FPAC Welcomes Millar Western as Newest Member

OTTAWA, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - The Chairman of the Board of the Forest Products Association of Canada, Jim Lopez, today announced that Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. has become the newest member of FPAC and the latest signatory to the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA).  The association is the voice of Canada's wood, pulp and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade and environmental affairs.

"We are delighted to have such a progressive Canadian forest company join our ranks and further underscore the industry's commitment to the Boreal Agreement," said Lopez. The landmark CBFA, signed in May of 2010, commits more than 20 large forest companies and 9 environmental groups to joint leadership in trying to both secure jobs and conserve the environment in Canada's Boreal forest.

Alberta-based Millar Western has been part of the Canadian forestry business for close to a century. From its headquarters in Edmonton, the family-owned company operates sawmills in Whitecourt, Boyle and Fox Creek, Alberta and a bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp mill in Whitecourt.   By next fall, when the company's new Fox Creek sawmill is commissioned, the company will be able to produce 550 million board feet of lumber and 320,000 tonnes of pulp destined for markets in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

"Millar Western is known for the responsible development of its forest resources, and that makes it a good addition to our association," said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of FPAC.  "The company provides employment for many hundreds of people in Alberta.  It has shown a strong commitment to managing natural resources with care and meeting or surpassing the high environmental standards that Canada's forest products industry is known for throughout the world."

"FPAC has proven a strong and effective voice for the forest products industry," said Craig Armstrong, President and CEO of Millar Western. "We are pleased to join FPAC and eager to work as an association member to address sector challenges and to advance the social, economic and environmental contributions made by Canada's forest products industry."

FPAC member companies are committed to the five principles of sustainability in the way they manage their forests - harvest legally, regenerate promptly, reduce waste and promote recovery and recycling, reduce green house gas emissions, and welcome independent scrutiny.

For further information:

Contact:
Susan Murray
Executive Director, Public Relations
Forest Products Association of Canada
Association des produits forestiers du Canada
[email protected]
613-563-1441 x313