A feature article in the New York Times suggests NAFTA is far from critical to Canada’s economic survival and even if “what would succeed it is not clear”, Susan Yurkovich (BC Lumber Trade Council) doesn’t anticipate access to US markets to be significantly affected. In other Business news: more on the NDP’s plan to restore appurtenancy rules that tie timber harvests to mills; Oregon wood products show job growth; and forest fires in Canada contribute to Taiwan’s toilet paper panic.

At the BC Forest Professionals AGM, Minister Donaldson announced a review of the province’s Forest Inventory Program and expressed gratitude there was no loss of life associated to the 2017 wildfire season, while Environment Minister Heyman said forestry is not the primary reason for a review of the role of professionals in resource management.

In other news: prefabricated mass timber offers ‘plug and play’ construction; McDonalds is under pressure to go 100 per cent biodebradable with packaging; and beech trees are booming due to climate change and “that’s bad for forests“.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor