Volume 21 No 2
2e trimestre
2005
Second Quarter

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Volume 21 No 2
2e trimestre • 2005• Second Quarter

CLA 97th Annual Convention
97e Congrès annuel de l’ACIB
Excerpts from the opening address by Mr. Martin Michaud, Chairman at the CLA 97e Annual Convention, February 17, 2005 in Montreal

“This year, over and above the need to find a solution to the trade dispute with our neighbours to the south, we will have to address the expected shortage of round wood, which we have been fearing for quite some time now. It is very likely that this shortage will begin to impair a number of operations in 2005. The key to this important issue will be for the Provincial governments to demonstrate true leadership and to allow the lumber companies to rationalize specific production facilities that will be most affected by the shortage. BC has already been leading the way on this file. Some of you may recall the speech given by BC Forestry Minister de Jung, who three years ago, on this very same convention floor, announced that his province would be setting the stage for forest product companies to maintain their competitiveness in the marketplace. Looking at where BC is today, it would appear that he kept his promise.

The CLA is very different when compared to other Canadian industry associations in that our main focus and strategy does not include a political agenda. In addition to providing high quality grading and inspection services, the CLA also provides management services to other trade associations and develops networking opportunities for the benefit of its members. This very targeted strategy has allowed our Association to develop a strong expertise while operating at very competitive costs.

It Is not without emotion that the Executive Committee decided to proceed with the sale of Timber House last year. Timber House has over the years been an important component of CLA’s assets. In light of the major renovation costs that were forthcoming, the Executive agreed that the time has come to free-up the $$$ invested in Timber House. The proceed of the sale will be used to provide staff with a more enjoyable and efficient working environment, to improve CLA’s current return on investments, and most importantly to improve member services in the long-run. To those of you who might be thinking that the CLA is in financial turmoil, let me reassure you that the sale of Timber House is a move aimed at reducing overhead costs and improving CLA’s returns on investment. We have a sound balance sheet!

As your representative on the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB) I have been looking after the interests of the Eastern Softwood Manufacturers. We have been working very hard trying to resolve the industry’s on-going dispute with the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) regarding their newly developed Canadian Heat Treatment Certification Program, which in part regulates the EXPORT of Canadian wood products into foreign countries. At this stage, I am pleased to report that a negotiated resolution is now in sight, thanks to the strong leadership and guidance of the CLSAB Executive Committee lead by Diana Blenkhorn. Great work, Diana!!

At this time, I would like to introduce the members of the Executive Committee:
Lammert Jagt – CLA Vice-chairman (Your next chairman) and Chairman of the Wholesale & Export Bureau.
Brent Stief – immediate past Chairman of the CLA and Past Chairman of the hardwood Bureau.
Jean-Paul Lupien – Incoming Vice-Chairman of the CLA, and immediate Past Chairman of the CLA Hardwood Bureau.
Stewart Marcoux – Member of the CLA Executive Committee and Director of the Wood Products Manufacturing and Inspection Bureau.
Jean-François Houde – CLA Interim President and Executive Director.

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