Industrial Update
Spring 2013
Mountain biking is fast becoming a top tourism draw in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region. Here rider James Doerfling rides the Cariboo’s newest signature trail, Snakes and Ladders. The trail opens officially in May 2013. John Wellburn photo ridethecariboo.com
Tourism industry a driving force in the Cariboo Greg Sabatino Tribune Staff Writer There’s a lot happening behind the scenes in the tourism industry right here in our back yard, said Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association CEO Amy Thacker. That’s in part to the work they’ve been doing to market the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast to the rest of the world, with part of the association’s mandate to help foster the growth of tourism in the region. The first is a new strategy aimed at attracting travellers to the Gold Rush Trail corridor, from New Westminster to Barkerville. “About two and a half years ago we began trying to revitalize the Gold Rush Trail and move the corridor into more of a management, co-operative plan,” Thacker said. Last year the Vancouver Coast and Mountains, the Thompson Okanagan and the Cariboo Chil-
cotin Coast tourism associations put together a project with partners and consultants along the corridor. Thacker said the route is consistently a strong draw for the region, pointing to Barkerville as the anchor. “The route will really highlight the Fraser Canyon, as well as historic loops such as through Lillooet and Likely along the Cariboo Wagon Road,” she said. “It ties together the First Nations history, the Chinese history and the gold history with modern-day experiences to come on up and check out that anchor in Barkerville.” She added the Horsefly and Likely back route will be highlighted under the new strategy. The first marketing materials — a new website and a travel planner — will be out for late April, early May. “When we say corridor it’s not just Highway 97, it’s that reach all the way around it,” she said. “The
project’s really being watched closely by government because it’s an innovative approach and we’re trying to push it to the next step. It’s being looked at as the template for how we market and move travellers around B.C., if it works well.” Tying into that project coincidentally is a major motion production shot in the region last year — a German production titled, Gold. Geoff Moore, the CCCTA’s travel media relations manager, said the film — which debuted at the Berlinale International Film Festival this year — will have major spinoffs for the region. “It’s a German-speaking film that’s actually a western,” Moore said. “Five years ago we [the film office for the region] met with producers at a meeting in Vancouver who connected the dots and location ideas to a director named Thomas Arslan, who was looking at developing a project based on the Yukon gold rush. See MORE Page 3
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Page 2
Industrial Update 2013
Lakecity real estate market remains stable Greg Sabatino Tribune Staff Writer It’s steady as she goes for the real estate market in Williams Lake, said Sutton owner and managing broker Court Smith. “Generally speaking the market has stayed fairly stable, or static,” he said. “From 2011 to 2012 the numbers were fairly close and the general market, the majority of housing stayed relatively constant.” Interest rates have remained low hovering around the third per cent mark, which adds strength to the market, Smith said. And as spring rolls around, market transactions generally pick up. “Interest rates are awesome right now,” he said. “They’re holding very steady and from what we hear the federal government isn’t going to make
changes any time soon, which has an impact on peoples’ decisions to buy.” For example, in 2011 there were a total of 324 real estate transactions in Williams Lake. In 2012, there were 315. The average sale price for the total market in 2011 was $202,000, while in 2012 that number jumped slightly to $216,000. For residential single family homes the average sale price in 2011 was $235,000, while in 2012, the average rose to $253,000. “That’s a bit skewed because there were a number of higher end homes sold last year, so that number is not necessarily reflective of the market,” he said. In 2012 there were 126 single family residences sold — the largest number of transactions in any one
real estate category. Runners up were single family residences on acreage, which are typically outside city limits. In 2012 there were 80 single family residences on acreage sold. For mobile homes, 32 units were sold with land, while 27 units were sold without. Smith said another significant factor contributing to the real estate market is the price of copper and the price of lumber. “If copper prices drop we’d probably see a change in our market conditions but that’s not expected to happen any time soon,” he said. “The commodities that we develop or that we ship out of this region, those are pretty important.” He noted the pending decision on the New Prosperity Mine proposal
The industrial and commerical real estate market in Williams Lake benefits as much from lower, stable interest rates, as does the residential market as this new commercial building going up on Third Avenue attests. Greg Sabatino photo will undoubtedly have an effect on the real estate market locally. “If the Prosperity Mine happens the expectation would be there would be
a greater demand for local housing,” he said. Overall, he said the local economy remains steady. “And I think the real estate market will follow
that,” he said. “Williams Lake continues to be a great place to live. Housing is affordable and varied and employment is strong.”
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Page 3
Industrial Update 2013
Tourism association develops social media campaign FROM PAGE 1 “But, for practical purposes and cost-saving and diversity they chose to shoot the film in the South Chilcotin Mountains and in around the Big Bar area, and a little bit in Kamloops around the old steam train, and Barkerville — which was a stand-in for Quesnel — and Ashcroft was Ashcroft. He said it’s interesting there’s a European feature film shot in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast that actually names coastal community names. “Hollywood doesn’t do that, hardly ever,” he said. “We’re pumped. We’re already planning press trips for German writers to come to this area to talk about the locations that were in the film so the viewers of the movie can come back and be tourists based on film fans.” The Cariboo Chilcotin region, he added, gets a regular number of commercials, TV shows and bits of movies filmed here every year, on top of continually becoming more of a hotbed for hunting and fishing TV show filming. “The wins we get are the car commercials, and people don’t notice because they don’t want to publicize,” Moore said. “They get their permits to shoot in a park or a mountain top somewhere, and we keep it low key because we want them [the production companies] to have a good experience.” Local flying companies get chartered, local drivers get hired to haul items and local electricians and trades people get work. “We also get bit parts of movies,” he said. “Bel-
la Coola was in The Hulk, and Hunlin Falls was in the latest Sherlock Holmes.” When celebrities visit the area, they come to be real people, he said. “You notice Vancouver plays that up,” he said. “So and so’s eating at such and such restaurant. When celebrities come into the Cariboo Chilcotin they come here to be invisible. “It’s a bit frustrating from my desk because I want to tell the world Brad Pitt’s in town, but I just have to keep quiet.” Another project Thacker said she’s extremely excited about is a UNESCO-recognized trademark and brand called Économusée — a program originating out of Quebec that’s been around in that province for more than 20 years. It’s a program that ties local craftsmen and artisans to tourism in an effort to share and celebrate certain lost arts of a culture, along with some economic benefit into the region through tourism for people interested in learning experiential things. “We’ve been working with the other networks who’ve done this and we’re bringing it here to showcase more of our rural communities,” Thacker said. “It’s not the go to Barkerville experience, it’s sit with the guy who makes a banjo the oldfashioned way, or still does leatherwork and drums, or stained glass, or whatever the trade may be. “We’re very pleased to say that it will be expanding to the area.” Right now the CCCTA
is in the process of inventorying all the artisans and craftsmen across the entire Cariboo Chilcotin Coast in hopes of finding a few matches for the program. “If we find the right craftsmen interested in it we hope to open two Économusée within the next 12 to 16 months in the region,” she said. “It will all happen at the artisan’s place of display. The whole experience is to actually see the artisan at work and interact with them in their element. It’s not contrived, at all, and it’s very popular in Quebec.” Another first for the CCCTA is its upcoming regional spring campaign, which will be 100 per cent social media based. “We’re working with each of our three sub regions and there are committees in each of the regions working to find an asset, and the contest will be a Facebook contest where fans from around the world will get to name something there, like a waterfall or a mountain,” Thacker said. The winners of the contest will get a paid trip to come see their named landmark. She said during the trip the visitors will be exposed and educated about the diversity of the region, First Nations culture and legends and language. Thacker said the social media campaign will be rolled out in May and, hopefully, if it’s successful, will continue each year. “This campaign has never been done anywhere in the world that we could find,” she said.
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Happy Vancouver travellers Stephanie Nichols (left) and Monica Leeck visit Nimpo Lake after a flightseeing trip. Amy Thacker photo The CCCTA also works with local stakeholders in an effort to bring tourism to the community through multiple community projects. “The City of Williams Lake’s priority for the past two years has been mountain biking, so we’ve supported that initiative with them through com-
munity tourism opportunities,” Thacker said. “Over in Likely we’ve helped with some historic signage and road navigational signage through Horsefly, Likely and into Barkerville.” Moore stressed the importance of the behind the scenes work of the business of tourism.
“It’s all about what makes us unique? What makes us stand out? Who are we? What’s our story? And why?” he said. “They care because they’re going to meet characters. We’re unique, we know that. And now the rest of the world is starting to notice.”
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Page 4
Industrial Update 2013
WL Band and Mt. Polley newsmakers of the year Seven local businesses were nominated this year for the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Newsmaker of the Year Award. The Williams Lake Indian Band and Imperial Metals Corporation, which owns Mt. Polley Mine, jointly won the award for the signing of an historic agreement. On Feb. 6, 2012, Brian Kynock, president and CEO of Imperial Metals Corporation, and Chief Ann Louie of the Williams Lake Indian Band signed a participation agreement which addresses issues around the band’s assertion of rights and title in the area that Mount Polley Mining Corporation operates. The agreement will benefit the community in the areas of education, economic development and environmental management. It also establishes a co-operative and mutually successful working relationship between both parties and allows both parties to meet their obligations and to protect their rights and interests. At the time the agreement was signed, Kynock acknowledged that reaching the agreement had taken a lot of time but that things that take time are maybe a bit better. “We had to work hard to come to an arrangement and are actually very excited,” Kynock said at the time of signing. “I wanted to make this something we could look back on and say was a really good deal for both parties, where we both come out ahead in this and make our community a stronger place.” Chief Louie’s acceptance speech for the Newsmaker of the Year Award brought a standing ovation from those attending the Chamber’s 2013 Business Excellence Awards night, March 9 and is presented here. Chief Ann Louie Williams Lake Band Wehytk. I want to welcome all band councillors, Mayor (Kerry) Cook and council, Imperial Metals and staff of Mt. Polley, all other nominees, Chamber of Commerce and distinguished guests. It is truly an honour to be nominated for this award with Imperial Metals. The Williams Lake Indian Band and Mt. Polley staff worked hard for a couple of years to reach an agreement. We would like at this time to also honour a former employee of Mt. Polley, Mr. Ron Martel. He was instrumental and worked very hard on behalf of Mt. Polley for us to finalize our agreement. Unfortunately he was unable to see the official signing due to his untimely death a few days prior to the signing. Because of his hard work, dedication and commitment to the process, the Williams Lake Indian Band has named one of our bursaries the Ron Martel Bursary. Mining is a huge economic benefit and as we all know mining is fast
becoming one of the most important economies locally. The majority of people probably do not fully recognize just how much mining affects their daily lives. If you take the time to think and take a look around, the majority of products you utilize in your daily lives are a direct result of mining such as your home appliances, your electrical in your home, your vehicles you drive, the electronics that you use and many smaller items such as your vision glasses, jewellery, just to name a few. These all come from mining materials and all of these items create employment. Based on our agreement with Mt. Polley Mines, last year was the first year that Williams Lake Indian Band saw the benefits of having a mining agreement. We had so many people employed at our band that we had to begin hiring from outside our community. These are the benefits of getting agreements with First Nations and mining companies. The mining company also benefits from having
Williams Lake Band Coun. Heather McKenzie (left), JoAnne Moise, Chief Ann Louie, Richard Sellers, Mount Polley Mine Manager Tim Fisch and Williams Lake Tribune publisher Lisa Bowering with the Chamber of Commerce Newsmaker of the Year Award sponsored by the Tribune and presented to Mount Polley and the Williams Lake Indian Band March 9. Greg Sabatino photo local employees, as First Nations are here to stay, they do not have to worry about their employees quitting to go home to other areas. The other great benefit was bringing BCAMTA here and they now have a local office at Thompson Rivers University. We had the great honour of witnessing their first graduating class. They had 38 First Nations registered; 37 completed; and the one who did not complete was because they accepted employment. This was one of the proudest moments as First Nations leaders that we have experienced. We want to acknowledge and honour our own negotiating team Kirk Dressler, Byron Louie from economic development and Aaron Higginbottom from Natural Resources. Without the ongoing, very hard work that this team has done on behalf of Williams Lake Band we would not be here this evening. Last but not least we want to thank the Chamber of Commerce and the nominators for this great honour and I hope you all enjoy your evening. Kukstetemc.
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Industrial Update 2013
Gibraltar Mine adds 200 new full-time jobs in the past year Brian Battison, VP Corporate Affairs Taseko Mines plays a growing role in the Cariboo community and economy with the Gibraltar Mine meeting new milestones for employee growth, capital investment and environmental initiatives. Taseko-Gibraltar aims to set the standard for how mining can intro-
duce much-needed stimulus to the local economy and secure long-term employment opportunities for local people. It added 200 new fulltime jobs and contractor positions since March 2012 and Phase three of a $325 million expansion was completed in December last year. With over 700 Gibraltar employees this quar-
ter, Taseko is near the top as the largest employer in the Cariboo. Current payroll is $50.5 million per annum and 96 per cent of the employees reside in the region, namely in and around Williams Lake (83 per cent), Quesnel (11 per cent) and 100 Mile House (4 per cent). The company’s hire and buy local policy means Gibraltar spent
more than $92 million buying goods and services in the region in 2012. This commitment to the Cariboo has also resulted in $423,174 being donated to the United Way by the company and its employees over the last five years to support local communities. First Nations people benefit from employment and training opportunities directly with the mine or with First Nations enterprises and other contracted companies. These opportunities allow First Nations members, particularly youth, to train and work where they live and to remain attached to the land. Through a phased approach over the past six years, production and revenue have steadily increased. This revenue has been reinvested back into the operation and local communities. Taseko has invested nearly $700 million in new employee facili-
ties, new pit haul trucks, shovels, drills and has added a 30,000 ton per day concentrator. Mine production increased to set a new monthly record of 7.5 million tons in January resulting in an average of nearly 250,000 tons mined per day and mine productivity well above last year’s averages in all operations categories. The success of Gibraltar is a reflection of our people and their practices at work. We value people above all other priorities, and nothing is done at the expense of safety. In fact, in February we reached a significant safety milestone with all mine operations crews having worked an entire year without a loss time incident. We recognize the importance of safe production and positive outputs for the company and community at large. This means a specific focus on the Cariboo land and its people sup-
ported by the best policies and practices. Internally, we work toward the reduction of energy and diesel consumption and were recently recognized by BC Hydro Power Smart for this initiative over the past two years. New energy efficient equipment installations are estimated to have saved 12,439,000 kWh, which is equivalent to powering more than 1,100 homes for a full year. We have also been recognized by the BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation with the Metal Mining Reclamation award acknowledging our forward looking approach to reclamation and responsible mining as the Gibraltar mine is expected to operate until 2038. Reclamation programs undertaken by Taseko were completed with the assistance of Xat’sull and Xeni Gwet’in First Nations crews. See GIBRALTAR Page 6
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Jordan Evans (centre), Gibraltar Environmental Co-ordinator and Steve O’Hara (right), Gibraltar Environmental Technician receive the Metal Mine Reclamation Award from the BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation. Photo submitted
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Industrial Update 2013
The Xat’sull First Nations Reclamation crew assisted in the 2012 reclamation work at Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine in the photo (left). In the photo right the crew takes vegetation clippings for metal analysis at Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine. Photos submitted
Gibraltar embraces new environmental projects FROM PAGE 5 Other environmental initiatives include Puntzi Creek fishery system revitalization, a partnership with the Province of B.C. and former Tsilhqot’in Chief Ervin Charleyboy as well as a pipeline crossings project for wildlife using recycled materials from the Gibraltar site to build the crossovers. Taseko follows proven
science and sound engineering, but we are not content to stand still. Taseko is conducting large scale trials at Gibraltar to find even better ways to reclaim mine impacts and be a global leader in reclamation practices. The proposed New Prosperity gold-copper mine project, awaiting completion of the Canadian Environmental As-
sessment Agency review panel process, will provide another significant economic boost to the Cariboo. New Prosperity is expected to create 1,200 new jobs during construction and operation of the mine, and additional reclamation and monitoring jobs after the mine closes. Also, it will inject billions of dollars into the local, regional
and national economies over the 20 year minelife. Taseko added an additional $300 million investment to the proposed New Prosperity
Mine, which will protect Fish Lake and move the tailings pond two kilometers upstream from the lake. Public hearings on the New Prosperity project by the Canadian En-
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Page 7
Industrial Update 2013
Soda Creek receives two Tolko awards for excellence Tolko presented its 2012 Awards for Excellence recently in recognition of outstanding achievement. Twenty awards in all were presented to individuals and teams from Tolko’s divisional operations across western Canada and British Columbia. The Soda Creek division received both the 2012 Excellence in Customer Service award and the 2012 Aon–Tolko, Excellence and Dedication to Risk Management Award which was awarded to maintenance supervisor Jim Mork, from Williams Lake. “We have been presenting awards to deserving teams and individuals for more than 20 years here at Tolko,” said CEO Brad Thorlakson. “I am proud to recognize our team at Soda Creek for their commitment to excellence in customer service and risk management. Thank you to all for their personal and professional commitment to customer excellence and dedication to managing risk.” “I was very pleased to accept both the Excellence in Customer Service award on behalf of Soda Creek Division and the Aon–Tolko Excellence and Dedication to Risk Management 2012 on behalf of Jim Mork,” said Ryan Oliver, plant manager, Soda Creek Manufacturing. These awards are an excellent way to recognize the dedication and commitment of our team at Soda Creek. I commend the team for improving the quality standards and flexibility to market which shows their dedicated focus to excellence in customer service. A big thank-you also goes out to Jim Mork for his dedication to risk man-
Hardy Wentzel, Tolko’s vice-president of sales and Tolko’s Soda Creek plant manager Ryan Oliver (left) marketing (left) with Ryan Oliver, Tolko’s Soda Creek with Sandy Kersey, Tolko’s corporate treasurer. plant manager. Photo submitted Photo submitted agement at Soda Creek. Jim’s focus in this area throughout the year has resulted in a stronger relationship with our insurance providers as well as a safer operation!” Awards were presented in the following categories: AWARD WINNERS 2012 Excellence in Customer Service: Soda Creek Division. 2012 Excellence in Forest Management Practices: Meadow Lake Woodlands. 2012 Harvesting Excellence Okanagan Woodlands 2012 Performance Closest to Budget: Armstrong Cogen. Most Improved Financial Performance 2012 vs 2011: Heffley Creek Division. 2012 Divisional Newsletter Editor Award: Nicola Valley Division. Aon–Tolko Risk Management Awards Best Operation 2012: Heffley Creek Division.
Aon–Tolko Risk Management Awards, Most Improved Operation, 2012: Kelowna Division. Aon–Tolko Risk Management Awards, Excellence and Dedication to Risk Management 2012: Jim Mork. 2012 Excellence in Service Vernon Office: Kevin Rasmussen. 2012 Engagement Award: Manitoba Solid Wood Division. 2012 Innovation Award: Nicola Division. 2012 President’s Safety Award: Lake Country Division. 2012 Most Improved Safety Results: Lake Country Division. 2012 Safety Performance, Award of Distinction, Platinum Level: Manitoba Woodlands. 2012 Safety Performance, Award of Distinction, Gold Level: Cariboo Woodlands. 2012 Safety Performance, Award of Distinction, Gold Level: Meadow Lake Woodlands. 2012 Safety Perfor-
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Industrial Update 2013
West Fraser’s Williams Lake sawmill thriving General Manager Matt Ketcham believes the key to success for Williams Lake Sawmill has always been the commitment to excellence by the employees and the re-investment in capital by the company. Honoured to be named Business of the Year for 2012 by the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce, West Fraser’s Williams Lake Sawmill is looking forward to a busy year. Lumber markets have been gaining strength since summer of last year, and continue to remain stable. Looking in the near future, lumber market experts see steady exports to China and increasing US housing demand as positive signs of health in the markets. Williams Lake Sawmill is preparing to take advantage of this opportunity. First, the sawmill has focused on improving its performance. During 2012 and extending into 2013 the division partnered with BC Hydro to perform studies on the heat treat and regular drying schedules of the mill’s lumber kilns. These studies determined how to maximize the efficiency of the individual drying schedules. The system is very effective. Just one kiln using this energy management technology saves 400,000 kilowatt hours per year – the same as the energy use of 36 homes. The partnership has enabled the mill to reduce its use of energy and generate power savings for the site, and be awarded a BC Hydro
Power Smart Excellence Award in 2012 for their excellent performance in this area. Second, the return of stronger lumber markets – in North America and abroad – supported the company’s decision to commit significant capital to construct a complete rebuild of the planer mill and complex. Announced in the fall of 2012, the new planer complex updates equipment enabling the mill to be more efficient and utilize technology to optimize manufacturing performance. The planer modernization enables the division to attain the highest quality grade out of each board given the decreasing log quality in the area, as well as making the mill more competitive in the global market place. Excavation and electrical work are already underway on the site and the division hopes to be operating the modernized planer mill in late 2013. Reinvestment in stateof-the-art technology is part of core business strategy for the company to continue improving the performance of their operations. The planer mill will support a long-term future for the business, stable employment for the people working at the operation and be very positive for the City of Williams Lake. While these performance improvements are significant, the most important asset to Williams Lake division has always
been the division’s employees and their commitment to excellence. Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers (October 2012) and one of B.C.’s Top Employers (February 2013), West Fraser’s Executive Chairman Hank Ketcham says the company was “honoured to be recognized among the best employers in Canada and B.C.. To be recognized is special, but it is the people who work hard together every day in this company that truly makes West Fraser a great place to work.” Safety has always been a top priority in the company. Roughly a year ago the industry was rocked by the explosions at Babine and Lakeland Sawmills. Since that time rules and regulations around dust control have been expanded. The sawmill has spent considerable efforts developing a dust action plan and working on passive containment opportunities to ensure compliance and the safety of every worker on the site. Facing a busy year, the staff and management at Williams Lake Sawmill are clearly working together to continue to build a safe, efficient and profitable longterm business. Williams Lake Sawmill is honoured to be recognized by the wider business community. However, the division defines its success by being a people-focused company that reinvests in its business to be most efficient producer in the sector.
John Hack of Community Futures (left) presents the Business of the Year Award to West Fraser representatives Lisa Sarauer, Colleen Lord, Denis Lambert, and Dean Shippit on March 9. Greg Sabatino photo
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Page 9
Industrial Update 2013
Forests for BC forum makes a stop in lakecity Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer Midway through a tour of the province, Forests For BC, a dialogue presented by B.C.’s forest workers and their unions, stopped in Williams Lake, attracting around 50 people with various views and backgrounds in the industry. Keynote speaker, former journalist Ben Parfitt with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, said there is a need to find ways to strengthen communities throughout the interior of the province. “We all know in this room the mountain pine beetle has had a profound impact in terms of changing the discussion about where forestry is heading in this province.” Communities will see more and more movement of timber from one region of the province to another to make up for shortfalls, he added. “There’s been an escalation of the movement of logs from the have regions to the have-not regions. That’s something we all need to be very concerned about.” The great thing about the Cariboo Chilcotin Land Use Management Plan process that occurred 20 years ago is that it “got people talking” about the future of their forests, Parfitt said. “A future that included protection of the environment, water resources, the timber base to support the forest industry, and opportunity for small communities and First Nations.” Land was discussed in the context of healthy increases in forest conservation to protect the environment and a healthy diversified forest industry that was going to provide meaningful opportunity for jobs, for people in communities in future years. Parfitt said policy changes are needed to move the province in a productive direction. “I’ve spent a lot of time looking at the energy sector, the natural gas industry in particular. Our provincial government is placing huge stake in that resource being the economic salvation of B.C.” The game plan with
that non-renewable resource is to build five liquefied natural gas terminals on the north coast of B.C. and export everything as quick as possible to China, Japan and Korea, he added. “Meanwhile, our renewable forest resource, if looked after is a resource that can bring benefits to people for generations. This is not a resource that we should be giving up on, it’s a resource that we need to do our utmost to protect and nurture.” Policies need to encourage maximum social benefit from a much smaller forest base and accept that in the future there will be less to work with. In 2010, value-added or secondary wood products manufacturing in Ontario generated almost $1billion in economic activity. The corresponding figure for B.C. was $345 million. “We have a forest resource that is much bigger than Ontario’s, capturing a third on the value-added end of things.” On average in Ontario in 2010 it took 205 cubic metres of wood to generate one full-time job. In B.C. it took 1,200 cubic metres. Policies have to be developed to engage people in higher value work, he said. Changes in regimes around timber pricing and taxation can change the outcomes and renew investment. “The single biggest problem we have on the coast is a shocking lack of investment and as a result in 2012 we saw the highest level of raw log exports from our coast in our history.” There’s a correlation between the closure of sawmills on the coast over the last decade and the rising of those exports. He also pointed to the loss of 1,006 jobs in the Ministry of Forests in the 10 years he looked at. “We lost those positions in critical positions in inventory work and compliance and enforcement.” Parfitt said, whoever the next provincial government is will say their hands are tied because they lack the resources and revenues to do any-
Former journalist Ben Parfitt (left), John Dressler, Council of Canadians Williams Lake Chapter, Linda Rowley, B.C.G.E.U. member and part-time logger, and Surinderpal Rathor, Williams Lake city councillor and Tolko sawmill employee, participated in a panel discussion during Forests For BC meeting in February. Monica Lamb-Yorski photo thing about forest management. “I don’t accept that. There are creative things that can be done immediately to generate more revenue. It’s appalling that the minimum stumpage rate is 25 cents a cubic metre as it was when he arrived in the province in 1986.” Fully half of what is being logged in this province is fetching a stumpage rate of 50 cents or less. That’s not enough money for the value of the resource that’s being taken from our lands. “We could immediately raise that rate tomorrow and we’d have money to work with that could be invested to hire more people in the public sector to do the jobs that need to be done.” The energy sector’s clearing of land results in permanent deforestation so the energy sector should be paying into a reforestation fund, he added. He encouraged everyone in the room to ask people who are standing for office in the next election what they intend to do when they go to Victoria in terms of talking up the importance of looking after this resource.
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Industrial Update 2013
Cabinet makers enjoy benefits of trade in exotic wood Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer There’s a sold sign on a large plank when you walk into Windsor Plywood in Williams Lake. Measuring 148.4 board feet, the piece of Zapartero hardwood comes all the way from the Panama Canal. In 1913, while building the Panama Canal, Theodore Roosevelt created what was then the world’s largest man-made lake (Gutan Lake) by damming the Chagres River and flooding an old-growth jungle the size of Montreal. Ninety-seven years later, using submersible hydraulic chain saws lubricated with vegetable oil, these perfectly preserved tropical hardwood trees are being harvested from that underwater jungle. Store owner and manager Daryle Halfnights said he hadn’t got involved with bringing in these big slabs until recently, but that Windsor has done it for years. He has a piece of the wood on displace at the front of the store. “It’s one of Windsor Plywood’s niches, getting its hands on this type of wood and importing it,” Halfnights says. “We’ve always sold exotic woods on smaller scale, this is just a large scale for specific
Daryle Halfnights, manager and owner of Windsor Plywood in Williams Lake says he has recently started stocking wood from the Panama Canal for sale in his store, such as this plank of Zapartero hardwood, sold to a cabinet maker in Bella Coola. Monica Lamb-Yorski photo projects.” He recently sold another piece to a customer in Bella Coola who does custom kitchens. “They’ll be used for mantels, bar tops or counter tops,” Halfnights explained. Glen Glessing of Williams Lake is involved with wood from Panama as well. He started Panama Teak Forestry (PTF) with two American business partners in March 2005. “We actually met on the Internet late
in 2004 and by some chance co-incidence met up at Barney’s Junction, WA, U.S. at Christmas 2004. From there we made a pact to assess all teak plantations for sale in Panama and to purchase the best one available,” he recalled. He brought back the information to Quesnel and let several people know about the opportunity and soon had six new shareholders. Today they’ve got in excess of 500 hectares of plantations, 82 shareholders and have
a total market cap of around $20 million U.S. Glessing still works at Tolko because he and his partners at PFT knew from the start that if they quit their day jobs there would not be enough money in the company to sustain itself. To date, the founding members have not taken a salary, but instead have kept the share price growing at 12 per cent per year. PTF has now developed a sawmill complex in Panama and
will be shipping teak lumber into the East Coast of the U.S. starting in March. The value of teak into this market is somewhere between $6-8 per board foot, Glessing said. “We’ve just started the newly formed entity at Lake Bayano (57 per cent owned by PTF) and are working with the Embrera Indians in a partnership which still needs to be signed.” One of the species they would like to salvage from the lake
is quira (Panamanian rosewood) which makes excellent flooring. “I brought back a piece of quira from Panama that was milled at our facility. It was not from the lake, but rather from a local source.” Glessing said when they get rolling with production in Panama he’d like to bring back a container load to Williams Lake, but would need several others to participate since there is 10,000 board feet in a container.
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Industrial Update 2013
Trades training helps to address shortage of skilled workers Education, training and raising awareness are three key ways that industry and educational institutions are working together to try and address the shortage of skilled workers in mining and other key B.C. industries. For the first time this winter Thompson Rivers University in Williams Lake hosted the three month mine training program sponsored by the BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association. A total of 38 students graduated from the program on Feb. 27. The graduates include seven students from T’exelc, Williams Lake Indian Band, nine students from the Xatsull, Soda Creek Indian Band, 12 students from Ulkatcho First Nation, Anahim Lake, and 10 students from the Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation Kluskus First Nation west of Quesnel. One student quit the program early to take a job. BC AMTA is a federally registered charity devoted
to preparing Aboriginal candidates for sustainable careers within the full cycle of mining including exploration, development, operations and reclamation, states the organization’s mission statement. BC AMTA’s mission is to become the best team in Canada empowering First Nations to create economic health for themselves and their communities through skills training, education and career opportunities. In partnership with industry, governments and educators, BC AMTA provides training and support services to Aboriginal participants through a formal process of personal and professional development – a process that leads to sustainable careers within the full cycle of mining including exploration, mine development, operations and reclamation. Students can begin learning about trades and even begin apprenticeship training in careers such as weld-
ing, carpentry, electrician, cook, and more while still in public school. ACE IT ACE IT is the technical training component of an industry training program (usually an apprenticeship) for high school students. Successful completion of an ACE IT program will give credit for at least level one technical training (in-class) component of the Industry Training Program and because it is a ‘dual credit’ program students also receive secondary school graduation credits. School District 27, in partnership with Thompson Rivers University (Williams Lake), provides ACE IT program opportunities in Heavy Duty Equipment Technician; Welding Level C; Construction Electrician; Carpentry; and Professional Cook 1. Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) is a career program that provides students with the opportunity to begin their ap-
prenticeship training while attending high school. A secondary school apprentice is: 15 years of age or older; working in a paid, part-time position in an ITA recognized trade; working under the supervision of a qualified tradesperson; registered with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) YES 2 IT YES 2 IT (Youth Exploring Skills to Industry Training) is a trades awareness program targeting students in grades 5-10, as well as their parents, educators and communities. The program provides an opportunity for youth to have an engaging, hands-on experience applying some of the skills used in a variety of trade occupations while making connections with tradespersons in their communities. In addition, classroom learning activities support the hands-on experience and parental involvement increases education about career opportunities in the
Morgan Enns a first year welding student at TRU demonstrates welding to a Grade 7 student in the YES 2 It day held recently at the university. LeRae Haynes photo trades. HEAVY METAL ROCKS Heavy Metal Rocks is a heavy equipment intorduction and career awareness project. The project will provide opportunities for students to explore the wide variety of rewarding career choices as heavy duty equipment operators in the
construction/servicesindustries. RCMP ACADEMY The RCMP Academy program is designed for the participation of 24 high school students aged 16 to 18 years, in grade 11 or 12 who are interested in police work or law enforcement as a possible future career.
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