Sask. government approves wood supply for sawmills in Carrot River, Big River
The Government of Saskatchewan has approved timber allocations for the Dunkley Lumber sawmill in Carrot River and the Carrier Forest Products sawmill in Big River.
Earlier this week, the province also announced timber allocations for an OSB plant and pulp mill, both in the Prince Albert area.
"It's been a great week for the forestry sector in our province," Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre said.
"Dunkley's Carrot River mill expansion will lead to significant growth in lumber sales and exports.”
The allocation will support a proposed $100 million expansion of the Carrot River mill.
This will allow the mill to increase production by 75 percent, from 130 million board feet annually to 230 million board feet. With the expansion, the Carrot River mill will have the capacity to process 821,000 cubic meters of softwood timber per year.
"The sawmill will add a second saw line and increase production over five phases of development by the fall of 2023,” said Dunkley Lumber president Rob Novak.
The province estimates the enlargement of the Carrot River mill will create 240 new direct and indirect jobs in northeastern Saskatchewan.
The province also announced an addition to the timber allocation for the Carrier Forest Products sawmill in Big River to produce lumber.
"The increased allocation is the critical piece for us to reach full capacity," Carrier Forest Products President Bill Kordyban said.
The Big River sawmill is the largest of three sawmills in Saskatchewan.
While the province is allocating more timber required for the Big River sawmill project, the majority of timber will be bought by the company from private loggers who have agreements negotiated with Indigenous timber allocation holders and private landowners.
The Ministry of Energy and Resources said a surge in the global market for home construction and renovation materials has increased demand for lumber, oriented strand board and treated wood products.
In 2020, the province recorded a 30 per cent increase in forestry product sales over the previous year, with over $1.1 billion worth of forest products sold.
The government’s growth mandate plans to double the forestry industry by 2030.
The Government of Saskatchewan allocates timber through the Ministry of Energy and Resources under The Forest Resources Management Act.
Do you have a story idea or news tip? Email us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
What new auto insurance reforms will mean for Ontarians, if they get introduced
Ontario has among the highest rates for auto insurance premiums in Canada -- just below Alberta and Nova Scotia -- however, the introduction of an insurance reform in the provincial budget could soon lower prices.