As the ice begins to break on Lesser Slave Lake and the long winter finally loosens its grip, something shifts — not just in the landscape, but in the rhythm of life and work in northern Alberta. The days stretch longer, temperatures rise, and the snow retreats to the shadows. Animals stir from hibernation, and the forests — our forests — wake up.
At Vanderwell, spring isn’t just a change in season. It marks a turning point. The trees we harvested during winter begin their journey through our mill, transformed into products that will help build homes and communities across North America and other parts of the world. And in late May into June, we begin a major tree planting program. For every tree harvested, three are planted in its place. It’s a time of movement, of growth, of renewal.
But while spring reminds us that nature always finds a way forward, it also mirrors the resilience of Alberta’s lumber industry—a sector that continues to adapt, endure, and thrive despite challenges like the U.S. trade dispute.
Facing Trade Headwinds with Strength
Though recent tariffs haven’t directly impacted Canadian lumber just yet, the U.S. is conducting its sixth annual administrative review of softwood lumber duties, and it is expected in late summer or early fall that they will take effect.
These duties — calculated based on lumber prices from three years prior — are set to rise from about 14% to 27% – 34%, a result of the sky-high prices during the early pandemic period. That’s not a small hit.
But this industry, especially here in Alberta, has never been one to flinch in the face of a challenge. We’ve seen booms and busts. We’ve weathered fires, floods, economic downturns, and shifting policy landscapes.
And yet, we stand tall — rooted in tradition, backed by innovation, and driven by the belief that forestry is not only a business, but a long-term commitment to our land, our people, and our future.
A Sustainable Industry for Today and Tomorrow
Forests cover over 60% of Alberta and about 40% of Canada. They are part of our identity—providing shelter, fuel, protection, and now, prosperity. In Alberta alone, the forest industry:
- Supports 30,500 jobs
- Generates $2.8 billion in income
- Sustains 70+ communities
Nationwide, we’re talking about 212,000 direct jobs and 300+ communities that rely on the forest sector. In 2022, our industry contributed nearly $40 billion to the Canadian economy—with $14.1 billion of that from Alberta alone.
And even beyond jobs and economic stats, our contributions are tangible. Through provincial taxes and royalties, Alberta’s forest industry gave over $803 million to the provincial government—plus more than $150 million in dues and levies to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta.
Planting for the Future
Of course, success isn’t just measured in numbers. It’s also measured in regeneration, responsibility, and long-term stewardship.
Every year, Alberta’s forest companies plant and grow three times as many trees as they harvest. In 2024 alone, over 100 million trees were planted. Vanderwell proudly did its part, planting 3.8 million seedlings—each one a promise to the future.
Our commitment to sustainability is more than words. In 2018, the Alberta Government approved Vanderwell’s Forest Management Plan — a cornerstone of our Forest Management Agreement (FMA) for the Slave Lake region, developed jointly with West Fraser and Tolko.
This plan not only guides how we harvest and regenerate for the next 10 years, but it also ensures that our practices will sustain healthy forests for the next 200 years.
That means ensuring the same species we see today—white spruce, aspen, pine—are still here for generations to come. It means preserving habitat for wildlife, from pine martens and grizzly bears to songbirds. It means doing the work now, so that our forests—and the communities that rely on them—continue to thrive.
Looking Ahead
Spring reminds us that even after the hardest winters, life pushes forward. And so do we. Yes, trade tensions will bring challenges.
But in Alberta, we meet them with grit, knowledge, and care for the land that gives us so much. Our forests are strong, our people are stronger, and our future—like the first green shoots of the season—is full of promise.
Enjoy Spring 2025!
