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Hardwoods Distribution

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FY2006 Annual Report · Hardwoods Distribution
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Taking 
the
RIGHT
Steps

Hardwoods Distribution 
Income Fund

2006
Annual Report
to Unitholders

About the Business
Hardwoods has been providing quality lumber,
hardwood plywood and specialty products to
customers for over 45 years.

Today, we are one of the largest distributors of
hardwood lumber and sheet goods in North
America, operating a network of 36 distribution
centres organized into nine regional clusters.

About the Fund
Hardwoods Distribution Income Fund is an
unincorporated, open-ended, limited purpose
trust.

The Fund was launched on March 23, 2004 
with the completion of an initial public offering
(IPO) of 14.4 million trust units at $10 per unit.
Net proceeds of the IPO were used to acquire an
80% interest in the hardwood lumber and sheet
goods distribution business (“Hardwoods” or
the “Business”) from the previous owners.

Hardwoods Distribution Income Fund units
trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the
symbol HWD.UN.

The Fund’s performance depends on the
performance of the Business.

C

A

N

A

D

A

U N I T E D

S T A T E S

Regional Distribution Hub

Distribution Facilities

Contents:  Report to Unitholders  -  01   |   Management’s Discussion and Analysis  -  03   |   Consolidated Financial Statements  -  20 

Notes to the Statements  -  24   |   The Beauty of Hardwood  -  32   |   Unitholder Information  -  back cover

To Our Unitholders:

2006 was a year of taking the right steps in
response to a number of business issues.

We came into the year having successfully completed
much-needed investments in our distribution network.
From  adding  new  employees  to  opening  two  new
branches  and  expanding  others, we  had  built  growth
capacity into our business.While these steps were essential
to support our future growth, they were completed just as
market conditions became much more challenging.

According  to  the  US  Department  of Commerce,
housing starts in the United States fell by 12.9% in 2006
compared  to  2005. The  Canadian  housing  market
performed better, but by year-end, it too showed signs of a
slowdown. Simultaneously, we experienced a 10% decline
in  prices  for  many  of our  hardwood  lumber  species.
In addition, the Canadian dollar, which has a significant
impact on our business, climbed to a 28-year high.

These issues, combined with our own rising costs, put
significant pressure on our ability to sustain profits and
distributable cash in the first half of the year. This, in turn,
contributed to a rising payout ratio and higher debt levels.
We needed to take action, but we were mindful that it
could  not  come  at  the  expense  of sales  growth  if we
wanted to achieve longer-term success.

Our  Trustees  made  the  difficult  decision  to  reduce
monthly cash distributions to our public unitholders and
to  suspend  distributions  to  our  Class  B  unitholders.

Internally, we increased our emphasis on cost control and
on disciplined selling, and we took decisive action on our
distribution  network. We  closed  underperforming
distribution centres in Albuquerque, Regina and Windsor,
while expanding in markets that show long-term promise,
including Southern California, where we expanded a hub
facility by 50%. We also continued to build our import
product  program, sourcing  and  introducing  new
products, appointing a full time representative in China
and ultimately doubling our import volume during the
year.

The  results  were  encouraging. Despite  the  dramatic
decline in US housing starts, our underlying sales grew by
6.7% in 2006, before considering the impact of changes in
foreign  exchange  rates. Performance  from  our  US
operations was especially strong with sales in US dollars
increasing  by  11.7%, compared  to  2005. These  gains
reflect  the  steps  taken  to  promote  growth, as  well  the
market diversity of our business.We were also successful in
halting the cost creep in our business, bringing selling and
administrative expenses under control in the second half
of the year.

I am pleased to report that we ended the year with a
payout ratio of 79% – a more prudent result in the current
market environment than the 91% payout ratio we were
tracking  midway  through  2006. We  also  succeeded  in
strengthening  our  balance  sheet. By  year-end  we  had

01

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

lowered  our  debt-to-EBITDA  ratio  to  1.77  times  and
extended  our  Canadian  and  US  credit  facilities  for  an
additional three years on more favourable terms.

We are pleased with this progress, but recognize that our
work is not done. While our gross margins improved in
the second half of 2006, our full-year gross margin average
of 18.2% was below the 18.7% achieved in 2005. One of
our  key  priorities  in  2007  will  be  to  return  our  gross
margins to our target range of 18.5% or better.

We are also focused on continuing to grow our sales.
Although the residential construction market has entered
a weaker cycle, Hardwoods benefits from strong product,
market  and  geographic  diversification, and  we  see
opportunities  to  continue  expanding  and  diversifying
our business.

Ultimately, we  view  our  network  of 36  distribution
facilities as an adaptable “pipeline”for moving products –
one  that  comes  equipped  with  established  logistical
capabilities, and a large and proven sales force. During
2006, we demonstrated that we can use this pipeline to
benefit  from  trends  like  the  increasing  importance  of
China in the supply chain. We will continue to seek out
new opportunities that meet our objectives of profitably
growing our business as we work to meet the needs of
our customers.

Overall, we anticipate flat to moderate sales growth in
2007, which together with discipline on the gross profit
margin  and  cost  front, should  enable  us  to  generate
increased distributable cash.

As  we  move  forward, we  are  closely  monitoring  the
federal government’s proposed changes to income trust
taxation, which could come into effect for existing funds
like ours beginning in 2011. As 70% of our business is
based  in  the  US  and  already  taxed  under  US  laws, we
believe  the  impact  may  be  less  on  our  Fund  than  on
income trusts with operations based primarily in Canada.
We  will  continue  to  monitor  this  proposal  and  take
appropriate action as required.

At the close of a challenging year, I want to thank our
employees for the hard work that went into improving our
business  in  2006, and  acknowledge  the  support  and
guidance  of our  directors  and  trustees  as  we  took
important strategic steps. Most of all I thank you, our
investors, for your continued confidence in Hardwoods.
We  see  a  brighter  future  ahead  for  Hardwoods, and  I 
look forward to reporting to you on our progress in 2007.

Maurice E. Paquette 
President and Chief Executive Officer

02

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

Management’s Discussion
and Analysis 

March 12, 2007

03

This MD&A may contain forward-looking statements.
Such  statements  involve  known  and  unknown  risks,
uncertainties and other factors outside of our control that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in the forward-looking statements. Hardwoods
Distribution Income Fund does not assume responsibility
for the accuracy or completeness of the forward-looking
statements  and  does  not  undertake  any  obligation  to
publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect
subsequent events or circumstances.

References to “EBITDA”are to earnings before interest,
income taxes, depreciation and amortization, mark-to-
market  adjustments  on  foreign  currency  contracts,
goodwill and other intangible assets impairments, and the
non-controlling interest in earnings. We believe that, in
addition  to  net  income  or  loss, EBITDA  is  a  useful
supplemental measure of performance and cash available
for distribution prior to debt service, changes in working
capital, capital expenditures and income taxes.

EBITDA  is  not  an  earnings  measure  recognized  by
generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in  Canada
(“GAAP”)  and  does  not  have  a  standardized  meaning
prescribed by GAAP. Investors are cautioned that EBITDA
should not replace net income or loss (as determined in
accordance  with  GAAP)  as  an  indicator  of our
performance, or to cash flows from operating, investing
and financing activities or as a measure of our liquidity
and cash flows. Our method of calculating EBITDA may

This  management’s  discussion  and  analysis  (“MD&A”)
should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated
financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes  (“Audited
Financial Statements”) of Hardwoods Distribution Income
Fund  for  the  years  ended  December  31, 2006  and  2005.
Results are reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise
stated, and have been prepared in accordance with Canadian
generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

This MD&A includes the following sections:
1.0  Background

1.1 About the Fund
1.2 About Our Business and Industry

2.0  Overview and Outlook
3.0 Results of Operations

3.1 Years Ended December 31, 2006 and

December 31, 2005

3.2 Three Month Periods Ended  

December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

4.0 Liquidity and Capital Resources

4.1 Distributable Cash and Cash Distributions
4.2  Capital Expenditures
4.3 Utilization of Distributable Cash
4.4 Revolving Credit Facilities
4.5 Contractual Obligations
4.6 Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

5.0 Financial Instruments
6.0 Related Party Transactions
7.0 Critical Accounting Estimates and
New Accounting Standards
7.1 Critical Accounting Estimates
7.2 New Accounting Standards

8.0 Risks and Uncertainties
9.0 Disclosure Controls and Procedures and 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

10.0 Selected Financial Information

10.1 Quarterly Financial Information
10.2 Annual Financial Information

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

differ from the methods used by other issuers. Therefore,
our EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other issuers. For a reconciliation between
EBITDA  and  net  income  or  loss  as  determined  in
accordance  with  GAAP, please  refer  to  the  discussion 
of Results  of Operations  described  in  section  3.0  of
this report.

Distributable Cash of the Fund is a non-GAAP measure
generally used by Canadian open-ended income funds as
an  indicator  of
financial  performance. We  define
Distributable Cash as net earnings before depreciation,
amortization, future  income  taxes, non-controlling
interest, gains or losses on the sale of property, plant and
equipment, mark-to-market  adjustments  on  foreign
currency  contracts, and  goodwill  and  other  intangible
assets  impairments, and  after  capital  expenditures  and
contributions to any reserves that the Board of Trustees
deem to be reasonable and necessary for the operation of
the Fund.

Our  Distributable  Cash  may  differ  from  similar
computations as reported by other similar entities and,
accordingly, may not be comparable to distributable cash
as reported by such entities. We believe that Distributable
Cash  is  a  useful  supplemental  measure  that  may  assist
investors and prospective investors in assessing the return
on their investment in Class A Units. For a reconciliation
between  Distributable  Cash  and  net  cash  provided  by
operating  activities  as  determined  in  accordance  with
GAAP, please  refer  to  the  discussion  of Distributable 
Cash and Cash Distributions described in section 4.1 of
this report.

Additional information related to the Fund, including
all public filings, are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com)
and our website (www.hardwoods-inc.com).

04

1.0  BACKGROUND
1.1  About the Fund
The Fund is an unincorporated open-ended, limited
purpose trust formed under the laws of the Province of
British Columbia by a declaration of trust dated January
30, 2004. The Fund was launched on March 23, 2004 with
the completion of an initial public offering (“IPO”) of
14,410,000 trust Voting Units (“Class A Units”). Net IPO
proceeds of $133.5 million, together with drawings on
credit facilities totalling $31.6 million, were used to acquire
an 80% interest in the hardwood lumber and sheet goods
distribution business (“Hardwoods” or the “Business”)
from the previous owners.

The owners of the predecessor companies have retained
a 20% interest in the Business in the form of Special Voting
Units of the Fund and Class B Limited Partnership units of
the Fund’s operating subsidiaries (“Class B Units”), which
together are exchangeable into Class A Units provided that
the Fund achieves certain objectives. Distributions by the
Fund’s operating subsidiaries to the previous owners are
subject  to  subordination  arrangements  until  certain
financial  tests  established  at  the  time  of the  IPO  and
described in the Audited Financial Statements are met.
As at December 31, 2006, the following units of the Fund
were issued and outstanding:

Units
Special Voting Units

14,410,000
3,602,500

Hardwoods Distribution Income Fund units trade on
the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol HWD.UN.
The Fund’s performance depends on the performance of
the Business.

1.2 About our Business and Industry
Hardwoods  is  one  of North  America’s  largest
distributors of high-grade hardwood lumber and specialty
sheet goods to the cabinet, moulding, millwork, furniture
and specialty wood products industries. At December 31,
2006 we operated 36 distribution facilities organized into
nine  geographic  regions  throughout  North  America.
In  a  highly  fragmented  but  stable  industry, we  match
products supplied from hundreds of mills to over 2,500
manufacturing customers.

Approximately 55% of our product mix is made up of
high-grade hardwood lumber. The balance is made up of
sheet goods, consisting primarily of hardwood plywood,

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

2.0  OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK
2006 brought mixed market conditions with a steep
12.9%  decline  in  US  housing  starts  contrasting  with
continuing strength in Canadian residential construction
markets, and  robust  North  American  renovation  and
commercial construction markets. Product prices were
generally lower than in 2005, with approximately half of
our  hardwood  lumber  products  experiencing  a  10%
decline in pricing.

Despite the more challenging market conditions, our
2006  sales  increased  by  6.7%, before  considering  the
impact of changes in foreign exchange rates. The gains
were led by our operations in the US which posted an
11.7%  year-over-year  increase  in  US  dollar  sales.
This  improvement  reflects  our  diversification  across
multiple  product  and  market  segments, as  well  as  the
success  of several  strategic  initiatives. In  particular, we
benefited from the addition of new import products to
our product mix, the ramp up of our two new branches in
Minneapolis  and  Illinois, and  increased  investment  in
personnel and working capital.

Strategically, we took decisive action to control costs,
lower our payout ratio and reduce debt in 2006. Although
sales and administrative (“S&A”) expenses were higher
year-over-year, we were successful in stabilizing costs in the
second half of 2006. This was achieved through better cost
control  and  changes  to  our  distribution  network.
We  closed  branches  with  limited  growth  prospects  in
Albuquerque, New  Mexico  and  Regina, Saskatchewan.
We also closed our Windsor, Ontario branch in the fourth
quarter due to weakness in Southern Ontario’s economy.

05

and including non-structural sheet goods such as medium
density fiberboard, particleboard and melamine-coated
stock. Our sheet goods are a key complementary product
line as they are used by many purchasers of hardwood
lumber in the manufacture of their end products.

Our customer base manufactures a range of end-use
products, such  as  cabinetry, furniture  and  custom
millwork. These products in turn are sold into multiple
sectors of the economy, including new home construction,
renovation, non-residential construction and institutional
markets. As  a  result  of this  diversity, it  is  difficult  to
determine with certainty what proportion of our products
ends up in each sector of the economy. We estimate that
approximately 40% to 50% of our products end up in new
residential  construction,
in  the  form  of cabinets,
mouldings, custom  finishing  and  home  furniture.
We believe the balance of our products end up in other
sectors of the economy not associated with new residential
construction, such  as  home  renovations, finishing
millwork for office buildings, restaurant and bar interiors,
hotel lobbies, retail point-of-purchase displays, schools,
hospitals, custom  motor  coaches, yacht  interiors  and
other specialty areas.

the  hardwood 

Approximately  95%  of

lumber
distributed  in  North America  is  harvested  from  North
American  hardwood  forests, located  principally  in  the
Eastern  United  States. Imported  hardwood  lumber  is
largely limited to specialty species that generally do not
compete with domestic hardwood lumber. Sheet goods
are  generally  produced  in  North  America  by  large
manufacturers  using  domestic  hardwoods  and  other
materials, although imported hardwood plywood volumes
have  been  increasing. Both  domestic  and  imported
hardwood lumber and plywood are distributed principally
by third parties such as us. Historically, balanced supply
and demand conditions have resulted in a stable pricing
environment  for  hardwood  lumber  and  hardwood
plywood. Prices have generally kept pace with inflation
over the long term.

The  hardwood  distribution  industry  is  highly
fragmented. While  there  are  a  number  of hardwood
distributors that operate from multiple locations, most are
small, privately  held  companies  serving  discrete  local
markets.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

Concurrently, we expanded in markets that offer long-
term  promise, such  as  Southern  California, where  we
increased  space  at  our  hub  facility  by  50%. Although
branch changes were a factor in a 3.8% year-over-year
reduction in Canadian sales, we believe our distribution
network is now more closely matched to the sales potential
in each geographic region.

The  Board’s  decision  to 

lower  monthly  cash
distributions helped us achieve a payout ratio of 79% for
the year ended December 31, 2006. In the current market
environment, this was more prudent than the 91% ratio
we were tracking midway through the year. The reduction
in  distributions, together  with  better  working  capital
management, resulted  in  a  reduction  of our  debt-to-
EBITDA ratio to a more conservative 1.77 times by the end
of the year. We also extended our Canadian and US credit
facilities for an additional three years on more favourable
terms .

We are pleased with this progress, but recognize that
there is more work to be done. Our gross margin dipped to
18.2% in 2006, from 18.7% in 2005.A key priority for us in
2007 will be to return gross margins to our target level of
18.5%  or  better. One  of the  ways  we  are  working  to
achieve this objective is through continued development
of our import product program. We more than doubled
our import volume from China in 2006, and we expect to
continue  to  fill  our  product  pipeline  with  offshore
products that offer cost benefits and other competitive
advantages. We are also maintaining our focus on strict
selling discipline, and careful management of inventory
and working capital.

Although US housing starts are not expected to recover
in the near term and the Canadian Housing and Mortgage
Corporation forecasts a 7.4% decline in Canadian housing
starts  in  2007, we  expect  that  sales  will  continue  to  be
supported by our product, end-market and geographic
diversification. Looking  ahead, we  anticipate  flat  to
moderate  sales  growth  and  that  this, combined  with
discipline  on  the  gross  profit  margin  and  cost  front,
will result in an increase in the Fund’s distributable cash 
in 2007.

We continue to monitor and assess the impact of the
federal government’s proposed taxation of income trusts.
If passed into law, these changes will begin to affect our
Fund in 2011. Overall, we anticipate that the proposed
trust tax may have substantially less impact on our Fund
than on other trusts that operate principally or exclusively
in  Canada. Approximately  70%  of our  business  is
conducted in the United States and is already subject to US
taxation.We believe that we may be able to re-organize our
business structure prior to 2011 such that our US source
income will not be exposed to additional taxes associated
with the proposed new Canadian trust tax. The remaining
30% of our earnings that are generated in Canada would
be subject to tax at a rate of 31.5%. The proposed tax has
not yet been finalized and passed into law, and accordingly
all assessments are preliminary and are subject to change.

We continue to maintain an active hedging program to
mitigate  the  potential  impact  of foreign  exchange
fluctuations  on  Canadian  dollar  distributions  by  the
Fund. Foreign  exchange  fluctuations  could  negatively
affect the Fund in 2007, although in recent months, we
have benefited from a weakening Canadian dollar.

06

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

3.0 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
3.1 Year Ended December 31, 2006 

and December 31, 2005

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Total sales

Sales in the US (US$)
Sales in Canada

Gross profit

Gross profit %

Selling and administrative expenses
Realized gain on foreign currency contracts

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and 
amortization and non-controlling interest (“EBITDA”)

Add (deduct):

Amortization
Interest
Mark-to-market adjustment on foreign
currency contracts
Intangibles impairment
Goodwill impairment
Non-controlling interest
Income taxes

Net earnings for the period

Basic and fully diluted earnings per Class A Unit
Average Canadian dollar/US dollar exchange rate

Year ended
December 31
2006 

$ 362,528
223,509
109,024
66,042
18.2%
45,559
(1,338)

Year ended
December 31
2005

$ 355,775
200,079
113,359
66,387
18.7%
43,480
(677)

$

21,821

$

23,584

07

(2,100)
(3,127)

(1,280)
(326)
(7,566)
(1,484)
(2,301)

3,637

0.252
1.1342

$

$

(2,181)
(2,114)

142
–
–
(3,886)
(2,194)

13,351

0.927
1.2116

$

$

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

08

personnel costs was driven by competitive wage pressures,
as well as higher costs associated with delivery of our U.S.
medical plan to employees. Increased bad debt expense
reflected higher sales activity in 2006, as well as a return to
more  typical  level  of bad  debt  activity  (approximately
0.6%  of sales)  following  2005’s  favourable  collection
trend. The  third  major  area  of cost  increase, premises
expense, primarily reflects rent increases in the ordinary
course  of business  at  our  leased  facility  locations, and
higher rent from expansion of our Riverside, California
hub facility.

The  benefit  of a  stronger  Canadian  dollar  on  the
conversion of S&A expenses at our US operations partially
offset these increases, reducing costs by $2.3 million in
2006. As a percentage of sales, 2006 S&A expenses in 2006
were 12.6%, compared to 12.2% in 2005.

Realized Gain on Foreign Currency Contracts
The  Fund  realized  gains  of $1.3  million  on  foreign
currency contracts which matured in 2006, compared to
$0.7 million in 2005. This improvement was driven by the
strengthening of the Canadian dollar in 2006. The terms 
of our foreign currency contracts and the Fund’s use of
currency  derivatives  to  mitigate  the  economic  impact 
of fluctuations between the Canadian and US dollar are
described under Financial Instruments in section 5.0 of
this report.
EBITDA
Full-year  EBITDA  was  $21.8  million, compared  to
$23.6  million  in  2005. The  $1.8  million  decrease  in
EBITDA was due to the $0.4 million decrease in gross
profit and the $2.1 million increase in S&A, partly offset by
a  $0.7  million  increase  in  realized  gains  on  foreign
currency contracts.

Interest Expense
Interest  expense  in  2006  was  $3.1  million, up 
$1.0 million from $2.1 million in 2005. The increase in
interest expense reflects higher average advances under
operating lines of credit available to subsidiaries of the
Fund, as  well  as  increases  in  market  borrowing  rates.
Further discussion of our borrowing arrangements can be
found  under  Revolving  Credit  Facilities  in  section  4.4 
of this report.

Sales
Sales  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 2006  were 
$362.5  million, up  1.9%  from  $355.8  million  in  2005.
During  2006,
the  Canadian  dollar  continued  to
strengthen, with  the  average  exchange  rate  up  6.4%
compared  to  2005. Had  exchange  rates  remained
consistent with 2005 levels, our reported revenue for 2006
would have been $17.3 million higher, at $379.8 million.

Sales in the United States, as measured in U.S. dollars,
increased by 11.7% in 2006. This was achieved despite the
slowdown  in  the  residential  construction  market.
The higher sales pace in the U.S. reflects the continued
positive impact of adding import products into our sales
mix, increased sales from the two new branches opened
late in 2005 in Minneapolis and Illinois, and general sales
growth at our branch locations. All five of our operating
regions in the U.S. either maintained or increased sales 
in 2006.

Sales  from  our  Canadian  business, as  measured  in
Canadian  dollars, declined  by  3.8%  year-over-year.
This was largely due to the negative impact of a stronger
Canadian  dollar  and  weaker  demand  at  our  Windsor
branch. A stronger Canadian dollar affects our Canadian
business on two fronts. First, a stronger Canadian dollar
reduces the purchase price we pay for products sourced
from mills in the United States. When these products are
resold to our Canadian customers, it is also at a lower
Canadian dollar equivalent selling price, which effectively
reduces  our  revenues  in  Canada. Second, a  stronger
Canadian  dollar  can  affect  the  competitiveness  of our
Canadian customers who sell their products to customers
in the US.

Gross Profit
For the year ended December 31, 2006, we reported
gross profit of $66.0 million, compared to $66.4 million in
2005. Our  gross  profit  percentage  decreased  to  18.2% 
in  2006, compared  to  18.7%  in  2005, resulting  in  the 
$0.4 million reduction in gross profit. Restoring our gross
profit percentage to our target rate of 18.5% or better in
2007 is a key priority.

Selling and Administrative Expenses
S&A  expenses  were  $45.6  million  in  2006, up 
$2.1 million or 4.8% from $43.5 million in 2005. The three
most significant areas of higher costs in 2006 related to
personnel, bad debt, and premises expense. The increase in

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

discussion  of how  we  anticipate  the  Canadian
government’s proposed tax will impact upon the Fund.
No  impairment  was  identified  in  relation  to  our 
US operations.

Income Taxes
Income  tax  expense  for  2006  was  $2.3  million,
compared to $2.2 million in 2005. Although earnings for
tax purposes were lower in 2006 than in 2005, income
taxes rose $0.1 million due to an increase in estimated
taxable income allocated to the Fund for 2006 by its US
operating  subsidiary. Although  the  Fund  has  an  80%
indirect interest in its US operating subsidiary, in 2006 it
was  allocated  100%  of the  US  operating  subsidiaries’
taxable income, reflecting the fact that no distributions
were paid on the Class B Units for the year. Subordination
of the  Class  B  Units  is  described  in  section  4.1  of this
report.

Net Earnings 
Net  earnings  of $3.6  million  in  2006  declined  by 
$9.7 million from $13.4 million in 2005. The decrease in
net earnings primarily reflects the $1.8 million decrease 
in EBITDA, the $1.0 million increase in interest expense,
the $1.4 million negative mark-to-market adjustment on
foreign currency contracts, the $7.9 million impairment in
goodwill and other intangible assets, and the $0.1 million
increase in income taxes. This was partially offset by a 
$2.4 million reduction in non-controlling interest as the
result of lower earnings in 2006.

09

Mark-To-Market Adjustment on 
Foreign Currency Contracts
For  the  12  months  ended  December  31, 2006, the
mark-to-market  valuation  of our  outstanding  foreign
currency contracts created a loss of $1.3 million, compared
to a gain of $0.1 million in the same period in 2005. As of
December 31, 2006, the combined value of our foreign
currency contracts continued to provide a net asset to the
Fund with a fair value of $1.4 million. We continue to
monitor our foreign currency contract policy to mitigate
the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on Canadian
dollar  distributions  generated  by  our  U.S. operations.
Further discussion of our foreign currency contracts can
be found under Financial Instruments in section 5.0 of
this report.

Goodwill and Intangibles Impairment 
Under Canadian GAAP, goodwill and intangible assets
are subject to an annual impairment test. When the Fund
acquired  its  80%  indirect  interest  in  Hardwoods,
$104.6 million was assigned as goodwill and $15.0 million
as  intangible  assets. In  the  fourth  quarter  of 2006, the 
Fund  completed  its  annual  impairment  test  and
determined that the carrying value of goodwill exceeded
the  fair  value  of goodwill  by  $7.6  million, while  the
carrying value of other intangibles exceeded the fair value
of other intangibles by $0.3 million. Consistent with our
accounting  policies, the  excess  of carrying  value  over 
fair value was charged to income in the fourth quarter
when  the  impairment  was  identified. The  $7.9  million
total  impairment  represents  a  non-cash  charge, and
consequently has no impact upon the Fund’s distributable
cash. The write-down of goodwill and intangibles relates
solely to Hardwoods’Canadian operations.Approximately
two-thirds  of the  $7.9  million  in  impairment  charges
reflects the anticipated reduction to cash flows resulting
from the federal government’s intention to tax Canadian
income  trusts  commencing  in  2011. The  remainder
reflects our outlook for lower than previously anticipated
Canadian  revenue  and  cash  flows. The  Overview  and
Outlook  section  2.0  of this  report  provides  further

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

3.2 Three Months ended 

December 31, 2006 and 
December 31, 2005

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Total sales

Sales in the US (US$)
Sales in Canada

Gross profit

Gross profit %

Selling and administrative expenses
Realized gain on foreign currency contracts

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and 
amortization and non-controlling interest (“EBITDA”)

10

Add (deduct):

Amortization
Interest
Mark-to-market adjustment on foreign
currency contracts
Intangibles impairment
Goodwill impairment
Non-controlling interest
Income taxes

Net earnings for the period

Basic and fully diluted earnings per Class A Unit
Average Canadian dollar/US dollar exchange rate

3 months ended
December 31
2006 

3 months ended
December 31
2005

$

83,120
51,502
24,466
15,116
18.2%
11,354
(326)

$

84,130
49,150
26,420
15,456
18.4%
11,009
(259)

$

4,088

$

4,706

(527)
(664)

(1,212)
(326)
(7,566)
(1,242)
139

(4,826)

(0.335)
1.1384

$

$

(524)
(595)

(399)
–
–
(637)
(181)

$

$

2,370

0.164
1.1732

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

Mark-To-Market Adjustment on Foreign
Currency Contracts
For the three months ended December 31, 2006, the
mark-to-market  valuation  of our  outstanding  foreign
currency contracts created a loss of $1.2 million, compared
to  a  loss  of $0.4  million  in  the  same  period  in  2005.
Further  discussion  of our  foreign  currency  contracts 
can be found under Financial Instruments in section 5.0 
of this report.

Goodwill and Intangibles Impairment 
As described previously in section 3.1 of this report, in
the fourth quarter of 2006 the Fund completed its annual
impairment test. This test determined that the carrying
value of goodwill exceeded the fair value of goodwill by
$7.6 million, while the carrying value of other intangibles
exceeded the fair value of other intangibles by $0.3 million.

Net Earnings (Loss)
Net loss for the three-months ended December 31, 2006
was $4.8 million, compared to net earnings of $2.4 million
in  the  comparative  period  in  2005. The  $7.2  million
decrease in net earnings primarily reflects the $0.6 million
decrease in EBITDA, the $0.8 million increase in mark-to-
market adjustment losses on foreign currency contracts,
and the $7.9 million goodwill and other intangible assets
impairment. These  reductions  to  net  earnings  were
partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in income taxes
and a $1.9 million reduction in non-controlling interest as
a result of lower profits in the quarter.

11

Sales
For  the  three  months  ended  December  31, 2006,
we  reported  sales  of $83.1  million, down  1.2%  from 
$84.1 million in 2005. Underlying sales activity remained
solid at our US operations, with sales as measured in US
dollars, up 4.8% in the quarter. This was achieved despite
multi-day, weather-related  closures  at  some  customer
locations and at some Hardwoods branches in the Pacific
Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. Sales in Canada,
as measured in Canadian dollars, were down 7.4% in the
fourth  quarter, primarily  reflecting  reduced  sales
contribution from the closed Windsor branch, as well as
the negative impact of a stronger Canadian dollar.

Gross Profit
Gross profit for the three months ended December 31,
2006 was $15.1 million, a decrease of $0.4 million or 2.2%,
from the $15.5 million reported in 2005. The change in
gross  profit  reflects  the  1.2%  decrease  in  sales, and  a
reduced gross profit percentage of 18.2%, compared to
18.4% during the fourth quarter of 2005. Some quarter-
to-quarter  variation  in  our  gross  profit  percentage  is
considered  normal  for  the  business, with  18%  to  19%
representing a typical range. Over the longer term, gross
profits are targeted to achieve 18.5% of sales or higher.

Selling and Administrative Expenses
S&A expenses increased $0.3 million to $11.4 million in
the fourth quarter of 2006, from $11.0 million during the
same period in 2005. This increase reflects higher rent
expense, partially  offset  by  the  benefits  of the  stronger
Canadian dollar on the conversion of S&A expenses at our
US operations.
EBITDA
EBITDA decreased to $4.1 million in the fourth quarter
of 2005, down $0.6 million from $4.7 million in 2005.
The decrease in EBITDA primarily reflects a $0.4 million
decrease  in  gross  profit  combined  with  a  $0.3  million
increase in S&A expenses.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

4.0 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

4.1 Distributable Cash and Cash Distributions

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information 
(in thousands of dollars except per unit amounts)

Year ended
December 31
2006 

Year ended
December 31
2005

3 months ended
December 31
2006 

3 months ended
December 31
2005

Net cash provided by operating activities $
Increase (decrease) in non-cash operating

18,539

$

13,875

$

8,860

$

7,917

working capital

(889)

6,194

(5,049)

(4,060)

Cash flow from operations before changes
in non-cash operating working capital

Capital expenditures

Distributable cash

Distributions relating to the period:

17,650
(902)

20,069
(1,356)

3,811
(97)

3,857
(533)

$

16,748

$

18,713

$

3,714

$

3,324

12

Class A Units
Class B Units

13,265 (1)
– (3)

15,497
3,065

2,940 (2)
– (3)

$

13,265

$

18,562

$

2,940

$

3,825
–

3,825

Outstanding units and per unit amounts

Class A Units outstanding 
Class B Units outstanding

Total Units outstanding

Distributable Cash per Total Units 

Distributions relating to the period:

Class A Units
Class B Units
Total Units

Payout Ratio (4)

14,410,000
3,602,500

18,012,500

$

$
$
$

0.930

0.921 (1)
– (3)
0.736

79.2%

14,410,000
3,602,500

18,012,500

$

$
$
$

1.039

1.075
0.851
1.031

99.2%

14,410,000
3,602,500

18,012,500

$

$
$
$

0.206

0.204 (2)
– (3)
0.163

14,410,000
3,602,500

18,012,500

$

$
$
$

0.185

0.265
–
0.212

79.2%

115.1%

(1) Includes the cash distributions of $0.08542 per Class A Unit per month which relate to the operations of the Fund for the months January
through June 2006, and distributions of $0.068 per Class A Unit per month which relate to the operations of the Fund for July through
December 2006.

(2) Includes the cash distributions of $0.068 per Class A Unit per month which relate to the operations of the Fund for October, November,

and December 2006.

(3) On January 10, 2006, Hardwoods Specialty Products LP and Hardwoods Specialty Products US LP, partnerships in which the Fund owns
an 80% interest, announced that quarterly distributions were suspended on the subordinated units, represented by the Class B LP and 
Class B US LP units. The Class B LP units and Class B US LP units represent a 20% interest in the combined business of Hardwoods,
which is subordinated to the Fund’s ownership interest in the business. Accordingly, no distributions were declared payable relating to the
fourth quarter of 2005, and the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2006 to the non-controlling interests and no current liability for
distributions payable to the non-controlling interests is reflected in the December 31, 2006 balance sheet.

(4) Payout ratio measures the ratio of distributions relating to the period to distributable cash in the period. Comparative distributable cash
and payout ratio figures have been restated to conform with presentation adopted in the year ended December 31, 2006 as a result of the
suspension of quarterly distributions on the Class B Units.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

We pay distributions on Class A Units at the end of the
month following the month in which the cash is earned.
Distributions  may  also  be  made  quarterly  on  Class  B
Units in an amount equivalent on an after-tax per-unit
basis to distributions made on Class A Units, pursuant to
the terms of a subordination agreement as outlined in the
Fund’s Annual Information Form dated March 20, 2007.

The Fund’s subordination feature is designed to stay in
place  until  the  EBITDA  and  distributable  cash  tests
established at the time of the IPO are met. The terms of
these EBITDA and distributable cash tests are described 
in  note  7  to  the  accompanying  financial  statements  of
the Fund.

In 2006, the Fund and its subsidiaries generated total
distributable  cash  available  to  Class  A  and  Class  B
Unitholders  of $16.7  million, or  $0.930  per  unit.
Distributions relating to the period were $13.3 million, or
$0.921 per unit, to our public unitholders (Class A Units).
In accordance with the terms of a subordination feature in
place  with  the  previous  owners  (Class  B  Units), no
distributions were made to the previous owners related to
the year ended December 31, 2006. In the fourth quarter of

2006, the  Fund  and  its  subsidiaries  generated  total
distributable  cash  available  to  Class  A  and  Class  B
Unitholders of $3.7 million, or $0.206 per unit, and made
distributions  relating  to  the  period  of $2.9  million, or
$0.204 per unit, to our public unitholders only (Class A
Units). These distributions represent an overall payout
ratio of 79% for the twelve months ended December 31,
2006, and 79% for the fourth quarter of 2006. The income
tax characterization of distributions paid to unitholders in
2006  was  45.03%  fully  taxable  distributions, 26.33%
dividends, and 28.64% return of capital.

4.2 Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures were $0.1 million in the fourth
quarter of 2006 and $0.9 million for the year. Hardwoods
leases  all  of its  buildings  and  contracts  out  all  freight
delivery services. As a result, our capital requirements are
minimal and principally include replacement of forklifts,
furniture  and  fixtures, leasehold  improvements  and
computer equipment.

13

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

4.3 Utilization of Distributable Cash 

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information 
(in thousands of dollars except per unit amounts)

Distributable Cash
Cash Distributions paid in the period

Distributable Cash retained

Decrease (increase) in non-cash

working capital

Decrease (increase) in long-term

receivables

Decrease (increase) in deferred

financing fees

Proceeds from disposal of property,

plant and equipment

Decrease (increase) in bank 
indebtedness, net of cash

Year ended
December 31
2006 

$

$

16,748
(13,516)

3,232

Year ended
December 31
2005

3 months ended
December 31
2006 

3 months ended
December 31
2005

$

$

18,713
(19,626)

(913)

$

$

3,714
(2,940)

774

$

$

3,324
(4,869)

(1,545)

889

2,002

(33)

34

(6,194)

(1,836)

–

2,150

5,049

2,086

(33)

17

4,060

(1,087)

–

(15)

$

6,124

$

(6,793)

$

7,893

$

1,413

Our utilization of distributable cash, and its relation to
working  capital  use  and  bank  line  financing  in  the
Business is summarized above.

For  the  year  ended  December  31, 2006, the  Fund
generated distributable cash of $16.7 million, paid cash
distributions of $13.5 million and retained $3.2 million of
distributable cash. In the same period the Fund reduced its
investment  in  non-cash  operating  working  capital  by
$0.9 million and decreased its investment in long-term
receivables  by  $2.0  million. The  retained  distributable
cash, combined  with  the  reduced  non-cash  working
capital  and  long-term  receivables  investment, enabled
the Fund to pay down its bank indebtedness (net of cash)
by $6.1 million in 2006. For the fourth quarter of 2006, the
Fund  generated  distributable  cash  of $3.7  million,

paid  cash  distributions  of $2.9  million, and  retained 
$0.8  million  of distributable  cash. Non-cash  operating
working capital fell by $5.0 million in the fourth quarter,
primarily  due  to  a  $4.2  million  reduction  in  accounts
receivable, and  long-term  receivables  were  reduced  by 
$2.1  million. These  factors  contributed  to  the  Fund
reducing  its  bank  indebtedness  (net  of cash)  by 
$7.9  million  in  the  three-months  ended  December  31,
2006.

We believe that our credit facilities, combined with the
retained portion of our distributable cash, are sufficient 
to  meet  our  current  working  capital  requirements.
The terms of our revolving credit facilities are addressed
on the following page.

14

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

4.4 Revolving Credit Facilities 

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information 
(in thousands of dollars)

Cash and cash equivalents
Debt
Net debt

Unitholders’ equity
Total capitalization

Net debt to total capitalization 

Previous 12 months EBITDA

As at
December 31
2006 

$

$

(594)
39,152
38,558

$ 113,310
$ 151,868

25.4%

21,821

Net debt to previous 12 months EBITDA

1.77

In  the  fourth  quarter  of 2006, we  renewed  our
independent  credit  facilities  in  Canada  and  the  U.S.
In Canada, the term of our operating line now extends to
November 30, 2009 and comprises a maximum facility of
$22.0 million. The balance outstanding on the Canadian
operating line as at December 31, 2006 was $10.8 million.
In the US, the term of our operating line now extends to
March 31, 2010, comprises a maximum facility of US$35
million, and  as  at  December  31, 2006  had  a  balance
outstanding  of $27.6  million  (US  $23.7  million).
The  principal  terms  of the  credit  facilities  available  to
Hardwoods LP and Hardwoods US LP are described in
more  detail  in  the  Fund’s  Annual  Information  Form
dated March 20, 2007.

The  Fund’s  net  debt  at  December  31, 2006  was 
$38.6 million, compared to $44.7 million at December 31,
2005. Overall net debt compared to total capitalization

As at
December 31
2005

$

$

(2,203)
46,925
44,722

$ 124,298
$ 169,020

26.5%

23,584

1.90

15

stands  at  25.4%  as  of December  31, 2006, down  from
26.5% as of December 31, 2005. The ratio of net debt to
EBITDA in the previous 12 months, an indicator of the
Fund’s financial leverage, decreased to 1.77 times as of
December 31, 2006 from 1.90 times as of December 31,
2005. The maximum ratio of net debt to EBITDA allowed
under the Fund’s Canadian credit facility is 2.75 times at
the  end  of any  financial  quarter  up  to  and  including
September 30, 2007, and not more than 2.50 times at the
end  of any  financial  quarter  ending  thereafter.
The  maximum  ratio  of net  debt  to  EBITDA  allowed
under  the  Fund’s  US  credit  facility  is  2.85  times.
The Fund’s operating subsidiaries were fully compliant
with these ratios as at December 31, 2006.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

16

4.5 Contractual Obligations
The table below sets forth contractual obligations of the
Fund as at December 31, 2006. These obligations relate to
operating leases on various premises and automobiles and
become due in the fiscal years indicated:

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012 and thereafter

Total

$

7,459
6,018
4,659
2,987
1,085
1,202

$

23,410

4.6 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The  Fund  has  no  off balance  sheet  arrangements.
The foreign currency contracts discussed under Financial
Instruments in section 5.0 of this report are marked-to-
market  at  the  end  of each  quarter, with  the  fair  value
recorded on the balance sheet.

5.0 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Fund uses currency contracts to assist in managing
its exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates between the
Canadian dollar and the United States dollar. The foreign
currency contracts are recognized in the balance sheet and
measured at their fair value, with changes in fair value
recognized  currently  in  the  statement  of operations.
At  December  31, 2006, a  subsidiary  of the  Fund  had
entered  into  16  monthly  foreign  currency  contracts  to
exchange  US$675,000  into  approximately  Canadian
$878,000 each month until April 2008. This reflects an
exchange  rate  of Cdn$1.3001  to  US$1.00. This  same
subsidiary had an additional 12 monthly foreign currency
contracts  to  exchange  US$675,000  into  approximately
Canadian  $760,000  each  month  from  May  2008  until
April 2009, reflecting an exchange rate of $1.1255. This
means  that  foreign  currency  contracts  will  provide
approximately $118,000 less per month beginning in May
2008 than they do currently. The fair value of the Fund’s 
16 remaining monthly currency contracts covering the

period January 2007 to April 2008 have been reflected in
the financial statements and represent a current asset of
$1.1  million  and  a  long-term  asset  of $0.4  million  at
December  31, 2006. The  fair  value  of the  Fund’s 
12 monthly currency contracts covering the period May
2008  to  April  2009  has  been  reflected  in  the  financial
statements  and  represents  a  long-term  liability  of
$0.1 million at December 31, 2006.

Based on a monthly distribution of $0.068 per unit to
public  unitholders, the  principal  value  of the  Fund’s
current  foreign  currency  contracts  (through  to  April
2009) are sufficient to fully cover the estimated amount of
US dollar denominated distributable cash that must be
converted  to  Canadian  dollars  to  pay  distributions  to
Class A Unitholders.

6.0 RELATED PARTY 
TRANSACTIONS

Related parties refers to affiliates of the previous owners
of the  Business  who  have  retained  a  20%  interest  in
Hardwoods through ownership of Class B Hardwoods LP
units and Class B Hardwoods USLP units, respectively.
For  the  year  ended  December  31, 2006, sales  of
$1.1  million  were  made  to  related  parties, and  the
subsidiaries of the Fund purchased $78,000 from related
parties. These sales and purchases took place at prevailing
market prices. Subsidiaries of the Fund also paid $108,000
to  related  parties  to  provide  services  for  management
information systems.

7.0 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING 

ESTIMATES AND NEW 
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

7.1  Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance
with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
requires that we make estimates and assumptions that can
have a material impact on our results of operations as
reported on a periodic basis. We base our estimates and
assumptions on past experience and other factors that are
deemed  reasonable  under  the  circumstances. Actual
results  could  differ  from  these  estimates. The  critical
estimates used in preparing our financial statements are:

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

Accounts Receivable Provision: Due to the nature of our
business and the credit terms we provide to our customers,
we anticipate that a certain portion of required customer
payments will not be made, and we maintain an allowance
for these doubtful accounts. The allowance is based on our
estimate  of the  potential  of recovering  our  accounts
receivable, and  incorporates  current  and  expected
collection trends.

Valuation  of Inventories: We  anticipate  that  the  net
realizable  value  of our  inventory  could  be  affected  by
market shifts or damage to our products. Our inventory is
valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value.

Valuation of Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill: Other
intangible  assets  represent  customer  relationships
acquired  at  the  time  of our  IPO, and  are  recorded  at 
cost, less  accumulated  amortization. Amortization  is
provided  for  on  a  straight  line  basis  over  15  years.
Goodwill  is  recorded  at  cost  and  is  not  amortized.
Management reviews the carrying value of goodwill and of
other  intangible  assets  annually, or  more  frequently  if
events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset
may be impaired. An excess of carrying value over fair
value  is  charged  to  income  in  the  period  in  which  the
impairment is determined.

All significant accounting policies have been included in

note 2 to the financial statements.

7.2 New Accounting Standards
The  Accounting  Standards  Board  of the  Canadian
Institute  of Chartered  Accountants  (“CICA”)  issued
Section 3855, Financial Instruments – Recognition and
Measurement, Section  3861, Financial  Instruments  –
Disclosure and Presentation, Section 3865, Hedges, and
Section 1530, Comprehensive Income, all applicable to the
Fund for annual or interim accounting periods beginning
on January 1, 2007.

Section  3855  requires  all  financial  assets, financial
liabilities and non-financial derivatives to be recognized
on the balance sheet and measured based on specified
categories. Section 3861 identifies and details information
to be disclosed in the financial statements

Section 3865 sets out when hedge accounting can be
applied and builds on existing Canadian GAAP guidance
by  specifying  how  hedge  accounting  is  applied  and
disclosed.

Section  1530  introduces  new  standards  for  the
presentation  and  disclosure  of the  components  of
comprehensive income. Comprehensive income is defined
as  the  change  in  net  assets  of an  enterprise  during  a
reporting period from transactions and other events and
circumstances from non-owner sources.

The Fund is currently evaluating the full impact of the
standards and will be required to present a new statement
entitled “Comprehensive Income”.

The  CICA  also  issued  Section  1506, Accounting
Changes, which revises the current standards on changes
in  accounting  policy, estimates  or  errors  as  follows:
voluntary changes in accounting policy are allowed only
when  they  result  in  financial  statements  that  provide
reliable  and  more  relevant  information; changes  in
accounting policy are to be applied retrospectively unless
doing so is impracticable; changes in estimates are to be
recorded prospectively; and prior period adjustments are
to be corrected retrospectively.

In addition, these standards call for enhanced disclosure
about  the  effects  of changes  in  accounting  policies,
estimates and errors on the financial statements.

These revised accounting standards are effective for the
Fund from January 1, 2007. The impact of Section 1506
cannot be determined until such time as the Fund makes
a change in accounting policy.

8.0 RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The  Fund  is  exposed  to  a  number  of risks  and
uncertainties in the normal course of business that could
have a negative effect on the Fund’s financial condition or
results of operations.We identified significant risks that we
were aware of in our Annual Information Report dated
March  20, 2007, which  is  available  to  readers  at
www.sedar.com.

As discussed in section 2.0 of this report, a number of
economic measures in 2006 indicated that a slowdown is
underway in the US and Canadian housing sectors.We are
diversified geographically, by customer, and by the wide
range  of commercial  and  residential  applications  for
hardwoods. However, significant  erosion  in  levels 

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

17

18

of activity  in  any  of these  areas, including  levels  of
commercial and new home construction or renovation,
could  have  a  negative  impact  on  demand  for  the
hardwood products we sell. The risk of bad debts also
increases if some of our customers prove unable to stay in
business during a period of reduced hardwood demand.
To address these heightened risks, we are prepared to take
action by operating region to control costs in the event 
that we do experience a downturn in the economy that
reduces  demand  for  our  hardwood  products. Where
possible, we have also proactively negotiated repayment
plans  and  enhanced  security  on  customer  accounts
deemed to be most at risk from a credit perspective.

On  October  31, 2006, the  Canadian  Department  of
Finance announced the “Tax Fairness Plan” whereby the
income tax rules applicable to publicly traded trusts and
partnerships will be significantly modified. In particular,
certain  income  of, and  distributions  made  by, these 
entities will be taxed in a manner similar to a corporation.
The application of these rules will be delayed to the 2011
taxation  year  with  respect  to  trusts  that  were  publicly
traded  prior  to  November  1, 2006, although  the
announcement suggested that this transitional relief could
be lost under certain circumstances, including the “undue
expansion”of an income trust. On December 15, 2006, the
Canadian Department of Finance released guidance for
income trusts and other flow-through entities that qualify
for  the  four-year  transitional  relief. The  guidance
establishes objective tests for income trusts with respect to
how much an income trust is permitted to grow without
jeopardizing its transitional relief. In general, the Fund will
be permitted to issue new equity over the next four years
equal to its market capitalization as of the end of trading
on  October  31, 2006, subject  to  certain  annual  limits.
Market  capitalization, for  these  purposes, is  to  be
measured in terms of the value of the Fund’s issued and
outstanding  publicly  traded  units. If these  limits  are
exceeded, the  Fund  may  lose  its  transitional  relief and
thereby  become  immediately  subject  to  the  proposed
rules. On December 21, 2006, the Department of Finance

issued  for  public  comment  the  draft  legislation  to
implement these proposals. There is no assurance that the
draft legislation will be enacted in the manner proposed or
at all.

As previously described in section 2.0 of this report,
the  Fund  is  considering  these  announcements  and  the
possible  impact  of the  proposed  rules  to  the  Fund.
The proposed rules, including the guidance released on
December 15, 2006, may adversely affect the marketability
of the  Fund’s  units  and  the  ability  of the  Fund  to
undertake financings and acquisitions, and, at such time as
the proposed rules apply to the Fund, the Distributable
Cash of the Fund may be reduced.

9.0 DISCLOSURE CONTROLS 
AND PROCEDURES AND 
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER 
FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Fund’s management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures to
provide reasonable assurance that material information
related to the Fund, including its consolidated subsidiaries,
is  made  known  to  senior  management, including  the
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial
Officer (CFO), by others within those entities on a timely
basis so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding
public disclosure. The CEO and CFO have evaluated the
Fund’s  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  and  have
concluded that they are effective as of December 31, 2006.

The  Fund’s  management  are  also  responsible  for
designing  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting, or
causing  it  to  be  designed  under  their  supervision, to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of financial
statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with
GAAP. As  of December  31, 2006, the  CEO  and  CFO 
have  designed, or  caused  to  be  designed  under  their
supervision, such  internal  controls  over  financial
reporting.Additionally, the CEO and CFO have identified
no changes in the Fund’s internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the Fund’s most recent
interim period that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the Fund’s internal control over 
financial reporting.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

10.0 SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
10.1 Quarterly Financial Information

(in thousands of dollars except per Unit and ratio amounts)

Total sales
Net earnings (loss)
Basic and fully diluted earnings 

(loss) per Class A Unit

EBITDA
Distributable cash
Total distributions to 

Class A and Class B Units

Payout ratio

Q4
2006

Q3
2006

Q2
2006

Q1
2006

Q4
2005

Q3
2005

Q2
2005

Q1
2005

83,120
(4,826)

90,974
2,656

95,054
3,939

93,380
1,868

84,130
2,370

94,766
4,597

91,852
3,442

85,027
2,942

(0.335)
4,088
3,714

2,940
79%

0.184
6,727
4,921

2,940
60%

0.273
6,427
4,716

3,693
78%

0.130
4,579
3,397

3,693
109%

0.164
4,706
3,324

3,825
115%

0.319
6,679 
5,193

4,971
96%

0.239
6,691
5,473

4,910
90%

0.204
5,508
4,723

4,877
103%

The table above provides selected quarterly financial
information for the eight most recently completed fiscal
quarters of the Fund. This information is unaudited, but
reflects  all  adjustments  of a  normal, recurring  nature
which  are, in  our  opinion, necessary  to  present  a  fair
statement  of the  results  of operations  for  the  periods
presented. Quarter  to  quarter  comparisons  of our
financial results are not necessarily meaningful and should
not be relied upon as indication of future performance.
Historically, the  first  quarter  and  fourth  quarter  have

10.2 Annual Financial Information

(in thousands of dollars except per Unit amounts)

Total sales
Net earnings
Basic and fully diluted earnings per Class A Unit
Total assets
Total long-term financial liabilities
Distributions per Unit relating to the period:

Class A Units
Class B Units
Total Units

(1) The Fund commenced operations on March 23, 2004

been  seasonally  slower  periods  for  our  business.
In addition, net earnings reported in each quarter may be
impacted by changes to the foreign exchange rate of the
Canadian  and  US  dollar, write-downs  in  the  carrying
value  of goodwill  and  other  intangible  assets  (which
occurred in the three months ended December 31, 2006),
and gains or losses on foreign currency contracts which are
described under Financial Instruments in section 5.0 of
this report.

19

Year ended
December 31
2006 

Year ended
December 31
2005

Period from
March 23, 2004
to December 31
2004 (1)

362,528
3,637
0.252
198,404
37,372

0.921
–
0.736

355,775
13,351
0.927
214,669
34,215

1.075
0.851
1.031

289,895
14,603
1.01
209,513
32,668

0.819
0.890
0.833

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

20

Management’s Statement 
of Responsibilities

Auditors’ Report 
to the Unitholders

The accompanying consolidated financial statements
are  the  responsibility  of management  and  have 
been reviewed and approved by the Boards of Directors
and the Trustees. The consolidated financial statements
have been prepared by management, in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and,
where appropriate, reflect management’s best estimates
and judgements. Management has also prepared financial
and all other information in the annual report and has
ensured  that  this  information  is  consistent  with  the
consolidated financial statements.

The Fund maintains appropriate systems of internal
control, policies and procedures, which provide manage-
ment with reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded
and the financial records are reliable and form a proper
basis for preparation of financial statements.

The Boards of Directors and the Trustees ensure that
management  fulfills  its  responsibilities  for  financial
reporting  and  internal  control  through  an  Audit
Committee. This  committee  reviews  the  consolidated
financial  statements  and  is  comprised  of independent
Trustees. The auditors have full and direct access to the
Audit Committee.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been
independently  audited  by  KPMG  LLP, in  accordance 
with  Canadian  generally  accepted  auditing  standards.
Their  report  herewith  expresses  their  opinion  on 
the consolidated financial statements of the Fund.

Maurice E. Paquette 
President and Chief Executive Officer

We  have  audited  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of
Hardwoods Distribution Income Fund (the “Fund”) as 
at  December  31, 2006  and  2005  and  the  consolidated
statements  of earnings  and  retained  earnings  (deficit)
and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s manage-
ment. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian
generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards
require  that  we  plan  and  perform  an  audit  to  obtain
reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are
free  of material  misstatement. An  audit  includes
examining, on  a  test  basis, evidence  supporting  the
amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements.
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as
well  as  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement
presentation.

In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of the Fund as at December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then
ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles.

Chartered Accountants 
Vancouver, Canada

February 9, 2007

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

Hardwoods Distribution Income Fund
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Assets
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Income taxes recoverable
Inventory
Prepaid expenses
Foreign currency contracts (note 5) 

Long-term receivables (note 3)
Property, plant and equipment (note 4)
Deferred financing costs
Foreign currency contracts (note 5)
Other intangible assets
Goodwill

Liabilities and Unitholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:

Bank indebtedness (note 6)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Distributions payable to Unitholders

Foreign currency contracts (note 5)
Deferred gain on sale-leaseback of land and building 
Non-controlling interests (note 7)
Future income taxes (note 9)
Unitholders’ equity:
Fund Units (note 8)
Retained earnings (deficit)
Cumulative foreign currency translation account

Commitments (note 11)
Contingencies (note 16)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Approved on behalf of the Trustees:

Lawrence I Bell
Trustee 

Terry M. Holland
Trustee

December 31
2006

December 31
2005

$

594
43,767
596
44,584
1,098
1,129
91,768
3,236
3,219
32
385
10,878
88,886
$ 198,404

$

39,152
7,590
980
47,722
141
719
33,859
2,653

133,454
(8,973)
(11,171)
113,310

$

2,203
46,166
86
47,666
1,222
1,439
98,782
2,634
3,519
77
1,214
12,103
96,340
$ 214,669

$

46,925
9,231
–
56,156
–
804
32,047
1,364

133,454
1,886
(11,042)
124,298

$ 198,404

$ 214,669

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

21

Hardwoods Distribution Income Fund
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS 
AND RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Sales
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Expenses (income):

Selling and administrative
Amortization:

Plant and equipment
Deferred financing costs
Other intangible assets
Deferred gain on sale-leaseback of land and building

22

Interest
Foreign currency contracts
Intangibles impairment (note 2(g))
Goodwill impairment (note 2(h))

Earnings before non-controlling interests and 

income taxes

Non-controlling interests (note 7)

Earnings before income taxes
Income taxes (note 9)

Net earnings for the year
Retained earnings, beginning of year
Distributions declared to Unitholders
Retained earnings (deficit), end of year

Basic and diluted earnings per Unit

Year Ended
December 31
2006

$ 362,528
296,486

Year Ended
December 31
2005

$ 355,775
289,388

66,042

66,387

45,559

43,480

1,208
77
899
(84)
3,127
(58)
326
7,566
58,620

7,422
1,484

5,938
2,301

3,637
1,886
(14,496)
(8,973)

0.25

$

$

$

$

1,236
64
938
(57)
2,114
(819)
–
–
46,956

19,431
3,886

15,545
2,194

13,351
2,801
(14,266)
1,886

0.93

Weighted average number of Units outstanding

14,410,000

14,410,000

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

Hardwoods Distribution Income Fund
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:

Net earnings for the year
Items not involving cash:

Amortization
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
Mark-to-market adjustment on unrealized 

foreign currency contracts

Intangibles impairment (note 2(g))
Goodwill impairment (note 2(h))
Non-controlling interests
Future income taxes

Change in non-cash operating working capital (note 10)
Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

Increase (decrease) in bank indebtedness
Increase in deferred financing fees
Distributions paid to Unitholders
Distributions paid to non-controlling interests
Net cash used in financing activities

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:

Additions to property, plant and equipment
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Decrease (increase) in long-term receivables, net
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash
Cash, beginning of year
Cash, end of year

Supplemental information:

Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Transfer of accounts receivable to long-term customer 

notes receivable, being a non-cash transaction

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Year Ended
December 31
2006

Year Ended
December 31
2005

$

3,637

$

13,351

2,100
(32)

1,280
326
7,566
1,484
1,289
17,650
889
18,539

(7,733)
(33)
(13,516)
–
(21,282)

(902)
34
2,002
1,134

(1,609)
2,203
594

3,127
1,572

2,167

$

$

2,181
(26)

(142)
–
–
3,886
819
20,069
(6,194)
13,875

8,996
–
(15,563)
(4,063)
(10,630)

(1,356)
2,150
(1,836)
(1,042)

2,203
–
2,203

2,114
946

509

$

$

23

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

Hardwoods Distribution Income Fund
Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005

24

1. Nature of operations and 
business acquisition:

Hardwoods  Distribution  Income  Fund  (the “Fund”)  is  an
unincorporated, open-ended, limited purpose trust established
under the laws of the Province of British Columbia on January
30, 2004  by  a  Declaration  of Trust. The  Fund  commenced
operations on March 23, 2004 when it completed an initial public
offering (the “Offering”) of Units and acquired an 80% interest
in a hardwood lumber and sheet goods distribution business in
North  America  (the  “Business”)  from  affiliates  of Sauder
Industries Limited (“SIL”). The Fund holds, indirectly, 80% of
the  outstanding  limited  partnership  units  of Hardwoods
Specialty  Products  LP  (“Hardwoods  LP”)  and  Hardwoods
Specialty  Products  US  LP  (“Hardwoods  USLP”), limited
partnerships  established  under  the  laws  of the  Province  of
Manitoba and the state of Delaware, respectively.

2. Significant accounting policies:

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance  with  Canadian  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

(a) Basis of presentation:

These  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the
accounts  of the  Fund  and  its  80%  owned  subsidiaries
Hardwoods  LP  and  Hardwoods  USLP, and  other  wholly
owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances
and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

(b) Cash and cash equivalents:

The Fund considers deposits in banks, certificates of deposits
and  short-term  investments  with  original  maturities  of
three  months  or  less  when  acquired  as  cash  and  cash
equivalents.

(c) Accounts receivable:

Accounts receivable includes trade accounts receivable net of
allowances for doubtful accounts plus the current portion of
housing loans receivable from employees related to their
relocation and customer notes receivable.

(d) Inventory:

Inventory is valued at the lower of weighted average cost and
net realizable value.

(e)  Property, plant and equipment:

Property, plant  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost.
Amortization is provided at straight-line rates sufficient to
amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful
lives as follows:

Assets
Machinery and equipment
Mobile equipment
Leasehold improvements

Estimated useful life
5 to 10 years
7 to 10 years
Over the term of the lease

(f) Deferred financing costs:

Financing  costs  incurred  to  obtain  credit  facilities  are
deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term
of the related debt.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

(g) Other intangible assets:

(j) Sales-leaseback of land and building:

Other  intangible  assets  represent  customer  relationships
acquired  in  the  business  combination  (note  1)  and  are
recorded  at  cost  less  accumulated  amortization  and  any
write-downs.Amortization is provided for on a straight-line
basis over 15 years. Management reviews the carrying value
of intangible  assets  for  impairment  annually, or  more
frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the asset may be impaired. Any excess of carrying value over
fair value is charged to income in the period in which the
impairment is determined. During the fourth quarter ended
December  31, 2006, management  performed  its  annual
impairment test and having determined that the carrying
value of intangible assets exceeded their fair value, recorded
an impairment of $326,000.

(h) Goodwill:

Goodwill is recorded at cost less any write-downs and is not
amortized. Management  reviews  the  carrying  value  of
goodwill  for  impairment  annually, or  more  frequently  if
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset
may be impaired.Any excess of carrying value over fair value
is charged to income in the period in which the impairment
is determined. During the fourth quarter ended December
31, 2006, management performed its annual impairment
test  and  having  determined  that  the  carrying  value  of
goodwill  exceeded  its  fair  value, recorded  a  goodwill
impairment  of $7,566,000. The  write-down  of goodwill
relates solely to the Fund’s Canadian business, Hardwoods
LP. The goodwill impairment in Hardwoods LP is largely
due  to  the  anticipated  reduction  to  cash  flows  resulting 
from the Canadian federal government’s intention to tax
Canadian income trusts commencing in 2011, as well as
lower than previously anticipated revenue and cash flows to
be generated.

(i) Impairment of long-lived assets:

Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment
and other intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recoverability of assets is measured by a comparison of the
carrying  amount  of an  asset  to  estimated  undiscounted
future  cash  flows  expected  to  be  generated  by  the  asset.
If the carrying amount for the asset exceeds its estimated
future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the
amount that the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its 
fair value.

During the year ended December 31, 2005, a subsidiary of
the Fund sold a building and related land and leased back the
facilities. The  gain  on  the  sale  has  been  deferred  and  is
amortized in proportion to the rental payments over the
lease term.

(k) Income taxes:

Incorporated  subsidiaries  of the  Fund  use  the  asset  and
liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the
asset  and  liability  method, future  income  tax  assets  and
liabilities  are  recognized  for  the  future  tax  consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective  tax  bases. Future  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are
measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which
those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on future tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that
includes the substantive enactment date. The amount of
future income tax assets recognized is limited to the amount
that is more likely than not to be realized.

As the Fund allocates all of its net earnings to Unitholders
and deducts these amounts in computing its taxable income,
Unitholders, rather than the Fund, will generally be liable for
any income tax obligations. Accordingly, no provision for
income taxes has been made in respect of the Fund itself.

(l) Revenue recognition:

Revenue from the sale of hardwood lumber and sheet goods
is recognized at the time of delivery, which is when title and
the risks and rewards of ownership transfer to the customer.

(m) Translation of foreign currencies:

The  accounts  of
the  Fund’s  self-sustaining  foreign
operations are translated into Canadian dollars using the
current rate method. Assets and liabilities are translated at
the  exchange  rate  in  effect  at  the  balance  sheet  date  and
revenue  and  expenses  are  translated  at  average  exchange
rates  for  the  period. Gains  or  losses  arising  from  the
translation of the financial statements of the self-sustaining
foreign operations are deferred in the cumulative foreign
currency translation account in Unitholders’ equity.

25

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

accounts, future  income  taxes  and  amounts  of accrued
liabilities. Actual  amounts  may  differ  from  the  estimates
applied in the preparation of these financial statements.

(q) Comparative figures:

Certain comparative figures have been restated to conform
to the current year’s financial statement presentation.

3. Long-term receivables: 

Employee housing loans
Customer notes
Security deposits

Less: current portion

2006

$ 1,766
2,277
606
4,649
1,413
$ 3,236

2005

3,364
477
611
4,452
1,818
2,634

$

$

Long-term receivables consist of non-interest bearing housing
loans  receivable  from  employees  related  to  their  relocation,
interest bearing notes receivable from certain customers, and
security deposits recoverable on leased premises. The housing
loans  are  secured  by  a  deed  of trust  or  mortgage  depending 
upon  the  jurisdiction. The  customer  notes  receivable  have
various security arrangements and bear interest rates ranging
from  8%-18%.

4. Property, plant and equipment:

December 31, 2006

Cost

Accumulated
amortization

Net book
value

Machinery and 
equipment

Mobile equipment
Leasehold improvements

$ 2,312
3,322
765
$ 6,399

December 31, 2005

Cost

Machinery and 
equipment

Mobile equipment
Leasehold improvements

$ 1,919
2,922
715
$ 5,556

$ 1,228
1,549
403
$ 3,180

Accumulated
amortization

$

743
1,021
273
$ 2,037

$

$

$

$

1,084
1,773
362
3,219

Net book
value

1,176
1,901
442
3,519

2. Significant accounting policies (continued)

Foreign  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  of the  Canadian
operations have been translated into Canadian dollars using
the  rate  of exchange  in  effect  at  the  balance  sheet  date.
the  Canadian  operations
Revenue  and  expenses  of
denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  at  the
average exchange rates for the period. Exchange gains or
losses arising from translation of these foreign monetary
balances and transactions are reflected in earnings.

(n) Foreign currency contracts:

The Fund uses currency derivatives to manage its exposure
to fluctuations in exchange rates between the Canadian and
the United States dollar. The foreign currency contracts are
recognized in the balance sheet and measured at fair value,
with  changes  in  fair  value  recognized  currently  in  the
statement of operations.

(o) Earnings per Unit:

Basic earnings per Unit is calculated by dividing net earnings
by  the  weighted  average  number  of Units  outstanding
during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per Unit is
calculated  by  application  of the  if-converted  method  for
convertible securities (being exchangeable Units held by the
non-controlling interest). As the conversion of convertible
securities would not have a dilutive effect on earnings per
Unit, diluted  and  basic  earnings  per  Unit  are  the  same
amount.

(p) Use of estimates:

financial  statements  requires
The  preparation  of
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of revenue  and
expenses  during  the  reporting  period. Areas  requiring
significant  management  estimates  include  the  valuation
and impairment analysis of goodwill and other intangible
assets, the  determination  of the  allowance  for  doubtful

26

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

The  credit  facilities  are  repayable  without  any  prepayment
penalties  and  bear  interest  at  a  floating  rate  based  on  the
Canadian dollar or US dollar prime rate (as the case may be),
LIBOR  or  bankers  acceptance  rates  plus, in  each  case, an
applicable margin. Letters of credit are also available under the
credit facilities. The rates vary with the ratio of total debt for
borrowed money, capital leases and letters of credit (as adjusted
for certain items) to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and  amortization, as  defined  in  the  credit  agreements.
Commitment fees and standby charges are payable.

The  average  annual  interest  rates  payable  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2006 were 6.6% and 7.2% (2005 - 5.0% and 4.9%)
for the Hardwoods LP and Hardwoods USLP credit facilities,
respectively.

7. Non-controlling interests:

Balance, beginning of the year
Interest in earnings for the year
Distributions declared to 

non-controlling interests
Foreign currency translation 

adjustment of non-controlling 
interest in Hardwoods USLP 
and other

Balance, end of the year

2006

2005

$ 32,047
1,484

$ 32,123
3,886

–

(3,066)

27

328
$ 33,859

(896)
$ 32,047

The previous owners of the Business (note 1) have retained a
20% interest in Hardwoods LP and Hardwoods USLP through
ownership of Class B Hardwoods LP units (“Class B LP Units”)
and Class B Hardwoods USLP units (“Class B USLP Units”),
respectively. The  Fund  owns  an  indirect  80%  interest  in
Hardwoods LP and Hardwoods USLP through ownership of all
Class A Hardwoods LP units (“Class A LP Units”) and Class A
Hardwoods USLP units (“Class A USLP Units”), respectively.

5. Foreign currency contracts:

In  order  to  manage  the  Fund’s  exposure  to  exchange  rate
fluctuations on United States dollar denominated distributable
cash, at December 31, 2006 a subsidiary of the Fund had entered
into  16  foreign  currency  contracts  to  exchange  US$675,000
each  month  for  approximately  $878,000  until  April  2008,
reflecting an exchange rate of $1.30. The subsidiary of the Fund
also had an additional 12 monthly foreign currency contracts to
exchange US$675,000 into approximately $760,000 each month
from May 2008 until April 2009, reflecting an exchange rate of
$1.1255. The  fair  value  of the  Fund’s  16  remaining  monthly
foreign currency contracts covering the period January 2007 to
April 2008 represent a current asset of $1,129,000 and a long-
term asset of $385,000 at December 31, 2006. The fair value of
the Fund’s 12 monthly currency contracts covering the period
May  2008  to  April  2009  represent  a  long-term  liability  of
$141,000 at December 31, 2006. The fair values were determined
based on valuations obtained from the counter-party.

6. Bank indebtedness:

Checks issued in excess of funds 

on deposit

Credit facility, Hardwoods LP
Credit facility, Hardwoods USLP 

(2006 - US$23,655; 
2005 - US$28,350)

2006

2005

$

797
10,788

$

753
13,201

27,567
$ 39,152

32,971
$ 46,925

Bank indebtedness consists of checks issued in excess of funds on
deposit and advances under operating lines of credit available to
Hardwoods  LP  and  Hardwoods  USLP. Hardwoods  LP  has  a
revolving  credit  facility  of up  to  an  aggregate  amount  of
$22,000,000 and Hardwoods USLP has a revolving credit facility
of up to an aggregate amount of $40,789,000 (US$35,000,000),
less  the  net  exposure  under  the  foreign  currency  contracts
facility as described in note 5.

The Hardwoods LP credit facility was renegotiated in November
2006 and now expires November 30, 2009, and is secured by a
first  security  interest  in  all  of the  present  and  after  acquired
property of Hardwoods LP and its operating subsidiaries, and by
the  Hardwoods  LP  Units  held  indirectly  by  the  Fund. The
Hardwoods  USLP  credit  facility  and  the  foreign  currency
contract arrangements were renegotiated in December 2006 and
now expire March 31, 2010. They are secured by a first security
interest  in  all  of the  present  and  after  acquired  property  of
Hardwoods  USLP  and  by  the  Hardwoods  USLP  Units  held
indirectly by the Fund.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

28

7. Non-controlling interests (continued)

The Class A LP Units and Class B LP Units and the Class A USLP
Units and Class B USLP Units, respectively, have economic and
voting rights that are equivalent in all material respects except
distributions on the Class B LP Units and Class B USLP Units are
subject  to  the  subordination  arrangements  described  below
until the date (the “Subordination End Date”) on which:

•

the  consolidated  Adjusted  EBITDA, as  defined  in  the
Subordination Agreement dated March 23, 2004, of the Fund
for the 12 month period ending on the last day of the month
immediately preceding such date is at least $21,300,000; and

• cash distributions of at least $29,540,000 ($2.05 per Unit) have
been  paid  on  the  Units  and  a  combined  amount  of cash
advances or distributions of at least $7,385,000 has been paid
on the Class B LP Units and Class B USLP Units, being $2.05
per combined Class B LP and Class B USLP Units (as adjusted
for  issuances, redemptions  and  repurchases  of Units, LP
Units and USLP Units subsequently and by converting the
cash distributions or advances by Hardwoods USLP on the
USLP  Units  at  the  rate  of exchange  used  by  the  Fund  to
convert  funds  received  by  it  in  US  dollars  into  Canadian
dollars) for the 24 month period ending on the last day of the
month immediately preceding such date.

The Subordinated End Date had not occurred at December 31,
2006.

Prior to the Subordination End Date, advances and distributions
on  the  LP  Units  and  the  USLP  Units  will  be  made  in  the
following order of priority:

• At the end of each month, cash advances or distributions will
be made to the holders of Class A LP Units and Class A USLP
Units  in  a  combined  amount  that  is  sufficient  to  provide
available cash to the Fund to enable the Fund to make cash
distributions upon the Units for such month at least equal to
$0.08542 per Unit or, if there is insufficient available cash to
make distributions or advances in such amount, such lesser
amount as is available as determined by the board of directors
of the general partners;

• At  the  end  of each  fiscal  quarter  of Hardwoods  LP  and
Hardwoods USLP, including the fiscal quarter ending on the
fiscal  year  end, available  cash  of Hardwoods  LP  and
Hardwoods  USLP  will  be  advanced  or  distributed  in  the
following order of priority:

– First, in  payment  of the  monthly  cash  advance  or
distribution to the holders of Class A LP Units and Class A
USLP Units as described above, for the month then ended;

– Second, to the holders of Class A LP Units and Class A
USLP Units, to the extent that the combined monthly cash
advances  or  distributions  in  respect  of the  12  month
period then ended (and not, for greater certainty, in any
previous  12  month  period)  on  Class  A  LP  Units  and
Class  A  USLP  Units  were  not  made  or  were  made  in
amounts less than a combined amount at least equal to
$1.025 per Unit, the amount of any such deficiency. As of
December 31, 2006, the amount of such deficiency was
$1.5 million;

– Third, to the holders of Class B LP Units and Class B USLP
Units in a combined amount for one Class B LP Unit and
one Class B USLP Unit equal, on a pro-rated basis, to the
combined amount advanced or distributed on one Class A
LP Unit and one Class A USLP Unit during such fiscal
quarter or, if there is insufficient available cash to make
advances  or  distributions  in  such  amount, such  lesser
amount as is available;

– Fourth, to the holders of Class B LP Units and Class B
USLP Units, to the extent only that combined advances or
distributions in respect of any fiscal quarter(s) during the
12  month  period  then  ended  (and  not, for  greater
certainty, in any previous 12 month period) on one Class
B LP Unit and one Class B USLP Unit were not made, or
were made in amounts less, on a pro-rated basis, that the
combined amount advanced or distributed on one Class A
LP  Unit  and  one  Class  A  USLP  Unit  during  such  12
month  period, the  amount  of such  deficiency. As  of
December 31, 2006, the amount of such deficiency was
$3.3 million;

– Fifth, to the extent of any excess, to the holders of the Class
A LP Units and Class B LP Units and Class A USLP Units
and Class B USLP Units, respectively, so that the combined
advances or distributions on one Class A LP Unit and one
Class A USLP Unit are the same as the combined advances
or distribution on one Class B LP Unit and one Class B
USLP Unit in respect of the 12 month period then ended
(and  not, for  greater  certainty, any  previous  12  month
period).

After the Subordination End Date, the holders of the Class B LP
Units  and  Class  B  USLP  Units  will  generally  be  entitled  to
effectively exchange all or a portion of their Class B LP Units and
Class B USLP Units together for up to 3,602,500 Units of the
Fund, representing 20% of the issued and outstanding Units of
the Fund on a fully diluted basis. In the event the Fund enters into
an agreement in respect of an acquisition or a take-over bid of the
Fund, the holders of the Class B LP Units and Class B USLP Units
will be entitled to exchange such units for Units of the Fund.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

8. Fund Units:

(a) An unlimited number of Units and Special Voting Units may
be created and issued pursuant to the Declaration of Trust.
Each Unit is transferable and represents an equal undivided
beneficial  interest  in  any  distributions  from  the  Fund,
whether of net income, net realized capital gains or other
amounts and in the net assets of the Fund in the event of a
termination or winding up of the Fund. The Special Voting
Units  are  not  entitled  to  any  beneficial  interest  in  any
distribution from the Fund or in the net assets of the Fund in
the event of a termination or winding up of the Fund. Each
Unit, or Special Voting Unit, entitles the holder thereof to
one vote at all meetings of voting Unitholders.

On March 23, 2004, the Fund issued 14,410,000 Units at a
price of $10 per Unit pursuant to the Offering. Net proceeds
from  the  Offering  were  $133,454,000  after  deducting
expenses of the Offering of $10,646,000. The holders of the
Class B Units of Hardwoods LP and Hardwoods USLP were
issued 3,602,500 Special Voting Units of the Fund, the value
of which is included in non-controlling interests (note 7).
Such  Special  Voting  Units  are  to  be  cancelled  on  the
exchange of Class B Units of Hardwoods LP and Hardwoods
USLP for Units of the Fund.

(b) The  Trustees  of the  Fund  approved  the  adoption  of a
Unitholders Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”) dated December
12, 2006, that is intended to ensure fair treatment for all
Unitholders in the event of a take-over bid or any other
attempt  to  acquire  a  controlling  interest  in  the  Fund.
Provisions  of the  Rights  Plan  include  the  limitation  on
Unitholder ownership at 20% of outstanding units in the
absence of a take-over bid for all outstanding units and a
requirement for a take-over bid to be open for a minimum
of 60 days. At the effective date of the Rights Plan, beneficial
owners of 20% or more of the units of the Fund (including
holders of securities exchangeable for units of the Fund) are
deemed  to  be “Grandfathered  Persons” and  are  exempt
from  the  definition  of an “Acquiring  Person” under  the
Rights  Plan  provided  their  beneficial  interest  in  the
outstanding  units  does  not  increase  by  more  than  1.0%
following December 12, 2006. The rights become exercisable
only when a person or party acquires 20% or more of the
Units, or in the case of a Grandfathered Person increases
their beneficial interest in Units by more than 1.0%, each

without complying with certain provisions of the Rights
Plan. Each right would entitle each holder of Units (other
than the acquiring person or party) to purchase additional
Units of the Fund at a 50 per cent discount to the market
price  at  the  time. Although  the  Rights  Plan  has  been
conditionally accepted by the Toronto Stock Exchange and
took effect immediately, the Fund will ask its Unitholders to
approve it at the next meeting of Unitholders. The Rights
Plan  will  expire  if Unitholder  approval  is  not  obtained
within six months of December 12, 2006. If approved by
Unitholders, it  will  continue  in  effect  until  the  annual
general meeting of Unitholders in 2010.

9.

Income taxes:

Current
Future

2006

$ 1,054
1,247
$ 2,301

2005

1,323
871
2,194

$

$

Income tax expense differs from that calculated by applying U.S.
federal  and  state  statutory  income  tax  rates  in  effect  in  the
jurisdiction in which a subsidiary of the Fund is subject to tax 
of 39.4% (2005 - 39.4%) to earnings before income taxes for 
the following reasons:

29

Earnings before income tax
Computed tax expenses at 

statutory rate

2006

2005

$ 5,938

$ 15,545

$ 2,340

$

6,125

Income of Fund distributed directly 

to Unitholders

(763)

(3,801)

Income and deductions not 

subject to tax

Deductible state taxes
Other
Taxes paid as a result of 

Subordination Agreement

(386)
(8)
275

(250)
(67)
187

843
$ 2,301

–
2,194

$

Taxes  paid  as  a  result  of Subordination Agreement  represent
additional  taxes  incurred  by  the  Fund  due  to  distributions
having  not  been  made  to  the  non-controlling  interests  on  a
proportional basis.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

30

9. Income taxes (continued)

11. Commitments:

The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions  of the  future  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  at
December 31, 2006 is as follows:

(a) The Fund’s subsidiaries are obligated under various building
and  automobile  operating  leases  that  require  minimum
rental payments in each of the next five years as follows:

Future income tax assets:

Accrued liabilities
Deferred gain on sale-leaseback of 

$

land and building

Inventory
Accounts receivable 
Property, plant and equipment

2006

2005

21

$

196

227
453
272
–
973

253
410
45
35
939

2007
2008
2009
2010
2011

Thereafter

$

7,459
6,018
4,659
2,987
1,085
22,208
1,202
$ 23,410

Future income tax liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Prepaid expenses

Net future income tax liability

(69)
(3,466)
(91)
(3,626)
$ (2,653)

–
(2,200)
(103)
(2,303)
$ (1,364)

On October 31, 2006, proposed legislation was announced by the
Canadian federal government that would subject the Fund to tax
on income of certain of the Fund’s subsidiary operations that are
currently not subject to tax in the Fund. The proposed taxation
changes, if substantively enacted, would require recognition of
future  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  with  a  corresponding
impact on future tax expense (recovery) when so enacted, based
on the temporary differences expected to reverse after the date
the taxation changes take effect. If substantively enacted in the
form  currently  proposed, the  Fund  expects  these  taxation
changes to take effect in 2011.

At  December  31, 2006, the  tax  bases  exceeds  the  reported
amounts  of the  Fund’s  consolidated  assets  and  liabilities  for
entities  that  are  not  subject  to  income  taxes  by  $7,628,000 
(2005 – $5,025,000).

10. Changes in non-cash operating 

working capital:

Accounts receivable
Income taxes recoverable
Inventory
Prepaid expenses
Accounts payable and 
accrued liabilities

$

2006

(122)
(510)
3,070
123

2005

$ (1,054)
314
(6,371)
(625)

(1,672)
889

$

1,542
$ (6,194)

(b) At  December  31, 2006, the  Fund’s  subsidiaries  were
committed  in  the  amount  of $26,222  (US$22,500) 
(2005 - $151,702 (US$130,411)) under letters of credit.

12.Segment disclosure:

Information about geographic areas is as follows:

Revenue from external customers:

Canada
United States

Property, plant and equipment:

Canada
United States

Goodwill
Canada
United States

2006

2005

$109,024
253,504
$362,528

$ 113,359
242,416
$ 355,775

$ 1,156
2,063
$ 3,219

$

$

1,559
1,960
3,519

$ 34,477
54,409
$ 88,886

$ 42,043
54,297
$ 96,340

13.Financial instruments:

(a) Fair values of financial instruments:

The  carrying  values  of cash  and  cash  equivalents, trade
accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities
and distributions payable approximate their fair values due
to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments.
The fair value of long-term receivables is not expected to
differ  materially  from  the  carrying  value. The  carrying
values of the credit facilities approximate their fair values due
to  the  existence  of floating  market  based  interest  rates.
The foreign currency contracts are carried at market values.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

15.Related party transactions:

For  the  year  ended  December  31, 2006, sales  of $1,141,799
(2005 - $2,046,323) were made to affiliates of SIL, and the Fund
made purchases of $77,932 (2005 - $586,549) from affiliates of
SIL.All these sales and purchases took place at prevailing market
prices.

During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Fund expensed
$108,000  (2005  -  $122,384)  for  management  information
systems services provided by affiliates of SIL. This cost is included
in  selling  and  administrative  expense  in  the  consolidated
statement of earnings and retained earnings (deficit).

16.Contingencies:

The Fund and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings that
arise in the ordinary course of its business. Management is of the
opinion, based upon information presently available, that it is
unlikely that any liability, to the extent not provided for through
insurance  or  otherwise, would  be  material  in  relation  to  the
Fund’s consolidated financial statements.

31

(b) Credit risk:

The Fund is exposed to credit risk in the event it is unable 
to  collect  in  full  amounts  receivable  from  its  customers.
The Fund employs established credit approval practices and
engages credit attorneys when appropriate to mitigate the
credit risk. It is the Fund’s policy to secure credit terms with
customers whenever possible by registering security interests
in  the  assets  of the  customer  and  by  obtaining  personal
guarantees. Our  largest  individual  customer  balance
amounted  to  5.7%  of accounts  receivable  and  customer
notes receivable at December 31, 2006.

(c) Counterparty risk:

Changes in the exchange rates and interest rates will result in
market gains and losses on the foreign currency contracts
entered into by the Fund. Furthermore, the Fund may be
exposed  to  losses  should  the  counterparty  to  its  foreign
currency contracts fail to fulfill its obligations. The Fund has
sought  to  minimize  potential  counter  party  losses  by
transacting with high credit quality institutions.

14.Pensions:

Hardwoods  USLP  maintains  a  defined  contribution  401  (k)
retirement savings plan (the “USLP Plan”). The assets of the
USLP  Plan  are  held, and  related  investment  transactions  are
executed, by  the  Plan’s  Trustee, ING  National  Trust, and,
accordingly, are  not  reflected  in  these  consolidated  financial
statements. During  the  year  ended  December  31, 2006,
Hardwoods  USLP  contributed  and  expensed  $394,505
(US$347,826) (2005 - 400,329 (US$330,414)) in relation to the
USLP Plan.

Hardwoods LP does not maintain a pension plan. Hardwoods LP
does, however, administer a group registered retirement savings
plan  (“LP  Plan”)  that  has  a  matching  component  whereby
Hardwoods LP makes contributions to the LP Plan which match
contributions made by employees up to a certain level. The assets
of the LP Plan are held, and related investment transactions are
executed, by LP Plan’s Trustee, Sun Life Financial Trust Inc., and,
accordingly, are  not  reflected  in  these  consolidated  financial
statements. During  the  year  ended  December  31, 2006,
Hardwoods  LP  contributed  and  expensed  $266,153  (2005  -
$266,450) in relation to the LP Plan.

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

THE BEAUTY 
OF HARDWOOD

People love hardwood and find many different ways to bring it into their lives. Whether in
furniture, kitchen cabinets, doors and mouldings, or custom interior millwork, people place
a higher value on products crafted from real wood. It’s a preference that doesn't change
with the whims of fashion.

Demand for hardwood has remained remarkably stable decade after decade, in part because
hardwood has no real substitute. There’s a warmth to the look and touch of hardwood that
no other material can match.

32

HDIF  | 2006   | Annual Report

UNITHOLDER INFORMATION

Trustees
Lawrence I. Bell 
Chair, British Columbia Hydro 
& Power Authority

Directors
Lawrence I. Bell 
Chair, British Columbia Hydro &
Power Authority

Terry M. Holland 
President, Krystal Financial Corp.

Terry M. Holland 
President, Krystal Financial Corp.

Graham M. Wilson
President, Grawil Consultants Inc.

Graham M. Wilson 
President, Grawil Consultants Inc.

E. Lawrence Sauder 
Vice Chair, Sauder Industries Limited

Richard N. McKerracher 
President, Sauder Industries Limited

Officers
Maurice E. Paquette 
President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Robert J. Brown 
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Daniel A. Besen 
Vice President,
California Group

Garry W. Warner 
Vice President,
Northwestern Group

Head Office
#306 - 9440 202nd Street
Langley, BC Canada V1M 4A6

Auditors
KPMG LLP
Vancouver, British Columbia

Telephone: 604 881 1988

Facsimile: 604 881 1995

www.hardwoods-inc.com

Listings
The Toronto Stock Exchange
Trading under HWD.UN

Transfer Agent
Computershare Investor 
Services Inc.

Investor Relations
Rob Brown
Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: 604 881 1990

robbrown@hardwoods-inc.com

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting 
of Hardwoods Distribution 
Income Fund will be held at
The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel,
900 Canada Place Way,
Vancouver, BC 
Monday, May 14, 2007
at 1:30pm