Ottawa, ON – For just the second time in history, a forestry company has become a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB). Thanks in part to a strategic partnership formed between the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, Inc. (SFI) and CCAB. As Western Canada’s largest private timber and land management company, TimberWest is proud to continue its commitment to forming valuable partnerships with Aboriginal business and communities.
“Through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), SFI has leveraged CCAB’s Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) verification program to help interested SFI Program Participants to raise the bar in their strategic relationships with Aboriginal communities,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. “Both SFI and CCAB are committed to sustainable forestry and Aboriginal involvement in the forestry sector.”
“Progressive companies such as TimberWest clearly see the opportunity and understanding that comes from partnerships with organizations such as the CCAB. We are proud to welcome an important forestry player in B.C. to our membership,” said JP Gladu, President and Chief Executive Officer of CCAB. “We look forward totheir continued leadership working with Aboriginal business and communities toward improvement in sustainable forestry that supports building a healthy and prosperous future for our people.”
“This MOU provides us with a fantastic opportunity to work together with the CCAB to offer a brighter future for Aboriginal communities,” said Brian Frank, President and Chief Executive Officer of TimberWest. “With the rapidly growing Aboriginal workforce in B.C., we look forward to strong business opportunities and sustainable relationships with the Aboriginal community.”
TimberWest recently celebrated its 20th year in sustainable forest land management. TimberWest owns approximately 325,400 hectares of private managed forest land on Vancouver Island and is committed to Vancouver Island communities.
ABOUT SFI
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) advances sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. We are an independent, nonprofit organization that leverages four interconnected pillars of work: standards, conservation, community, and education. SFI works with the forest sector, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments. Collaborating with our network, we leverage SFI-certified forests and products as powerful tools to help solve sustainability challenges such as climate action, conservation of biodiversity, education of future generations, and sustainable economic development.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Leduc
VP, Communications and Government Relations
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
613-706-1114
media@forests.org
About CCAB
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) was founded in 1984 by a small group of visionary business and community leaders led by Murray Koffler. CCAB is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canada’s economy. A national non-profit organization, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both mainstream and Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada. Learn more at ccab.com.
Media Contact
Chris Allicock
Amberlight Productions Inc.
416-694-3131
chris@amberlight.ca
