c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht) First Nation and Western Forest Products Inc. announced today the completion of the sale of a parcel of Western’s private land located in Port Alberni to Tseshaht for residential development. The purchase of the 7.9 acre property supports Tseshaht’s vision to build housing within the City of Port Alberni for its members and the broader community. The parcel of land was formerly used as a parking lot by Western’s Alberni Pacific Division facility.
The partnership has been given the name La-kwa sa muqw Forestry (pronounced la-KWAH-sa-mook), which means ‘the wood of four’ in the Kwak’wala language. The partnership logo, designed by local artist Diego Matilpi, was also unveiled at the event hosted in the Wei Wai Kum First Nation’s Kwanwatsi Big House.
The newly installed $12 million continuous dry kiln at the Saltair Sawmill increases the mill’s capacity for continuous drying of lumber, and also provides environmental benefits by reducing energy consumption. The new kiln adds to the three existing kilns on site for drying lumber. The Saltair sawmill is the largest single-line sawmill on the coast of B.C. following previous multi-phase strategic capital investments of over $42 million to modernize the sawmill since 2013.
Western is sharing wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season with a contribution of $100,000 to support several Indigenous communities and community-based organizations in the areas where the company operates in British Columbia and Washington State. The financial support will assist communities and charitable organizations provide meals and toys for those who would otherwise go without.
Western Forest Produ […]
The Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K’ómoks First Nations (the “Nations,” all member First Nations of the Nanwakolas Council), and Western Forest Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) (“Western”) have reached an agreement for the Nations to acquire a 34% interest from Western in a newly formed Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”) for $35.9 million (the “Agreement”). The Province of British Columbia helped to facilitate the Partnership through Incremental Treaty Agreements with the Nations, all of whom are in Stage 5 of the British Columbia Treaty Process.
The Town of Port McNeill expressed its appreciation to Western Forest Products for the Company’s contribution of 2.4 acres of property to the town at its September 12 Council Meeting. The three parcels of land, centrally located on Cedar Street adjacent to Rotary Park, are intended to meet the evolving needs and aspirations of the town’s population. Western representatives, Clint Cadwallader, General Manager Timberlands, and Brad McRae, Government Relations Director, joined Mayor Furney and Town Councillors for the land donation announcement at the meeting.
Students at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECUAD) received a lesson in sustainable design thanks to a lumber donation from Western Forest Products. For their final project in year three of the Innovations in Wood Design Program, students were challenged to create a flexible camping structure that provides seating, storage and shelter, while minimizing the environmental impact.
Hemlock from Western’s Value Added Division (VAD) made for the perfect lightweight base to the structures.
The new facilities will expand Western’s annual growth capacity by 750,000 seedlings, or an additional 20 per cent. The increased capacity will create more and lengthier seasonal employment opportunities at the Saanich Centre. And, in addition to being utilized for the reforestation cycles on Western’s tenures, the extra seedlings will support opportunities for special projects.