (IWPA www.iwpabc.com) represents BC’s community based value-added enterprises. We are in complete agreement with the Premier that we need to replace lost sawmill jobs with jobs that add more value to the lumber that comes out of our sawmills. BC’s family owned non-tenured wood processors have the ability…
Vancouver Sun: A new softwood lumber tax will likely kill what is left of Value Added in BC
8 August 2016
(A new softwood) tax would really hurt us and you know it’s going to be higher than last time. Group calls for quota on exports to United States A group of British Columbia independent value-added wood producers are prodding Canadian negotiators in a controversial direction as the deadline to come up with a new Canada-U.S. lumber trade agreement…
A New Softwood Lumber Agreement – Is it the end of Value Added in BC or an Opportunity?
28 July 2016
Dear BC Mayors, MLA’s, MP’s, and Senators, The Independent Wood Processors Association (IWPA) would like you to be aware that British Columbia has lost over half of its value added wood processors in the last dozen years. This was not due to the collapse of the US housing market. Americans who were unable to sell and build, fixed up their existing…
Value to wood in BC
29 June 2016
BC has lost over half of it’s non-tenured family owned value added wood processors in the last dozen years. The members of the Independent Wood Processors Association require access to a share of the BC Public’s forest resource and they require access to the US market. The first requirement has been stymied by the forest policy changes of 2003…
IWPA Press Release
1 June 2014
We have all been hearing how wonderful things are in the BC forest industry lately. That may be true for those companies that have exclusive access to the non-competitive public timber harvest, but did you know that over 50% of the companies that have to compete for their wood fibre have gone out of business in the last dozen years? Read the full…