Navigating Hope & Uncertainty

Written By Marlie Knowlton

In this episode of Forestry Uncut, host Todd Burgess (Executive Director, Forest Nova Scotia) sits down with Kevin Merriam, Executive Director of the Maritime Lumber Bureau, and Patrick Crabbe, CEO of The Mass Timber Company.

They explore how Atlantic Canada’s forestry sector can move “from tree to city” through mass timber, panelized and modular construction, and other value‑added wood products.

The conversation covers:

  • The current challenges in the sawmilling sector, including U.S. tariffs and duties

  • How mass timber and prefabricated wood systems can help address the housing crisis

  • Why Atlantic Canada’s spruce‑pine‑fir lumber is stronger than previously published values

  • The role of government policy (like Nova Scotia’s wood‑first policy) in growing domestic wood construction

  • Success stories from companies like East Cut, Dora Construction/MacLellan Group, and others innovating with wood

If you’re a forestry professional, developer, architect, engineer, policymaker, or landowner wondering how wood can play a bigger role in housing and infrastructure, this episode is for you.

Host:

  • Todd Burgess: Forest Nova Scotia Executive Director

Guests:  

  • Kevin Merriam: Executive Director of the Maritime Lumber Bureau

  • Patrick Crabbe: CEO of The Mass Timber Company.

 

Forestry Uncut is produced by Podstarter. www.podstarter.io

Marlie Knowlton
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Forestry’s Future: Collaboration & Growth