We look forward to hearing from inspiring leader Chief Sharleen Gale of Fort Nelson First Nation and Chair of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition at the upcoming #FNMPC2024 Conference. Paper Excellence is proud to be a sponsor of this important event.
During our holiday season, Meadow Lake mill was proud to support the RCMP Victim Services fourth annual Christmas Food & Toy Drive to share some light with local families and children in need.
The MLMP Social Club also raised $530 at the recent mill Christmas party. Victoria Seng-Low, from the RCMP, commented on how the food and toy drive “embodies the true spirit of the season by focusing on adopting families for Christmas.” While the drive was previously led by the RCMP’s Youth Advisory Committee, this year, Gateway Victim Services and the RCMP have united forces to continue this heartwarming tradition. Through generous donations from our community and partnering agencies, this initiative brightens the holidays for those in need by distributing food and toys across our community.
Employee generosity is especially welcome as our community says goodbye to the Salvation Army after over 85 years of service. The Salvation Army has provided such amazing care and friendship as they’ve served and supported families.
Invasive species are always a serious consideration when evaluating the suitability of habitat for Pacific salmon, as they can interfere with the balance of the ecosystem. An invasive plant of high concern on Vancouver Island is Parrot’s Feather, an aquatic weed grows quickly through the summer months and can rapidly spread to cover most of the open surface area of a creek. Parrot’s Feather is subtropical in origin but can survive the climate extremes of the Cowichan Valley and has firmly established itself in Somenos Creek near Duncan.
Dense growth of aquatic weeds like Parrot’s Feather can drastically reduce the levels of dissolved oxygen in a body of water, and this effect has been recorded in Somenos Creek. A critical water quality parameter for salmon survival in the fall spawning migration period is dissolved oxygen, and these oxygen levels typically do not recover in the creek until several months later, meaning that conditions in Somenos Creek are not survivable for salmonids until mid-November to early December. Salmon spawn in the inflow creeks into Somenos Lake, but salmon can only access the inflow creeks by moving through Somenos Creek. It is unsurprising, then, that the number of spawning salmon in the watershed is lower than in the past. Concerningly, no observations of chum have been made in the past three years.
This issue is a primary concern for the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society, among other ecological restoration efforts in the S’amunu\Somenos watershed. Thanks to funding from the Community Salmon Program this spring, the group has been able to purchase an invaluable piece of equipment called a U6 Logger that will hopefully inform the best plan of action going forward to tackling this invasive species.
Removal of Parrot’s Feather from 2-4m sections of the river using an aquatic mower have been underway throughout the summer. The U26 logger will then be used to monitor dissolved oxygen and temperature in these cleared channels, as well as sections of the river where Parrot’s Feather remains. The objective is to see if the control/removal method can be applied to all of Somenos Creek to improve oxygen levels for migrating salmon in the fall, with the hopes that improved oxygen levels will also extend the foraging and refuge potential of the creek for fry and smolts in late spring and summer.
The advancement of this project thanks to funders like Paper Excellence strongly benefits the community, including the volunteers who support the society, as well as students from local schools who can experience hands-on education while getting involved in the project. Thanks to Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society’s awareness efforts, members of the community and stakeholders are well versing in this important issue. Cowichan Tribes are a partner in the group’s GreenStreams strategy, and the society also works closely with the Municipality of North Cowichan to address issues in Somenos Creek.
Habitat Restoration and Monitoring in Somenos Creek in Cowichan Valley
Pacific Salmon Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and their habitats in British Columbia and the Yukon. They work with all members of the ‘salmon community’ to advance the collective efforts, promote awareness of this keystone species, and guide the sustainable future of wild Pacific salmon and their habitat. As a vocal advocate for salmon, PSF helps action priorities that support the conservation of this vital ecological resource.
Learn more about Paper Excellence’s support of the Pacific Salmon Foundation:
Congratulations to Chisanga Chanda, Desktop Support Analyst on his well-deserved Spark Award. He earned the award for his positive work attitude. He is always available to provide technical support and excited to learn new things.
Chisanga has been with Paper Excellence for two years and his most memorable moment is when he first joined the team. There was a power outage at the office, and he was called to assist at 3:00 am in the morning. Thanks to his professional help, the computer servers were up and running again later that morning.
Chisanga was very surprised when he was told he’d won a Spark Award. It made him feel noticed and valued. This recognition reflects the culture and values of Paper Excellence, owned by Jackson Wijaya, and ensures that exceptional efforts like Chisanga’s are celebrated and acknowledged.
At Paper Excellence, we believe in fostering the talents of the next generation to shape the future of our industry. As an Engineer-In-Training at Meadow Lake Mill, Attila Szanto, a chemical engineering graduate from the University of Saskatchewan, is bringing his passion for problem-solving to our industry.
Attila’s teachings and takeaways from the chemical engineering program at the University of Saskatchewan are reflected in the pulp and paper industry. He explains, “It is one of the fields that is most reflective of the chemical engineering degree; it gives you experience in a lot of chemical engineering topics.”
Exemplifying his dedication to innovation and improving operational efficiency, Attila is currently working on an anti-scalant trial for the evaporators at Meadow Lake. Projects like these show how young talents like Attila are driving positive change in the industry, aligning with Paper Excellence’s commitment to sustainability and excellence.
Attila is living in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, while working at the mill and is enjoying the experience. The positive outlook on his surroundings reflects the welcoming and supportive community that often characterizes the towns where our mills are located.
Attila has been pleased with the ease of transition from the classroom to the industry. “It is very similar to the things we learn in school, I find myself applying the things I learned in school very often already,” said Attila. We look forward to witnessing the impacts he will make as he continues to apply his chemical engineering expertise to create a sustainable and prosperous future for our industry.
Stay tuned for more stories of excellence as we spotlight the remarkable individuals who are driving our industry forward. At Paper Excellence, we are not just crafting paper, we are cultivating talent and shaping a sustainable future.
Paper Excellence is proud of the support we give the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF). We value the work PSF does to preserve salmon habitat and restore the salmon population because it supports our commitment to protecting freshwater and marine ecosystems. One of the ongoing projects that Paper Excellence funding helped make possible is Monitoring Key Salmon Indicators with Citizen Science at Pender Harbour. Read PSF’s project update below:
Monitoring Key Salmon Indicators with Citizen Science at Pender Harbour
The Loon Foundation has been participating in the Salish Sea Marine Survival Program in partnership with the Pacific Salmon Foundation since 2005. This exciting Citizen Science-based initiative consists of volunteer teams throughout the Salish Sea gathering oceanographic data in effort to understand fluctuation in returns of various salmonid species within the shared waters of British Columbia and Washington.
With support from the Community Salmon Program this spring, the Loon Foundation has been able to continue executing one of its largest and most exciting ongoing initiatives: the Pender Harbour Coastal Waters Monitoring Program (PHCWMP). Launched in 2016, the goal of this program is to develop long-term monitoring of temporal and spatial changes in the aquatic ecosystems of the fresh and marine waters of the Pender Harbour region. The monitoring program collects comprehensive data on key species and habitats to identify trends and thereby work with collaborators to investigate potential causes of disruption, such as land development, pollution, resource extraction, invasive species, and climate change.
This round of funding to the Loon Foundation, thanks to generous contributions from Paper Excellence, will be utilized specifically for four PHCWMP monitoring programs focused on salmon, their prey, and their habitat, including:
(1) Salmon Escapement – enumerating and habitat assessment of returning spawners to local creeks.
(2) Juvenile Salmon – identifying habitat use, migration patterns, health, and spatial and temporal distributions within Pender Harbour.
(3) Forage Fish – identifying and assessing spawning beaches of two key prey fish for Pacific salmon (Pacific Sand Lance and Surf Smelt).
(4) Seagrass – identifying and assessing health of eelgrass beds as key habitat for salmon survival.
Not only does this data benefit a wide range of groups including local governments and First Nations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, researchers, stakeholders, and partner organizations, but it provides engaging volunteer opportunities working with trained biologists in the community. These salmon survey activities also enable Sunshine Coast residents to learn about local salmon species and the threats they face, gain a sense of community, and connect directly with wild Pacific salmon and their habitats through a science-based lens. Public engagement activities, including web and social media posts, media articles, presentations, school programs, and events also spread knowledge and awareness of the importance of protecting salmon habitat far and wide.
Pacific Salmon Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and their habitats in British Columbia and the Yukon. They work with all members of the ‘salmon community’ to advance the collective efforts, promote awareness of this keystone species, and guide the sustainable future of wild Pacific salmon and their habitat. As a vocal advocate for salmon, PSF helps action priorities that support the conservation of this vital ecological resource.
Learn more about Paper Excellence’s support of the Pacific Salmon Foundation:
Paper Excellence is proud of the support we give to the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF). We value the work PSF does to preserve salmon habitat and restore the salmon population because it supports our commitment to protecting freshwater and marine ecosystems. One of the ongoing projects that Paper Excellence funding helped make possible is the hatchery upgrades at Chapman Creek, Sechelt. Read PSF’s project update below:
Hatchery Upgrades at Chapman Creek on the Sunshine Coast
Hatcheries are an important conservation tool to support Pacific salmon populations. The Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society aims to assist, encourage, and promote salmonid enhancement in the streams of the Sunshine Coast and facilitate public education on salmonid habitats, life cycles, and their vital role in the ecosystems that depend on them. The Chapman Creek Hatchery is responsible for producing up to 50,000 coho, 70,000 Chinook, 90,000 chum, and 250,000 pink salmon every year with the goal of safeguarding the genetic diversity of wild Pacific salmon for generations to come.
This May, the hatchery was able to release approximately 29,000 chum salmon fry, 39,000 coho smolts, and 65,000 Chinook smolts into Chapman Creek. To best continue supporting and enhancing salmon populations across four species, the hatchery is undertaking some crucial upgrades to their plumbing and water intake systems. This will benefit the overall operations of rearing and incubating of fish, as well as supporting the countless volunteers that keep the hatchery running and enabling the hatchery’s ongoing educational programming for young people.
With support from the Community Salmon Program, the Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society has been hard at work upgrading vital equipment at their local hatchery to keep the facility active in bringing the next generation of Pacific salmon to their local streams. Grant funds have allowed the hatchery to update their plumbing to repair and replace a leaking water line pipe that sources the creek water. They have also been able to install a Shut-off Valve at the Intake Water Culvert, allowing the hatchery to complete maintenance on piping and future work without sandbagging the flow, with the added benefit of acting as flooding control.
Pacific Salmon Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and their habitats in British Columbia and the Yukon. They work with all members of the ‘salmon community’ to advance the collective efforts, promote awareness of this keystone species, and guide the sustainable future of wild Pacific salmon and their habitat. As a vocal advocate for salmon, PSF helps action priorities that support the conservation of this vital ecological resource.
Learn more about Paper Excellence’s support of the Pacific Salmon Foundation:
As we approach the new year, we’re taking time to look back at what we have achieved in 2023. This year, we met challenges with determination and ended up with a significant number of successes. Join us in this retrospective moment as we recognize our collective efforts of 2023.
At Paper Excellence, we believe we can accomplish great things by working cooperatively with others. This includes teaming up with external special interest groups that share our goals. Through time, it’s become clear that working with others not only creates good, but also changes who you are. We’re proud that many of our partners have influenced and changed the way we see the world.
Read about our 2023 Industry Partnerships achievements:
BC Forestry Event by Google and Mercer International – Paper Excellence Group
Paper Excellence is a Proud FPInnovations Member – Paper Excellence Group
Leading and Learning at PACWEST – Paper Excellence Group
Gavin Baxter & PACWEST: A Long History – Paper Excellence Group
A Look into Nova Scotia’s Forestry Sector – Paper Excellence Group
As we approach the new year, we’re taking time to look back at what we have achieved in 2023. This year, we met challenges with determination and ended up with a significant number of successes. Join us in this retrospective moment as we recognize our collective efforts of 2023.
One of Paper Excellence’s achievements includes our evolving Indigenous relations program. We understand the importance of being good neighbours and we greatly value our relationships with Indigenous communities.
Read about our 2023 Indigenous Relations achievements:
CCAB events focus on partnerships, belonging and humanity – Paper Excellence Group
Indigenous Cultural Awareness Talk for Leaders – Paper Excellence Group
Congratulations Tatyana Schneider, Indspire Scholarship Recipient – Paper Excellence Group
Congratulations Gracie Crafts, Indspire Scholarship Recipient – Paper Excellence Group
Supporting Indigenous Learning on the Sunshine Coast – Paper Excellence Group
As we approach the new year, we’re taking time to look back at what we have achieved in 2023. This year, we met challenges with determination and ended up with a significant number of successes. Join us in this retrospective moment as we recognize our collective efforts of 2023.
Paper Excellence believes in fostering the talents of the next generation to shape the future of our industry. We continued to expand the visibility of our talent acquisition programs at universities and trade schools and to invest in our Engineers in Training program that provides in-mill opportunities for recent graduates.
Read about our 2023 interviews with our Engineers-in-Training:
Exploring the World of Pulp and Paper: An Interview with Qasim K., EIT – Paper Excellence Group
Exploring the World of Pulp and Paper: An Interview with Asad Hayat, EIT – Paper Excellence Group
Exploring the World of Pulp and Paper: An Interview with Attila Szanto, EIT – Paper Excellence Group
Exploring the World of Pulp and Paper: An Interview with Nawaf Salem, EIT – Paper Excellence Group
Exploring the World of Pulp and Paper: An Interview with Matthew Scott, EIT – Paper Excellence Group
Shaping the Future of Pulp and Paper: An Interview with John Sunny, EIT – Paper Excellence Group
Before Christmas, our Skookumchuck mill donated $1000, along with some food items and winter accessories, to the Cranbrook Food Bank Society and $1000 to Kimberly Food Bank.
It’s another example of making a positive impact together by giving back to the community.
As we approach the new year, we’re taking time to look back at what we have achieved in 2023. This year, we met challenges with determination and ended up with a significant number of successes. Join us in this retrospective moment as we recognize our collective efforts of 2023.
At the heart of our success is the recognition that we are inextricably tied to the success and well-being of the communities we operate in. We proudly partner with our neighbours. Every year, we support numerous local events and projects, and celebrate the opportunity to build connections and partnerships across Canada.
Read about the community support we provided in 2023:
Paper Excellence partners with Take a Hike for Giving Tuesday – Paper Excellence Group
MLMP Makes $10,000 Donation to Support Local Healthcare – Paper Excellence Group
PA donates $1000 to the 39th Annual Port Alberni Toy Run – Paper Excellence Group
Zoe Clarke: Bright Futures Scholarship Recipient Zoe Clarke: – Paper Excellence Group
Congratulations to Holly Brown Bear for being one of the twenty entrepreneurs to receive IWEF funding this year. She is a good example of where hard work and determination can take you. Going into her second year of college, she has already successfully landed a position as a Commercial Re-toucher and Photo Editor for Chris Griffiths at Bang-On Photography.
“As someone in the early stages of starting my business I have found the funds very useful. So far, I have been able to use them towards the purchase of a website and domain to begin to build my shop online. I was also able to make the trip to the Pow Wow pitch with the help of the grant where I placed in the top ten,” explained Holly Brown Bear. “Next step now that I have settled on it is to officially claim my name so that I can have a stronger brand for my products and services.”
CCAB’s Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund 2023 was presented by LNG Canada with a contribution from Paper Excellence. The fund is open to Indigenous women-owned businesses that have encountered systemic barriers to lending relationships. The fund is administered through CCAB’s Tools and Financing for Aboriginal Business (TFAB) program to enhance Aboriginal entrepreneurship through providing access to development and networks.
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, businesses, and communities through diverse programming providing tools, training, network building, major business awards, and national events. By building relationships, CCAB helps to foster an equitable and sustainable economy across Canada.
As we approach the new year, we’re taking time to look back at what we have achieved in 2023. This year, we met challenges with determination and ended up with a significant number of successes. Join us in this retrospective moment as we recognize our collective efforts of 2023.
One of Paper Excellence’s achievements is our incredible team. Our diverse and talented employees are an important foundation for our company’s growth. We are committed to creating an environment where every employee feels valued and motivated to contribute their best. A big thank you to our amazing team.
Read about our 2023 employee achievements:
Congratulations to Barbara Ramirez for winning the Spark Award – Paper Excellence Group
Celebrating Customer Service Week at Paper Excellence! – Paper Excellence Group
Top 10 Under 40: Taneal Brucks – Paper Excellence Group
Congratulations to Take a Hike Foundation on their successful donation campaign. Partnering with Paper Excellence, their Giving Tuesday donation campaign raised $19,260 over the course of five-days, marking almost a 400% increase compared to their campaign last year.
We are honoured to take part in this a meaningful act which supports youth with mental illness. We are pleased that our $50,000 donation inspired others to give. This fund will go towards the operations of the foundation including gear and apparel, park admissions, transportation for the youth. It will ensure that youth at Take a Hike can engage in land-based learning activities safely with the equipment and materials they need.
A big thank you to the community donors who supported and participated in making this collective effort a success! This generosity is making a positive impact on the lives of young individuals.
To learn more about Paper Excellence’s support of Take a Hike Foundation:
To learn more about Take a Hike Foundation and the work they do:
Congratulations to Barbara Ramirez, Supervisor, Customer Account Representatives on her well-deserved Spark Award.
Barbara earned her nomination through her outstanding work ethic. This award not only reflects her commendable work habits, but also her reputation as a dependable and supportive team player.
Upon receiving the award, Barbara was both surprised and thrilled as she had not anticipated this recognition. “Receiving this award lets me know that my efforts are noticed and valued,” said Barbara.
Her manager, Alex Keegan, explains more: “Barbara is a pleasure to work with. She consistently maintains a positive attitude, embraces challenges, and demonstrates respect and support for her team members.”
Barbara finds fulfillment in her daily work because she’s helping people. “It’s about more than servicing our customers, it is about being ahead of their needs and working together through every challenge.” She’s committed to Paper Excellence because she values the company’s diversity and appreciates her colleagues willingness to share their knowledge.
One special recollection she has with the company is Customer Service Appreciation week. This event included a series of activities, gifts exchanges, and lunches over four days during in early October. It provided the opportunity for everyone to deepen their connections with colleagues.
Paper Excellence’s Indigenous Relations program is rooted in a thoughtful, policy-driven approach reflecting our dedication to building connections with Indigenous communities.
Here are four recent examples of our Indigenous Relations program in action:
Click here to learn more about our Indigenous Relations Program.
Our participation in the Muiwatmnej Etuaptmumk Conference was a deeply gratifying experience, giving us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the sheer diversity of Mi’kmaq projects and perspectives in the region. The experience was both enlightening and enjoyable!
The Muiwatmnej Etuaptmumk Conference was a three-day event that addressed both Indigenous and Canadian standpoints. Led by a combination of Mi’kmaq elders and knowledge keepers alongside industry and academic researchers, it included themes of fostering the spirit of reconciliation and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The underlying thread of all the discussions was how Two-Eyed Seeing can bridge the gap between Indigenous knowledge and modern science. Cultural performances also embodied this fusion, with the incredible dance of Sarah Prosper woven with Allan Syliboy and the Thundermakers spoken word and amazing music by both Jeremy Dutcher and Morgan Toney.
Conferences such as Muiwatmnej Etuaptmumk support our ongoing Indigenous relations commitment to listen and learn about the unique and diverse territories in which we operate. We are already looking forward to next year’s conference and raise our hands in appreciation to all the organizers!
To learn more about Paper Excellence policy and program, visit our Indigenous Peoples page.
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The digester elevator motor failed at HSPP on Sept. 19 in the middle of the kraft annual shut and had to be removed by a crane that was on site for shut assistance. The digester motor was sent to the city for a rebuild with no estimated return date.
On September 27th, we were advised that the motor was on its way back to the mill. The crane was no longer on site and plans had to be made quickly to determine how to get the motor back into its place, 226 feet off the ground.
Hazard/Risk Assessment
With help from the Safety department and Fire Captain, a hazard/risk assessment and job plan were reviewed and accepted to lift and land the motor into place by helicopter. The plan was to stage the motor behind the unoccupied paper machine and fly it overhead to the digester elevator machine room on a low mill occupancy day.
The flight zone was reviewed, all access points identified, location of traffic personnel set, who and how to rig the motor laid out, a clear communication plan established, and all potential hazards identified. A safety bulletin was sent out mill-wide the day before the lift was to take place and a mill-wide warning page, e-mail, and radio call set up for 15 minutes and five minutes before lift.
With all access points verified and flagged in danger tape, a pre-meet was held at the helipad 30 minutes prior to lift to review each person’s job once again then everyone went to their given positions and the Gatehouse sent out the two-mill wide notifications.
Massive Coordination Succeeds
The helicopter took off from the helipad at 1 p.m., flew north to the staged motor, and the load was connected. The helicopter continued from the loading zone to the top of the digester along the flight path, guided be sight and the MW weekend crew.
The motor was successfully landed onto the elevator machine room platform and helicopter was released. The entire flight time lasted just under three minutes. It was a very quick job in the end but needed a lot of coordination and people involved to be a success; a huge thank you to all who were involved.
Paper Excellence is pleased to announce that we will be matching donations up to $50,000 this Giving Tuesday. We are proud to support vulnerable youths and help them forge a bright future.
The Take a Hike foundation collaborates with public school districts to engage vulnerable youths in a mental health and emotional well-being program. Their mission is to empower these vulnerable youth with the skills and resilience they need to graduate high school, build healthy relationships and achieve success. They provide a safe and caring community by engaging youth in clinical counselling, and regular outdoor adventures.
Take a Hike’s objective aligns with our corporate goals. In our mission, we identify that “we will enhance the well-being of the communities that we operate in.” We do this, in part, through donations to organizations and programs nationally, provincially and in the regions where we operate.
One of our focuses is on at-risk children and youth, a priority shared by Take a Hike as they work towards assisting youths with mental illnesses. We believe in the transformative power of supporting these individuals and we remain dedicated to making a positive impact in their lives. Join us in making a difference this Giving Tuesday, donate here today:
To learn more, visit https://www.takeahikefoundation.org/raw-news/paperexcellence
On October 11, 2023, Paper Excellence announced an additional $175,000 contribution towards wildfire recovery efforts in Shelburne County to follow its $25,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada Fires Appeal earlier in the year.
The earlier $25,000 donation received matched support from the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia, leading to a total of $250,000 towards wildfire rebuilding efforts in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.
In October, community members in Shelburne County gathered to celebrate the contributions from Paper Excellence, as well as generous contributions of lumber and support from Freeman Lumber, Scotsburn Lumber, and Wilson’s Home Hardware Building Centre in Barrington.
Congratulations to Shelby Corley for being one of the twenty entrepreneurs of 2023 to receive IWEF. Her business, Three Hive Consulting is an Indigenous-owned, Alberta-based consulting firm. It specializes in evaluation, providing clients with information, people and tools to learn and improve. Since 2015, Three Hive Consulting has built a clientele in the non-profit, government and healthcare sectors. Furthermore, the company values in giving back to its evaluation community by supporting in various capacities such as the Canada Evaluation Society and by providing free evaluation content at Eval Academy.
CCAB’s Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund 2023 was presented by LNG Canada with a contribution from Paper Excellence. The fund is open to Indigenous women-owned businesses that have encountered systemic barriers to lending relationships. The fund is administered through CCAB’s Tools and Financing for Aboriginal Business (TFAB) program to enhance Aboriginal entrepreneurship through providing access to development and networks.
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, businesses, and communities through diverse programming providing tools, training, network building, major business awards, and national events. By building relationships, CCAB helps to foster an equitable and sustainable economy across Canada.
Chris Stoicheff, a dedicated member of Paper Excellence’s Government Relation’s team recently volunteered in a meaningful event dedicated to Salmon Habitat Restoration. It was a collaborative event orchestrated by the Pacific Salmon Foundation, District of North Vancouver, and North Shore Streamkeepers. The objective of this joint effort was to restore the salmon habitat and spawning streams in Lynn Creek, North Vancouver.
Throughout the event, participants learned about the process of refurbishing habitat for salmon. They engaged in tree planting along the riverbank to increase shade, effectively lowering the temperature in the streams to improve spawning conditions. Additionally, they cleared the stream from debris making it a more sustainable environment for the freshwater marine.
Pacific Salmon Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and their habitats in British Columbia and the Yukon. They work with all members of the ‘salmon community’ to advance the collective efforts, promote awareness of this keystone species, and guide the sustainable future of wild Pacific salmon and their habitat. As a vocal advocate for salmon, PSF helps action priorities that support the conservation of this vital ecological resource.
Quinton Hayward, Paper Excellence’s Chief Forester, recently participated in the BC Forestry Event jointly hosted by Google and Mercer International.
The event workshops were designed to equip forestry professionals with practical tools and strategies that they can use to enhance their operations, improve sustainability, and drive growth in the industry.
Quinton found the workshops enlightening and also had the opportunity to build new connections and delve further into the potential solutions for the forest industry. It was a good opportunity to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among industry professionals.
He expressed, “It is good to see how advancements in technology can be further used to benefit the forest industry and help our operations remain competitive in a global market. I would like to thank both Google and Mercer for bringing the industry together to discuss these important topics.”
Overall, the goal of the event was to unify the BC forestry leaders with an opportunity to share the knowledge, resources and expertise of Google companies and partners to address strategic issues facing in the forestry industry. Thanks for Google and Mercer for putting together such an informative event.
November 16, 2023
For Immediate Release:
Richmond, BC – Paper Excellence Canada proudly announced today a generous contribution of $50,000 to the Nature Trust of British Columbia. This donation will support the Nature Trust of British Columbia’s conservation projects in the Kootenays and reflects Paper Excellence’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation.
“Our support for the Nature Trust of British Columbia’s endeavours in the Kootenays aligns with our core values of environmental responsibility,” said Blair Dickerson, Vice President, Public Affairs, Paper Excellence Canada. “We are so pleased to contribute to the preservation of this exceptional region for the benefit of current and future generations.”
“We are grateful for this generous donation from Paper Excellence. The Kootenays are home to some of Canada’s most iconic wildlife species including Rocky Mountain elk, American badger, grizzly bear, and more. Protecting these lands, sustaining migration corridors and ensuring these ecosystems remain intact will help fight climate change and biodiversity loss for generations to come,” said Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO, Nature Trust of British Columbia.
Since 2021, Paper Excellence has contributed over $1.2 million through our corporate giving program to enhance the well-being of the communities that we operate in. The program’s four areas of focus are: The four areas of focus are: Education & Entrepreneurship, Indigenous Reconciliation, Environment & Sustainability, and At-Risk Children & Youth.
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Paper Excellence Canada, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers in Canada with a production capacity of over 2.5 million tonnes annually and a workforce of more than 2,100. Paper Excellence is pleased to work in partnership with communities where we operate as a major employer of choice and market leader.
Media Contact:
media@paperexcellence.com
Brenda Martin, Public Affairs Manager
Cell: 236-982-0484
Port Alberni’s HR Manager Brian Fleury presented a $1,000 donation to the 39th Annual Port Alberni Toy Run, which took place September 16-17. “Thank you, Brian Fleury of Catalyst Paper, and fellow rider who presented the Port Alberni Toy Run with a donation cheque for $1,000. We appreciate the generous support,” said Vince Gladstone, one of the Toy Run organizers. There were 1,100 riders who came out to the Toy Run, their passengers, as well as our dozens of volunteers, vendors, and members. It was a fantastic weekend overall.
It is this kind of generosity that truly makes a difference in our communities. Let’s continue to inspire one another and make our world a better place with acts of kindness.
Kendall Spencer, who provides communications support to Paper Excellence Canada, joined Paper Excellence, the Careers and Technology Education Association of Nova Scotia, and other Nova Scotia forestry players on the recent Forestry Field Day for Teachers. This was a professional development opportunity for Kendall to expand her knowledge of the distinctive dynamics of the forestry sector in Nova Scotia.
A few weeks back, I travelled through the forestry hubs of Colchester County with teachers from across Nova Scotia to broaden my understanding of the province’s forestry sector. The trip included a holistic look into the sector, from planning to harvesting to product manufacturing, and sent us home with valuable knowledge and takeaways.
Understanding Ecological Forestry
Our day began in Riversdale, Nova Scotia, where Rick Archibald and Karl Whiffen of Paper Excellence, as well as Forest Nova Scotia and Canadian Woodlands Forum representatives, explained the 160-year history of Riversdale’s forestry management.
The heart of our discussions centred around the newly adopted ecological forestry approach to forest management of Crown land in Nova Scotia, as introduced in the Lahey Report (2018). This triad approach, often referred to as ecological forestry, divides Crown land into three distinct zones – conservation zones, high-production forest zones, and ecological zones.
What stood out to me was Paper Excellence’s adoption of this approach extending not only to Crown lands under their management but also to their privately owned lands. A conscious decision to allocate portions of their land to conservation and ecological forestry demonstrated their commitment to aligning with the province’s ecological vision.
Mitigating the Impacts of Natural Disasters
The next part of our field trip involved witnessing a live salvage operation and discussing a biodiversity research trial in Riversdale. At the site, Rick, Karl, representatives from the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, and Forestry Equipment owners (and operators) from Shay and Phillips Forestry Ltd. explained the impacts of wind events, such as Post-Tropical Storm Fiona, on harvesting operations and how we need to proactively prepare for them. At this site, we discovered the importance of salvage operations in forest fire prevention, especially given the historic wildfire season in Nova Scotia last summer.
Before a live demonstration of the salvage operation, teachers had an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the cutting-edge harvester used by Shay and Phillips Ltd. The harvester gave our group a valuable look into the industry’s constant evolution and major technological advances.
The tour hosts also highlighted the impressive skills of Forestry Equipment Operators. To run an efficient operation, these Operators require tree identification capabilities, a deep understanding of the tree use (e.g., studs, sawlogs, pulp), and excellent driving abilities. Due to the job’s demands, the Forestry Sector Council is advocating for the recognition of Forestry Equipment Operators (Harvester and Forwarder) under Nova Scotia’s Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act.
The Final Product
Our last destination on the tour was J.D. Irving’s Sproule Sawmill in Valley, Nova Scotia. We had a chance to explore the intricacies of wood product manufacturing and the efficiencies of today’s lumber production process.
The comprehensive use of wood products really caught my interest. Each part of the log is used, including the products (chips, sawdust, shavings, and bark) that didn’t make the cut for lumber production. To my surprise, these products represent approximately 50% of the log. The sawdust, bark, and shavings find new purpose in heating the mill’s dry kilns for lumber drying. Additionally, they are sold to the nearby Dalhousie Agricultural campus co-generation plant to generate electricity. The waste heat produced during electricity generation is then utilized to heat the campus. The total use of the wood products underscored a strong commitment to sustainability—a recurring theme observed throughout the day.
The trip was an excellent showcase of the unique and innovative landscape of Nova Scotia’s forestry sector. It was an enlightening experience for me and an excellent opportunity for the educators of the Careers and Technology Education Association of Nova Scotia.
On Indigenous Veterans Day we honour the contributions made by Indigenous Veterans.
The participation of Indigenous people in Canada’s military efforts over the years has been impressive. These determined volunteers were often forced to overcome many challenges to serve in uniform. These included learning a new language, adapting to cultural differences, and having to travel great distances from their remote communities just to enlist.
The story of Indigenous service in the First (1914- 1918) and Second (1939-1940 World Wars, the Korean War (1950) and later Canadian Armed Forces efforts is a proud one. It has been estimated that as many as 12,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit people served in the great conflicts of the 20th century.
On November 8th, let us all take a moment to remember and say thank the Indigenous Veterans who defended our nation with courage and dedication.
To learn more about the remarkable historical stories of Indigenous men and women who have served in Canada’s military, visit https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/people-and-stories/indigenous-veterans.
At Paper Excellence, we believe in fostering the talents of the next generation to shape the future of our industry. Asad Hayat is a recent graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University with a degree in Chemical Engineering and is currently an Engineer-In-Training at the Howe Sound Pulp & Paper Mill.
Asad found himself drawn to the pulp and paper industry through an immersive co-op work term at a Linerboard facility. The intricacies of converting raw materials into packaging and printing materials ignited a curiosity that would soon turn into a career path. What captivated Asad even more was the collaborative nature of the industry, where experts from diverse fields join forces to solve intricate challenges, creating an environment that thrives on dynamic problem-solving.
Stepping into the world of pulp and paper, Asad encountered surprising dynamics that shape this industry. “One aspect that has stood out is the intricate interplay between process efficiency and environmental sustainability. I’ve been amazed by the complex balance that needs to be maintained to ensure optimal production while minimizing the industry’s ecological footprint,” said Asad.
Currently, Asad is immersed in a project centred around optimizing wood utilization. The project involves creating comprehensive wood chip mass balances for each operational unit in the mill. “This approach allows me to gain deeper insights into the precise allocation of wood chips – identifying areas of efficient utilization as well as areas where wastage occurs,” said Asad.
Gibsons, BC is a vibrant community that Asad now calls home. The town’s stunning natural beauty, coupled with the warm community and diverse restaurants, paints an idyllic backdrop for Asad’s new journey. The ease of access, with a mere 40-minute ferry ride to Vancouver, adds an element of convenience to Asad’s experience.
Moving from the bustling streets of Toronto to the tranquil landscapes of Gibsons was a significant change for Asad. However, the transition was made even more enriching by the presence of Asad’s wife and his 6-month-old child. This new chapter has brought a sense of home to Gibsons, making it a place of new beginnings and opportunities waiting to be seized.
Stay tuned for more stories of excellence as we continue to spotlight the individuals who drive our industry forward. At Paper Excellence, we’re not just crafting paper; we’re cultivating talent and shaping a sustainable future.
Uncover the transformative power of wood in building and reshaping greener cities in Canada. We are proud to be part of the Canadian forest sector which is committed to the sustainable management and stewardship of the country’s public forests.
From the news article:
Cities across Canada are facing high demand to build, and to build fast. From housing to key infrastructure, the question is being asked about how we build faster while still delivering on sustainable and environmentally friendly design. The answer? Build with wood.
This historic building method is back, and in large part because Canada’s forests are a valuable asset in the fight against climate change, serving as critical carbon sinks. But as trees age, they begin to lose their ability to absorb carbon and become more susceptible to pests, disease and fire – natural disturbances that can release tremendous amounts of CO2 and other GHGs back into the atmosphere.
That’s why it’s critical to harness the full carbon capture potential of forests through sustainable forest management – something that Canada’s forest sector is a world-leader in. It includes carefully planning the future of forests, one element of which is selective harvesting. This allows the trees left behind to grow bigger and more resilient to pests, disease and fire, then replanting trees that absorb the most carbon while they are young and growing.
Trees that leave the forest continue to store carbon, and that’s where building with wood comes into play. In construction for example, wood products such as lumber and mass timber (made by layering laminated and compressed wood) keep carbon locked in for many years, moving the carbon capture potential of forests into cities.
And because Canada’s forest sector manages the country’s public forests sustainably and responsibly, this carbon capture potential can be maximized by building homes, bridges, shopping malls, schools – and others – with wood.
“Most of our new buildings are filled with petrochemicals,” says Kelly Alvarez Doran, co-founder of Ha/f Climate Design and a professor at the University of Toronto’s faculty of architecture, landscape and design. “In contrast, a century ago our buildings were made of stone, earth, wood, straw and hemp. It is exciting that we are now looking to these materials again.”
“These low-carbon materials have been removed from our buildings and from our construction supply chain systematically – and we need to systematically bring them back. How does a country covered in forests and fields have any excuse but to not have bio-based construction? Nearly every part of a building could be grown. We need to wean our buildings off petroleum quickly.”
Mass timber products like CLT, or cross-laminated timber, can replace large-span, concrete floor slabs. Glulam (glue-laminated timber) can replace concrete or steel beams. Wood fibre board and cellulose insulation can replace fossil-fuel derived insulations.
“One option is accelerating climate change, and then there’s wood and other bio-based materials, which could serve to mitigate it,” Doran explains.
Read the full article here: How building with wood is creating greener cities – The Globe and Mail
