March 8, 2022 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Western Forest Products Inc. (“Western”) today announced that it is partnering with Vancouver Island University to establish a bursary to encourage and support more women to enter a career in forestry.

The Western Forest Products Bursary for Women in Forestry will cover half of the tuition fees for the successful candidate enrolled in VIU’s two-year Forestry Resources Technology Diploma Program. Bursary applications are being accepted from September 1 until October 31, 2022, for the program starting September 2022. Priority will be given to those who have graduated from a secondary school in communities where Western operates; or, have worked for, or have a direct family member who works for Western. Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements here.

“On International Women’s Day, we are proud to acknowledge the contributions of all of the women on the Western team. We have the most gender diverse Board and executive management team in the industry and are working to increase the representation of women at all levels of our workforce as we continue our journey towards enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion at Western,” said Jennifer Foster, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Human Resources, Western Forest Products. “As we join the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day, we are pleased to announce a new bursary that provides financial support to women pursuing a career in forestry.”

“We are grateful for Western Forest Products’ support of women in forestry. Before this, VIU did not have any forestry awards specifically for female students. This bursary will help our female students succeed in their program so that they can go on to be productive workers in the forestry industry,” said Jamie Chmielewski, Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries Coordinator, Vancouver Island University.

The successful candidate will be named in December 2022.

About Western Forest Products Inc.

Western is an integrated forest products company building a margin-focused log and lumber business to compete successfully in global softwood markets. With operations and employees located primarily on the coast of British Columbia and Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a lumber capacity in excess of 1.0 billion board feet from seven sawmills and four remanufacturing facilities. The Company sources timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its production through a wholesale program providing customers with a comprehensive range of specialty products.

For further information, please contact:

Babita Khunkhun
Senior Director, Communications
(604) 648-4562