Millar Western honored at AFPA AGM
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This year’s AGM and conference of the Alberta Forest Products Association, held September 22-24 in Jasper, saw a strong show of support from the provincial government, whose officials emphasized the importance of the Alberta forest sector’s sustainable economic contributions and stewardship of natural resources. The conference also featured participation by, and awards to, Millar Western representatives. In the conference’s keynote address, Premier Ed Stelmach commended the industry’s success in overcoming unprecedented business challenges while maintaining high environmental standards. He also announced the Province’s plans to amend regulations related to chip-truck volume limits for beetle-killed wood, a move that will reduce fuel consumption, emissions and hauling costs. Sustainable Resource Development Minister Mel Knight took part in a panel discussion of land management priorities, alongside David Collyer of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Brady Whittaker of the AFPA. Mr. Knight also spoke at the conference’s close, announcing new investments in the province’s roads-to-resources infrastructure and SRD’s plans to recognize GPS data for License of Occupation surveys – a move that will yield cost savings for forest companies. Other panel sessions, on “Wood First” legislation, workforce training and aboriginal engagement, and environment/economy balance, featured participation by Municipal Affairs Minister Hector Goudreau, Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Len Webber and Environment Minister Rob Renner. Millar Western staff were on the conference program. President & CEO Craig Armstrong participated in a panel on transportation issues, joining CN Vice-President Vee Kachroo to discuss challenges in moving forest products to global markets and efforts to shift the adversarial railway/shipper relationship to a more cooperative, transparent and efficient model. Fibre Resources Director Trev Wakelin, who serves as chair of the Alberta Softwood Lumber Trade Council, reported on ASLTC activities to AGM delegates, then led a meeting between lumber producers and the federal Department of Foreign and Intergovernmental Affairs on the potential extension of the Softwood Lumber Agreement. During the conference awards ceremony, Millar Western Environmental Coordinator Jeff Shipton accepted EnviroVista Leadership certificates on behalf of the company’s Whitecourt wood products and pulp divisions. The EnviroVista awards recognized the operations’ records of excellence in environmental performance. At the same event, Chairman Mac Millar was named an honorary life member of the AFPA, a title previously bestowed on his uncle, A.J. Millar, in 1987. Former Deputy Minister of Forestry Fred MacDougall paid tribute to Mac’s career, highlighting his contributions, and those of his company, to the advancement of Alberta’s forest industry. The AFPA conference gives members the opportunity to gather for formal sessions and informal discussions on a broad range of issues, with a view to enhancing industry best practices. More than 200 forest company representatives, federal, provincial and municipal government officials, industry suppliers and others met this year in Jasper for this, the association’s 68th annual event. |
 Jeff Shipton (L) received an EnviroVista award from Premier Ed Stelmach and new AFPA Chair Jim LeLacheur (R).  Fred MacDougall (L) paid tribute to Mac Millar, AFPA’s new honorary life member |