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HSPP digester elevator motor takes helicopter ride

Tiffany Shum on November 29, 2023

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 partners with Take a Hike for Giving Tuesday

Tiffany Shum on November 28, 2023

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:

https://www.takeahikefoundation.org/holiday?form=2023Holiday&utm_source=meta&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_term=gt

To learn more, visit https://www.takeahikefoundation.org/raw-news/paperexcellence

Paper Excellence donations lead to $250,000 in support of wildfire rebuilding efforts

Tiffany Shum on November 27, 2023

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, recipient of the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund (IWEF).

Tiffany Shum on November 23, 2023

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.

    Reviving our Local Salmon Habitat in North Vancouver

    Tiffany Shum on November 22, 2023

    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.

    BC Forestry Event by Google and Mercer International

    Tiffany Shum on November 20, 2023

    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.

    Paper Excellence Canada Demonstrates Commitment to Environmental Conservation with $50,000 Donation to Nature Trust of British Columbia

    Tiffany Shum on November 16, 2023

    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.

    -30-

    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

    PA donates $1000 to the 39th Annual Port Alberni Toy Run

    Tiffany Shum on November 14, 2023

    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.

    A Look into Nova Scotia’s Forestry Sector

    Tiffany Shum on November 10, 2023

    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.

    Indigenous Veterans Day

    Tiffany Shum on November 8, 2023

    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.