Quarterlytics / Industrials / Paper, Lumber & Forest Products / Interfor

Interfor

ifp · TSX Industrials
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Ticker ifp
Exchange TSX
Sector Industrials
Industry Paper, Lumber & Forest Products
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2015 Annual Report · Interfor
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2015 
Annual Report

CONTENTS   

Financial Highlights  
Message to Shareholders   
Management’s Discussion and Analysis  
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Annual Information Form  

pg 

  3 
  4 
  9 
30 
86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(in millions of dollars, except share and per share amounts) 

2015 

2014 

Financial Summary 
Sales 
Adjusted EBITDA (1) 
Net earnings (loss) 

Per Share Data 
Net earnings (loss) per common share  
         -  basic and diluted 
Price range per share 
  High 
  Low 
Net book value per share 
Operating cash flow per share before working capital 
change 
Weighted average shares outstanding (millions) 

Financial Position 
Total assets 
Total debt  
Total shareholders’ equity 
Invested capital (1) 

Financial Ratios (%) 
Net debt as a % of invested capital, adjusted (1) 
Pre-tax return (loss) on total assets (1) 

Notes: 
(1)  See Glossary for definition. 

  1,687.4 
    91.7 
    (30.4) 

1,447.2 
   169.3 
     40.7 

  (0.44) 

23.34 
  9.12 
  10.36 
  0.96 
  69.5 

  1,389.8 
  468.8 
  725.3 
  1,177.6 

   38.4% 
   (1.9%) 

  0.62 

 22.15 
 13.02 
  9.54 
  2.17 
  66.0 

1,068.5 
  220.4 
  636.5 
  839.0 

 24.1%     
  6.4% 

“Our primary focus in 2016 is to increase the profitability of the operations we’ve 
acquired in the last three years. 

And,  having  dealt  with  Tacoma  and  completed  Castlegar,  we  are  in  a  great 
position  to  use  the  free  cash  flow  we  generate  in  the  next  few  years  to  ‎pursue 
additional value-creating opportunities.” 

Message to Shareholders – February 2016 

For further highlights, please see the Message to Shareholders and Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis on the following pages. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 

Overview 

MESSAGE TO SHAREHOLDERS 

2015 was a challenging year for Interfor.  The realignment of international currency 
values which began in mid-2014 led to a significant drop in product prices and to 
financial results that were well below those achieved in 2013 and 2014. 

In spite of the issues that arose during the year, there were a number of positives 
during the year that will add value to our Company in the years ahead.  Those highlights 
included: 

  We grew our production capacity by one-third with the acquisition of 5 sawmills in 

the U.S.; 

  We rebuilt the Castlegar sawmill; and 
  We supplemented our financial position by raising $63.2 million in new share capital 

and by terming out an additional US$100 million in debt at attractive rates. 

We also acted quickly when the extent of the downturn in product markets became 
apparent.  

From a shareholder standpoint, our share price fell by 36% last year after gains of 68% 
in 2013 and 63% in 2014. 

While the drop in our share price was in line with the experiences of other companies in 
our industry, we don’t take much comfort from that comparison. 

Our goal is to distinguish ourselves from the others and to deliver above average returns 
to our shareholders over time. 

I believe the steps we’ve taken in recent years position Interfor to deliver on that goal. 

More important, the actions we’ve taken in the last six to nine months will make us even 
stronger in the years ahead. 

I invite you to read the material covered in the next few pages and later in this report 
and to form your own views on our progress.  Please feel free to forward any comments 
or questions you might have to me directly at duncan.davies@interfor.com. 

Record Production and Sales Volumes; Financial Results Impacted by Lower 
Prices and Losses at Tacoma 

Interfor continued to grow its business in 2015. 

For the year, lumber production was up 12% to 2.5 billion board feet, with the 
Company’s operations in Canada accounting for 31% of production and our mills in the 
U.S. accounting for 69%. 

Sales volumes, including agency and wholesale activities, were up from 2.3 billion board 
feet to 2.7 billion board feet last year. 

Product prices, however, weakened materially in 2015. 

For the year, the Random Lengths Composite Index, which measures prices for a basket 
of products, came in at US$330 versus US$383 in 2014. 

 
 
 
 
Message to Shareholders 

____________________ 

5 

Western species were particularly hard hit: benchmark SPF 2x4 was down US$71 or 
20% versus 2014 while Hem-Fir 9’ 2x4 studs were off US$93 or 23% year-over-year.  
SYP 2x4 Eastside was off US$36 or 9% compared to 2014. 

In financial terms, the reduction in prices more than offset the benefits of higher 
production and sales volumes. 

All in, Interfor lost $30.4 million after-tax in 2015 on sales of $1.69 billion compared 
with earnings of $40.7 million after-tax in 2014 on sales of $1.45 billion 

The loss in 2015 includes operating losses and closure costs at the Tacoma mill acquired 
earlier in the year from Simpson Lumber Company, LLC (“Simpson”) which totaled $13.2 
million after-tax. 

EBITDA1 reported before one-time items (including the Tacoma closure costs) and 
share-based compensation expenses, came in at $91.7 million versus $169.3 million in 
2014. 

The drop in the value of the Canadian dollar versus its U.S. counterpart (US$0.782 in 
2015 versus US$0.905 in 2014) helped to shelter our Canadian operations from the full 
extent of the drop in product prices in 2015 but left our U.S. operations exposed to the 
downturn. 

Strategic Update 

Interfor has invested actively in recent years to grow our operating platform and to set 
the stage for higher revenues and profitability in the years ahead.  This process 
continued in 2015 with the acquisition of four mills from Simpson in March and another 
mill from The Price Companies, Inc. (“Price”), in June. 

Together, those mills added 850 million board feet to our annual production capacity2.  

All of Interfor’s acquisition work is undertaken using strict criteria and limits on the 
amount of financial exposure we are prepared to accept on a specific transaction or in 
aggregate. 

This discipline proved highly beneficial when product markets turned soft in the spring. 

The acquisition of the mills in Meldrim, Georgia, Georgetown, South Carolina and 
Longview, Washington from Simpson was fairly straightforward, as was the purchase of 
the Monticello mill in Arkansas from Price.  The mills were profitable and in our opinion 
contained significant potential upside.  Equally important, the mills fit nicely within our 
operating platforms in the U.S. South and Northwest. 

The fourth mill acquired from Simpson in Tacoma, Washington, was more of a challenge.  
As we indicated at the time of acquisition, the mill was not profitable and in need of a 
significant turnaround.   

As a result, we designed the Tacoma acquisition using a contingent value structure that 
limited our upfront investment to the purchase of working capital with the ultimate 

1 Refer to definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the Glossary. 
2 After taking account of the closure of the Tacoma mill in July, the net increase in capacity 
attributable to the acquisitions was 575 million board feet, bringing the Company’s total capacity 
to approximately 3.0 billion board feet. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Message to Shareholders 

____________________ 

6 

payment to the vendor tied to the mill’s profitability over a three year period of time, 
subject to a minimum payment of US$10 million. 

When markets deteriorated in the spring we made a decision to curtail the mill and then 
closed it permanently in July when it became apparent the downturn would be more 
severe than we first thought and the mill’s capital needs were more significant than we 
were prepared to undertake. 

Since then, the mill’s log and lumber inventories have been liquidated, its equipment 
and machinery have been sold and agreement has been reached on the sale of the mill 
property. 

The property sale is expected to close mid-year 2016, subject to customary closing 
conditions. 

When completed, the cash proceeds for the monetization of the Tacoma assets are 
expected to exceed the total of the operating losses and exit costs associated with the 
facility.  The gain on the sale of the property will be recorded on our books when the 
property sale closes. 

Castlegar Rebuild Completed; Results Ahead of Schedule 

In November 2014 we announced a $50 million upgrade to our mill at Castlegar in the 
B.C. Interior. 

The project converted the mill from a 3-line operation to a 2-line facility using 
technology similar to that employed at our mills at Adams Lake, Grand Forks and Port 
Angeles. The main elements of construction were completed in late September and the 
mill resumed operations in the first week of October. 

I’m very pleased to report that the start-up of the mill has gone very well.  Productivity 
in the first three months of operation averaged 83% of target proforma and lumber 
recovery and product quality are ahead of expectations. 

Productivity has continued to ramp up since the end of the year, averaging 102% of 
proforma in January. 

Everything we see at Castlegar indicates that we have a real “winner” on our hands and 
we’re looking for big things from the mill in the years ahead. 

Balance Sheet Remains Strong 

Maintaining a strong balance sheet is, we believe, one of the keys to success in a 
business like ours and we have always brought the same kind of discipline to our 
financing arrangements as we have in our investment and acquisition work. 

In 2015 we took advantage of opportunities to raise additional equity capital and to term 
out an additional US$100 million in debt. 

The equity issue involved the sales of 3.3 million shares at a price of $20.10 per share, 
and raised $63.2 million, net of underwriter’s commission and other issue costs. 

The debt issue was comprised of 10 year senior secured notes at a fixed rate of 4.17%. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Message to Shareholders 

____________________ 

7 

At year-end, Interfor had net debt outstanding of $452.3 million representing a net debt 
to invested capital ratio of 38.4%. 

Subsequent to year-end, we took steps to further solidify our financing arrangements by 
extending the maturity dates of our Canadian Credit Facilities to May 19, 2019. 

Senior Management Group Re-aligned 

In December, Interfor’s senior management group was re-aligned with the appointment 
of Ian Fillinger as Head of Operations. 

Ian joined Interfor in 2005 and has held a series of progressively more senior positions 
since that time.  He played an important role in the design, construction and operation 
of the Adams Lake mill and most recently served as Senior Vice President, Canadian 
Operations where he was responsible for our B.C. Coast and Interior and Operations 
including the rebuild project at Castlegar. 

In his new role, Ian will assume responsibilities for all of the Company’s operations and 
capital projects activity.   

We were also fortunate last year to add Bart Bender in the role of Senior Vice President, 
Sales & Marketing.  Bart is a 25 year veteran of the building materials industry, having 
served in a number of senior roles at Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd.  

Along with the other members of our senior management group, Ian and Bart share a 
mandate to drive improvements in performance throughout our operating platform and 
to ensure a consistent and focused approach in management philosophy and capital 
allocation across our three operating regions. 

Tom Milroy Appointed to Board of Directors 

At its meeting in February 2016, Interfor’s Board of Directors appointed Tom Milroy of 
Toronto, Ontario as a director of the Company. 

Mr. Milroy, who is 60, retired from the BMO Financial Group (“BMO”) in January 2015.  
Over 21 years with BMO, Tom held a number of senior positions with that firm’s 
investment banking group, serving from March 2008 to December 2014 as CEO of BMO 
Capital Markets where he was responsible for all of BMO’s business involving corporate, 
institutional and government clients globally. 

Tom has a wealth of experience in forestry related advisory and financing work.  We are 
delighted to have him on board and expect him to make a big contribution to our 
Company in the years ahead.  

Tom has been nominated to stand for election as a director at the Company’s Annual 
General Meeting in April. 

Business Outlook Improving; Vision Remains Intact 

Positive signs continue to emerge in the U.S. laying the foundation for better market 
conditions in 2016 and beyond. 

Our primary focus in 2016 is to increase the profitability of the operations we've 
acquired in the last three years. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Message to Shareholders 

____________________ 

8 

And, having dealt with Tacoma and completed Castlegar, we are in a great position to 
use the free cash flow we generate in the next few years to ‎pursue additional value-
creating opportunities. 

In closing, I would like to thank our employees and Board of Directors for their 
contributions and support over the course of the year. 

I remain convinced we are on track to build significant value for our shareholders and 
other stakeholders in the years ahead. 

Duncan Davies 
President & CEO 
February 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 

Prepared as of February 11, 2016 

9 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) provides a review of financial condition and results 
of operations as at and for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 (“Q4’15” and “2015”, 
respectively).  It should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of 
Interfor Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Interfor” or the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 
2015, and the notes thereto which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  This MD&A contains certain non-GAAP measures which, within the Non-
GAAP Measures section, are discussed, defined and reconciled to figures reported in the Company’s 
consolidated financial statements.  This MD&A has been prepared as of February 11, 2016.    

All figures are stated in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise noted, and references to US$/USD are to the 
United States Dollar.  For definitions of technical terms and abbreviations used within this MD&A, refer to 
the Glossary in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report. 

Forward-Looking Statements  

This MD&A contains forward-looking statements that address or discuss activities, events or 
developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future.  Forward-
looking statements are included under the headings “Overview of 2015”, “Outlook”, “Liquidity”, 
“Capital Resources”, “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”, “Financial Instruments and Other 
Instruments”, “Accounting Policy Changes” and “Risks and Uncertainties”.  These forward-
looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and beliefs and are based on 
certain assumptions including those related to general business and economic conditions in 
Canada, the U.S., Japan and China, and assessment of risks as described under “Risks and 
Uncertainties”.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and no 
assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by such statements will occur or, if 
they do occur, what benefit the Company will derive from them, if any.  A number of factors 
could cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those 
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including those matters described 
under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” and in Interfor’s current Annual Information Form 
available on www.sedar.com.  Accordingly, readers should exercise caution in relying upon 
forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise them 
to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. 

Overview of 2015 

Q4’15 Results 

Interfor recorded Adjusted EBITDA of $35.8 million in Q4’15 versus $11.5 million in Q3’15 and 
$37.4 million in Q4’14.  The Company’s results in Q4’15 reflect the benefits of higher prices 
and progress on a number of key business initiatives.  Highlights for the quarter include: 

  Higher Lumber Prices 

o  Key product benchmark prices strengthened throughout Q4’15 as the market 

adjusted to production curtailments in a number of regions, greater stability in 
Chinese demand and an extended fall buying period in North America due to 
favourable weather. 

  Weaker Canadian Dollar 

o  The Canadian Dollar weakened against the U.S. Dollar, averaging $0.749 in Q4’15 
versus $0.764 in Q3’15, resulting in favourable currency translations of U.S. Dollar 
revenues. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

10 

____________________ 

  Castlegar Mill Re-Start 

o  The Castlegar sawmill modernization project commenced start-up procedures on 

October 5th.  Productivity and product quality were ahead of expectations 
throughout the quarter, resulting in a positive earnings contribution in Q4’15 versus 
a negative contribution in Q3’15. 

  Tacoma Sawmill Monetization 

o  Monetization of the former Tacoma sawmill assets progressed well in Q4’15, with: 

(i) the sale of the remaining log and lumber inventories; (ii) a successful auction of 
machinery, equipment and parts; and (iii) the signing of an agreement to sell the 
mill property.  Cash proceeds from the monetization of assets are expected to 
exceed the total of the operating losses, exit costs and remaining asset value 
associated with the facility, with the property sale expected to close in mid-2016 
subject to customary closing conditions. 

  Free Cash Flow Generation and Debt Reduction with Increased Liquidity 

o 

Interfor generated $46.1 million in cash from operations after considering working 
capital changes.  During Q4’15, the Company’s net debt position expressed in U.S. 
Dollars dropped from US$344.5 million to US$326.8 million. 

o  On February 9, 2016, Interfor extended the maturity dates of its Canadian 

Operating Line and Revolving Term Line to May 19, 2019, which improved liquidity 
and enhanced financial flexibility.  At December 31, 2015, the Company’s net debt 
to invested capital ratio was 38.4% and available liquidity would have been $147.0 
million after considering the revised credit terms, versus $103.3 million at 
September 30, 2015. 

In Q4’15, Interfor recorded sales of $411.4 million and a net loss of $3.5 million, or $0.05 per 
share, compared with net losses of $6.1 million and $5.2 million in Q3’15 and Q4’14, 
respectively.  Adjusted net earnings in the fourth quarter were $5.5 million, or $0.08 per 
share, compared with an adjusted net loss of $15.4 million and adjusted net earnings of $10.2 
million in Q3’15 and Q4’14, respectively. 

Significant Financings, Investments & Operational Changes 

On January 27, 2015, Interfor closed a bought deal public offering of subscription receipts (the 
“Subscription Receipts”) through a syndicate of underwriters.  The Company issued an 
aggregate of 3,300,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $20.10 per Subscription Receipt, for 
aggregate gross proceeds of $66.3 million (the “Offering”).  Each Subscription Receipt entitled 
the holder thereof, for no additional consideration and without further action, to one Common 
share of the Company upon closing of the acquisition of four sawmills from Simpson Lumber 
Company, LLC (“Simpson”).  Net proceeds of the Offering were used to partially fund this 
acquisition. 

On March 1, 2015, Interfor completed its acquisition of four sawmills and associated working 
capital from Simpson.  The sawmills are located in Tacoma, Washington; Longview, 
Washington; Meldrim, Georgia and Georgetown, South Carolina and fit within the Company’s 
existing operating infrastructure.   

On March 16, 2015, the Company completed a US$100 million term debt financing of Senior 
Secured Notes with Prudential Capital Group.  The Senior Secured Notes carry an annual 
interest rate of 4.17% and have a final maturity of March 26, 2026.  The proceeds were used 
to reduce the drawings under the Company’s Revolving Term Line.  In conjunction with this 
financing, Interfor decreased the credit available under its Revolving Term Line from $250 
million to $200 million, without change to other terms and conditions. 

 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

11 

____________________ 

On April 27, 2015, Interfor extended the maturity date of its U.S. Operating Line from April 28, 
2015, to May 1, 2017, and increased the credit available under that line from US$30 million to 
US$50 million to provide enhanced financial flexibility.  All other terms and conditions remain 
substantially unchanged. 

On May 22, 2015, Interfor curtailed operations at its Tacoma sawmill as a result of challenging 
lumber and log market conditions.  Following a comprehensive strategic review, the Company 
announced its decision on July 30, 2015, to exit the mill.   The Tacoma sawmill accounted for 
47 million board feet of production in 2015 since acquisition. 

On June 19, 2015, Interfor closed its acquisition of a sawmill and associated working capital in 
Monticello, Arkansas, from Price Lumber Company.  This acquisition increased Interfor’s U.S. 
South capacity to 1.3 billion board feet and raised the proportion of Interfor’s total capacity in 
the U.S. South to more than 40%.   

Markets and Pricing 

Each of the key benchmark prices for SYP East 2x4, Western SPF 2x4, and HF Stud 9’ 2x4 
rebounded from 2015 low points in September to post successive monthly gains through the 
end of 2015. 

Market related production curtailments and severe weather events in the U.S. South impacted 
supply to the benefit of Southern Yellow Pine prices during the fourth quarter.  The SYP East 
2x4 benchmark rebounded from US$317 per mfbm in September, increasing significantly 
throughout Q4’15 to US$413 per mfbm in December.  The average benchmark price for Q4’15 
was US$400 per mfbm, or $69 per mfbm higher than Q3’15.   

The HF Stud 9’ 2x4 benchmark increased from US$274 per mfbm in September and gained 
throughout the fourth quarter to end the year at US$302 per mfbm in December.  The average 
benchmark price for Q4’15 was US$294 per mfbm, or US$9 per mfbm lower than Q3’15.   

The Western SPF 2x4 benchmark rebounded from US$245 per mfbm in September to US$269 
per mfbm in December, with modest monthly gains throughout the fourth quarter.  The 
average benchmark price for Q4’15 was US$263 per mfbm, or US$6 per mfbm lower than 
Q3’15.   

Production 

Lumber production of 568 million board feet in Q4’15 was 50 million board feet lower than the 
preceding quarter and 10 million board feet lower than Q4’14.   

Production from the Company’s nine U.S. South sawmills totaled 243 million board feet in 
Q4’15, down 44 million board feet compared to Q3’15.  The lower production level in Q4’15 
reflects temporary market-related adjustments to operating schedules across the U.S. South 
platform and severe weather events which impacted the Georgetown sawmill most 
significantly. 

Canadian production totaled 186 million board feet in Q4’15, up 5 million board feet as 
compared to Q3’15.  The increase in Canadian production primarily reflects the start-up of the 
Castlegar sawmill in the quarter partially offset by reduced operating hours at the other 
Interfor mills in the region.  In Q4’15, Interfor shipped approximately 90 million board feet of 
lumber to U.S. markets from its B.C. sawmills, which represents approximately 15% of 
Interfor’s total current quarterly production.  Export duties applied pursuant to the Softwood 
Lumber Agreement (“SLA”) expired on October 12, 2015.  The SLA includes a standstill 
provision which precludes the U.S. from bringing trade action against Canadian softwood 
lumber producers for a 12 month period following expiry of the agreement.  Export taxes on 
lumber shipments from Canada into the U.S. were negligible in Q4’15. 

 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

12 

____________________ 

Production from the Company’s U.S. Northwest operations totaled 139 million board feet in 
Q4’15, representing a decline of 11 million board feet from the prior quarter.  This decline was 
due to fewer operating hours at each of the Company’s four mills in the region. 

Outlook 

Interfor expects demand for lumber to continue to grow over the mid-term as the U.S. housing 
market recovers and market promotion efforts in North America and offshore take full effect.   
In addition, the Company is focused on a series of targeted initiatives related to margin 
improvement opportunities across its operations in both the U.S. and Canada that should 
contribute to Interfor’s financial results. 

Interfor’s strategy of maintaining a diversified portfolio of lumber operations allows the 
Company to both reduce risk and maximize returns on invested capital over the business cycle.  
Interfor will continue its disciplined approach to production, cost control, inventory 
management and capital spending.  At the same time, Interfor will remain alert to growth 
opportunities to position the Company for long term success. 

Financial and Operating Highlights (1)   

Notes: 

(1)  Figures in this table may not equal or sum to figures presented elsewhere due to rounding. 
(2)  Financial information presented for interim periods in this MD&A is prepared in accordance with IFRS and is 

unaudited. 

(3)  Refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section of this MD&A for definitions and reconciliations of this measure to 

figures reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

(4)  Gross sales before export taxes. 

Unit20152014201520142013Financial Highlights(2)Total sales$MM411.4 389.0 1,687.4 1,447.2 1,105.2 Lumber$MM325.0 318.6 1,361.2 1,177.3 872.3 Logs, residual products and other$MM86.4 70.4 326.2 269.9 232.9 Operating earnings (loss)$MM(6.3)(1.1)(35.9)36.1 52.5 Net earnings (loss)$MM(3.5)          (5.2)(30.4)40.7 42.2 Net earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted$/share(0.05)        (0.08)(0.44)0.62 0.73 Adjusted net earnings (loss)(3)$MM5.5           10.2 (20.0)62.3 60.7         Adjusted net earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted(3)$/share0.08         0.15 (0.29)0.94 1.05         Adjusted EBITDA(3)$MM35.8         37.4 91.7 169.3 134.0 Adjusted EBITDA margin(3)%8.7%9.6%5.4%11.7%12.1%Total assets$MM1,389.8    1,068.5 1,389.8 1,068.5 824.1 Total debt$MM468.8       220.4 468.8 220.4 145.5 Pre-tax return on total assets(3)%(1.0%)(0.1%)(1.9%)6.4%7.3%Net debt to invested capital(3)%38.4%24.1%38.4%24.1%21.5%Operating HighlightsLumber productionmillion fbm568 578 2,497 2,222 1,725 Total lumber salesmillion fbm615 620 2,652 2,282 1,761      Lumber sales - Interfor producedmillion fbm586 605 2,544 2,217 1,701      Lumber sales - wholesale and commissionmillion fbm29 15 108 65 60 Lumber - average selling price(4)$/thousand fbm529514513 516 495 For the year ended December 31,For the 3 months ended December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

13 

____________________ 

Summary of Fourth Quarter 2015 Financial Performance 

Sales 

Interfor recorded $411.4 million of total sales, up 5.8% from $389.0 million in the fourth 
quarter of 2014, driven by the sale of 615 million board feet of lumber at an average price of 
$529 per mfbm.  Lumber sales volume decreased 5 million board feet, or 0.8%, while average 
selling price increased $15 per thousand board feet, or 2.9%, as compared to the same 
quarter of 2014. 

Lumber sales volume in the U.S. market grew by 32 million board feet, or 7.2% over the 
fourth quarter, 2014.  This growth is mostly attributable to sales from U.S. located sawmills 
acquired in the first half of 2015.  Offsetting the growth in U.S. sales was a reduction of 29 
million board feet, or 42.7%, and 13 million board feet, or 21.7%, sold to markets in China 
and Canada, respectively.    

The increase in the average selling price of lumber reflects the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar 
against the Canadian Dollar by 17.7% on average, partially offset by lower benchmark prices 
in U.S. Dollar terms across all key species as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.    

Sales generated from logs, residual products and other increased by $16.0 million or 22.7% 
compared to the same quarter of 2014.  Nearly all of this increase is related to the disposal of 
log inventories at the Tacoma sawmill in Q4’15, higher chip prices and the strengthened U.S. 
Dollar.   

Operations 

Production costs increased by $23.0 million or 6.7% over the fourth quarter of 2014, explained 
primarily by the impact of a weaker Canadian Dollar as noted above. 

Depreciation of plant and equipment was $18.5 million, up 25.7% from the fourth quarter of 
2014.  The majority of this increase is explained by the inclusion of depreciation on sawmills 
acquired in the first half of 2015, partially offset by lower operating rates at several sawmills. 

Depletion and amortization of timber, roads and other was $10.7 million, up 23.4% from the 
comparable quarter of 2014.  The majority of this increase reflects higher rates of road 
amortization within the Company’s B.C. Coastal logging division, due to production from camps 
with higher road costs.   

Corporate and Other 

Selling and administration expenses were $10.2 million, up $1.3 million from the fourth 
quarter of 2014.  This increase reflects the growth of Interfor’s operations through the 
acquisition of five sawmills in first half of 2015.   

The $9.3 million long term incentive compensation expense mostly reflects the impact of a 
49.0% increase in the market price for Interfor Common Shares during the quarter.   

Export taxes were negligible in Q4’15 in respect of lumber shipments from the Company’s 
Canadian operations to the U.S. because of the expiration of the SLA on October 12, 2015.  
The duty rate was 0% throughout the comparable quarter of 2014. 

In Q4’15, the Company took an impairment charge recorded in Restructuring costs of $2.9 
million on equipment to be replaced in 2016 as a result of changes to government regulations. 

Finance costs increased to $5.5 million from $2.3 million in the fourth quarter, 2014.  
Financing the acquisition of five sawmills and capital improvements through borrowings in 
2015 contributed to a higher average level of debt outstanding in Q4’15 as compared to Q4’14. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

14 

____________________ 

Other income increased by $0.9 million in Q4’15, primarily as the result of the sale of timber 
tenures in the B.C. Interior. 

Income Taxes 

The Company recorded an income tax recovery of $6.9 million in Q4’15, comprised of a $0.3 
million current tax expense and a $7.2 million deferred tax recovery, mainly in respect of its 
U.S. operations. 

Net Earnings (Loss) 

The Company recorded a net loss of $3.5 million or $0.05 per share, compared to a net loss of 
$5.2 million or $0.08 per share in the comparable period, 2014.  Adjusted Net Earnings were 
$5.5 million or $0.08 per share compared with $10.2 million or $0.15 per share in Q4’14.   

Summary of 2015 Financial Performance 

Sales 

Interfor recorded $1.7 billion in total sales, up 16.6% from $1.4 billion in 2014, driven by the 
sale of 2.7 billion board feet of lumber at an average price of $513 per mfbm.  Lumber sales 
volume increased 370 million board feet, or 16.2%, while average selling price declined $3 per 
thousand board feet, or 0.6%, as compared to 2014. 

The growth in lumber sales volume was primarily in the U.S., where sales increased by 485 
million board feet or 30.6% over 2014.  This growth is mostly attributable to the impact of 
seven sawmills acquired since March 14, 2014.  Partially offsetting this growth in U.S. sales 
was a 110 million board foot, or 38.4%, reduction in volume sold to China.   

The decline in the average selling price of lumber reflects lower benchmark prices in U.S. 
Dollar terms for key species as compared to 2014, partially offset by the strengthening of the 
U.S. Dollar against the Canadian Dollar by 15.8% on average.   

Sales generated from logs, residual products and other increased by $56.3 million or 20.9% 
compared to 2014.  Nearly all of this increase is related to wood chips and other residual 
products as a result of higher lumber production, the disposal of log inventories at the exited 
Tacoma sawmill and the stronger U.S. Dollar. 

Operations 

Production costs increased by $311.5 million or 25.1% as compared to 2014, explained 
primarily by the 16.2% increase in lumber sales volume, higher costs at the Company’s 
Canadian operations and the stronger U.S. Dollar as noted above.   

Depreciation of plant and equipment was $71.5 million, up 29.6% from 2014.  The majority of 
this increase is explained by the inclusion of depreciation on seven sawmills acquired since 
March 14, 2014 and the stronger U.S. Dollar.   

Depletion and amortization of timber, roads and other was $37.5 million, up 29.6% as 
compared with 2014.  The majority of this increase reflects higher rates of road amortization 
within the Company’s B.C. Coastal logging division, due to production from camps with higher 
road costs, and a full period of amortization of a non-competition agreement associated with 
the acquisition of two sawmills on March 14, 2014.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

15 

____________________ 

Corporate and Other 

Selling and administration expenses were $46.8 million, up $11.3 million from 2014.  This 
increase reflects the growth of Interfor’s operations with the acquisition of seven sawmills since 
March 14, 2014 and the stronger U.S. Dollar.  The Company incurred $2.1 million of non-
recurring acquisition and integration costs, which represents an increase of $0.5 million over 
similar costs incurred in 2014. 

The $5.4 million long term incentive compensation recovery in 2015 mainly reflects a 36.0% 
decrease in the market price of Interfor Common Shares over the same period, partially offset 
by the impact of incentive awards maturing.   

Export taxes of $5.2 million were incurred in respect of lumber shipments from the Company’s 
Canadian operations to the U.S. under the SLA.  The duty rate averaged just over 6% for the 
first nine and a half months of 2015 until the SLA expired on October 12, 2015.  The duty rate 
was 0% throughout 2014. 

In the first quarter, 2015, Interfor sold substantially all of the assets of its Beaver-Forks 
operation, located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, resulting in a reversal of a $1.2 
million impairment recorded in 2014. 

On July 30, 2015, the Company announced a plan to exit the Tacoma sawmill and recorded 
related restructuring charges of $10.1 million, including severance, an onerous contract, site 
closure costs and write-downs of inventories.  Inventory write-downs reflect extraordinary 
declines in fair value subsequent to the decision date.   

In Q4’15, the Company took an impairment charge recorded in Restructuring costs of $2.8 
million on equipment to be replaced in 2016 as a result of changes to government regulations. 

Finance costs increased to $17.6 million from $8.9 million in 2014.  Financing the acquisition of 
seven sawmills since March 14, 2014, and capital improvements through borrowings 
contributed to a higher average level of debt outstanding in 2015. 

Other foreign exchange loss of $1.7 million is comprised primarily of foreign exchange losses 
on foreign exchange forward contracts.   

Other income of $0.8 million is comprised primarily of the gain on sale of timber tenures in the 
B.C. Interior in Q4’15. 

Income Taxes 

The Company recorded an income tax recovery of $24.0 million in 2015, comprised of $0.6 
million of current taxes net of a $24.6 million deferred tax recovery, mainly in respect of its 
U.S. operations. 

Net Earnings (Loss) 

The Company recorded a net loss of $30.4 million or $0.44 per share, compared to net 
earnings of $40.7 million or $0.62 per share in 2014.  Adjusted Net Earnings were $(20.0) 
million or $(0.29) per share compared with $62.3 million or $0.94 per share in 2014.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

16 

____________________ 

Summary of Quarterly Results(1)  

Notes: 

(1) Figures in this table may not add due to rounding. 
(2) Refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section of this MD&A for definitions and reconciliations of this measure to 

figures reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

(3) Gross sales before export taxes. 
(4) Based on Bank of Canada foreign exchange rates. 

The Company’s quarterly financial trends are most impacted by seasonality, levels of lumber 
production, log costs, market prices for lumber and the USD/CAD foreign currency exchange 
rate. 

Logging operations are seasonal due to a number of factors including weather, ground 
conditions and fire season closures.  Generally, the Company’s B.C. Coastal logging operations 
experience higher production levels in the latter half of the first quarter, throughout the second 
and third quarters and in the first half of the fourth quarter.  Logging activity in the B.C. 
Interior is generally higher in the first half of the first quarter, slows during spring break-up 
and increases in the third and fourth quarters.  Sawmill operations are dependent on the 
availability of logs from our logging operations and our suppliers.  In addition, the market 
demand for lumber and related products is generally lower in the winter due to reduced 
construction and renovation activities, which increase during the spring, summer and fall.   

Two sawmills acquired on March 14, 2014, four sawmills acquired on March 1, 2015, and one 
sawmill acquired on June 19, 2015, have all contributed to the growth in production and sales.  
The permanent closures of the Beaver sawmill and Tacoma sawmill impacted production and 
sales subsequent to June 30, 2014, and May 22, 2015, respectively. 

The volatility of the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar also impacted results.  A weaker 
Canadian Dollar increases the lumber sales realizations of Canadian operations and increases 
net earnings or losses of U.S. operations when translated to Canadian Dollars.   

UnitQ4Q3Q2Q1Q4Q3Q2Q1Financial Performance (Unaudited)Total sales$MM411.4 430.8 429.7 415.4 389.0 373.1 390.2 294.8 Lumber$MM325.0 343.3 352.2 340.7 318.6 303.0 325.2 230.4 Logs, residual products and other$MM86.4 87.5 77.5 74.7 70.4 70.1 65.0 64.4 Operating earnings (loss)$MM(6.3)(11.6)(25.8)7.8 (1.1)20.1 3.8 13.3 Net earnings (loss)$MM(3.5)(6.1)(20.6)(0.2)(5.2)11.0 7.4 27.5 Net earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted$/share(0.05)(0.09)(0.29)(0.00)(0.08)0.16 0.11 0.43 Adjusted net earnings (loss)(2)$MM5.5 (15.4)(14.7)4.5 10.2 16.1 21.0 15.0 Adjusted net earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted(2)$/share0.08 (0.22)(0.21)0.07 0.15 0.24 0.31 0.24 Adjusted EBITDA(2)$MM35.8 11.5 12.7 31.8 37.4 45.4 47.3 39.2 Shares outstanding - end of periodmillion70.0 70.0 70.0 70.0 66.7 66.7 66.7 66.7 Shares outstanding - weighted averagemillion70.0 70.0 70.0 67.8 66.7 66.7 66.7 63.8 Operating PerformanceLumber productionmillion fbm568618672639578567582495Total lumber salesmillion fbm615686719632620595628439     Lumber sales - Interfor producedmillion fbm586663688607605581607424     Lumber sales - wholesale and commissionmillion fbm2923312515142115Lumber - average selling price(3)$/thousand fbm529500490539514509518525Average USD/CAD exchange rate(4)1 USD in CAD1.33541.30891.22971.24121.13501.08901.09051.1033Closing USD/CAD exchange rate(4)1 USD in CAD1.38401.33941.24741.26831.16011.12081.06761.105320152014 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

17 

____________________ 

Liquidity 

Balance Sheet 

Net debt at December 31, 2015 was $452.3 million, or 38.4% of invested capital, representing 
an increase of $249.8 million over the level of debt at December 31, 2014.  Revaluation of U.S. 
Dollar denominated debt into Canadian Dollars resulted in an increase of $65.4 million in 2015 
over 2014 due to a 19.3% decline in the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar.  In Q4’15, 
the 3.3% decline in the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar resulted in an increase of $14.6 
million in net debt, despite a decline of US$7.3 million in U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings. 

As at December 31, 2015, the Company had net working capital of $168.9 million and available 
liquidity of $112.1 million, including cash and borrowing capacity on operating and term 
facilities.   

On February 9, 2016, the Company extended the maturity of its Operating Line and Revolving 
Term Line from February 27, 2017 to May 19, 2019.  Certain other terms were also changed, 
resulting in an increase in the maximum borrowing available under the financing agreement.  
Based on the revised terms, available liquidity would have been $147.0 million as at December 
31, 2015. 

These resources, in addition to cash generated from operations, will be used to support working 
capital requirements, debt servicing commitments and capital expenditures.  We believe that 
Interfor will have sufficient liquidity to fund operating and capital requirements for the 
foreseeable future.     

Cash Flow from Operating Activities 

The Company generated $66.8 million of cash flow from operations before changes in working 
capital in 2015, down $76.1 million over 2014.  Incremental cash flow generated from 
increased sales was offset by reduced sales margin, and increases of $11.3 million and $5.2 
million to selling and administration costs and export taxes, respectively.  

There was a net cash inflow from operations after changes in working capital of $101.4 million 
in 2015, with $34.5 million of cash generated from operating working capital.  In 2014, $18.8 
million of cash was generated from operating working capital, leading to $161.8 million of total 
cash generated from operations.   

Thousands of dollars2015201420152014Net debtNet debt, period opening, CAD461,474$        203,570$      202,553$       140,762$      Net drawing (repayment)‎ on credit facilities, CAD(19,207)          (16,945)        182,949         59,428          Impact on USD denominated debt from weakening CAD14,592           7,600           65,391          15,512          (Increase) decrease in cash and equivalents, CAD(4,556)           8,328           1,410            (13,149)        Net debt, period ending, CAD452,303$        202,553$      452,303$       202,553$      Net debt components by currencyUS Dollar debt, period opening, USD345,957$        205,000$      190,000$       135,900$      Net drawing (repayment) on credit facilities, USD(7,258)           (15,000)        148,699         54,100          US Dollar debt, period ending, USD338,699$        190,000$      338,699         190,000        Spot rate, period end1.3840          1.1601          US Dollar debt expressed in CAD468,759         220,419        Cash and cash equivalents, CAD(16,456)         (17,866)        Net debt, period ending, CAD452,303$       202,553$      For the 3 months ended December 31,For the year ended December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

18 

____________________ 

Cash Flow from Investing Activities 

Investing activities totaled $333.3 million in 2015, including $170.8 million for the Simpson 
acquisition, $43.7 million for the Monticello acquisition, $8.7 million for payment of the 
contingent purchase price to Keadle Lumber Enterprises Inc., $95.3 million for property, plant 
and equipment and timber licences and other intangibles and $26.1 million for development of 
logging roads.  Discretionary mill improvements of $71.5 million during the period included 
$43.9 million for the Castlegar sawmill rebuild. 

In 2014, total investing activities of $200.9 million included $124.4 million for the acquisition 
of Tolleson Ilim Lumber Company, and $51.7 million for property, plant and equipment and 
$26.7 million for development of logging roads.   

Cash Flow from Financing Activities 

Net drawings on the Company’s credit facilities were $182.9 million and net proceeds from 
issuance of 3.3 million shares were $63.2 million, leading to total cash from financing activities 
of $229.7 million in 2015.  This includes $151.3 million drawn on the Company’s credit 
facilities to fund the Simpson and Monticello acquisitions.     

In 2014, net drawings on the Company’s credit facilities were $59.4 million with total cash 
from financing activities of $51.5 million.   

Summary of Contractual Obligations 

The estimated cash payments due in respect of contractual and legal obligations as at 
December 31, 2015, including major capital improvements are summarized as follows:  

Note: (1) Figures in this table may not add due to rounding.  

 (2) On February 9, 2016, the Company extended the maturities of its Operating Line and Revolving Term Line 

from February 27, 2017 to May 19, 2019. 

Capital Resources 

The following table summarizes Interfor’s credit facilities and availability as of December 31, 
2015: 

Payments due by PeriodUp to 2-34-5 After 5Thousands of Canadian dollarsTotal1 YearYearsYearsYearsTrade accounts payable and accrued liabilities114,325$ 114,325$ - $          - $          - $          Income taxes payable398 398 - - - Reforestation liability37,848 11,052 8,054 8,692 10,050 Long term debt(2)468,759 - 191,959 - 276,800 Provisions and other liabilities41,378 15,315 6,032 1,813 18,218 Operating leases and capital commitments42,620 19,310 12,910 7,260 3,140 Total obligations (1)705,328$ 160,400$ 218,955$ 17,765$   308,208$ RevolvingSeniorU.S.OperatingTermSecuredOperatingThousands of Canadian dollarsLineLineNotesLineTotalAvailable line of credit65,000$   200,000$  276,800$  69,200$   611,000$  Maximum borrowing available62,820$   183,723$  276,800$  69,200$   592,543$  Less: Drawings- 179,920 276,800 12,039 468,759 Outstanding letters of credit included in line utilization9,396 - - 2,290 11,686 Unused portion of facility53,424$   3,803$     -             54,871$   112,098$   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

19 

____________________ 

As at December 31, 2015, maximum borrowings available under the Company’s Operating Line 
and Revolving Term Line were restricted by a financial covenant in the underlying credit 
agreement.  In the table above, this limitation has been applied to the Operating Line and 
Revolving Term Line limits.   

As stated above, based on the revised terms, available liquidity would have been $147.0 
million as at December 31, 2015. 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had commitments for capital expenditures totaling 
$7.8 million, related to both maintenance and discretionary capital projects.   

Transactions between Related Parties 

Other than transactions in the normal course of business with key management personnel, the 
Company had no transactions between related parties in the year ended December 31, 2015.   

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

The Company has off-balance sheet arrangements which include letters of credit and surety 
performance bonds, primarily for timber purchases.  At December 31, 2015, such instruments 
aggregated $47.4 million (December 31, 2014 - $30.9 million).  Off-balance sheet 
arrangements have not had, and are not reasonably likely to have, any material impact on the 
Company’s current or future financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. 

Financial Instruments and Other Instruments 

From time to time, the Company employs financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps 
and foreign currency forward and option contracts, to manage exposure to fluctuations in 
interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.  The Company’s policy is not to use 
derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.  Risk management strategies and relationships 
are formally documented and assessed on a regular, ongoing basis to ensure derivatives are 
effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.  The counter-
parties for all derivative contracts are the Company’s Canadian bankers who are highly-rated, 
thereby mitigating the risk of credit loss on such instruments.   

Interest Rate Swaps 

As at December 31, 2015, Interfor had drawn a total of $192.0 million of floating rate debt, 
excluding letters of credit, from its Revolving Term Line and U.S. Operating Line.  The 
Company’s facilities bear interest at the bank prime rate plus a premium, or, at the Company's 
option, at rates for Bankers' Acceptances for Canadian Dollar loans or at LIBOR for U.S. Dollar 
loans, in all cases dependent upon a financial ratio.   

The Company has four interest rate swaps outstanding.  On March 25, 2013, the Company 
entered into two interest rate swaps, each with a notional value of US$25.0 million maturing 
on February 27, 2017.  Under the terms of these swaps, the Company pays an amount based 
a fixed annual interest rate of 0.84% and receives payment based on 90 day LIBOR which is 
recalculated at set interval dates. 

On April 14, 2014, the Company entered into two interest rate swaps, each with a notional 
value of US$25.0 million maturing on April 14, 2016.  Under the terms of these swaps, the 
Company pays an amount based a fixed annual interest rate of 0.58% and receives payment 
based on 90 day LIBOR which is recalculated at set interval dates. 

These interest rate swaps convert a portion of the Company’s floating-rate interest expense to 
fixed-rate interest expense and have been designated as cash flow hedges.  The fair value of 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

20 

____________________ 

these interest rate swaps at December 31, 2015, being an asset of $0.1 million (measured 
based on Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy), has been recorded in Trade accounts receivable 
and other (2014 - $0.1 million) and a loss of $0.1 million (2014 – nil) has been recognized in 
Other comprehensive income. 

Based on the Company’s average debt level during 2015, the sensitivity of a 100 basis point 
increase in interest rates would result in an approximate decrease of $0.1 million in Net loss. 

Foreign Currency Contracts 

The Company is exposed to currency risk on cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, 
accounts payable and provisions and long term debt that are denominated in a currency other 
than the respective functional currencies of the Company’s domestic and foreign operations, 
primarily Canadian and U.S. Dollars, but also the Euro, Sterling and Yen.  The Company uses 
foreign currency exchange forward, collar and option contracts to manage its currency risk 
from time to time.  The Company routinely assesses its foreign exchange exposure by 
reviewing outstanding contracts, pending order files and working capital denominated in 
foreign currencies. 

As at December 31, 2015, the Company had no outstanding forward currency exchange 
contract obligations (2014 - $0.2 million liability recorded in Trade accounts payable and 
provisions).  All foreign currency gains or losses on foreign currency contracts in 2015 have 
been recognized in Other foreign exchange gain (loss) in Net earnings.   

Unrealized gains and losses arising upon translation of net foreign currency investment 
positions in U.S. Dollar functional currency foreign operations, together with any gain or losses 
arising from hedges of those net investment positions, to the extent effective, are credited or 
charged to net change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) in the 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.  Upon sale, reduction or substantial 
liquidation of an investment position, the previously recorded net unrealized gains (losses) 
thereon in the Translation reserve are reclassified to the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. 

As at December 31, 2015, the Company had designated the US$130.0 million drawn under its 
Revolving Term Line and US$200.0 million drawn under its Senior Secured Notes as hedges 
against the net investment in its U.S. operations.   

The Company recorded a $56.5 million unrealized foreign exchange gain on translation of its 
U.S. operations with a U.S. Dollar functional currency, net of revaluations of debt designated 
as hedges against the net in investment in U.S. operations, to Other comprehensive income in 
2015 (2014 - $20.4 million gain).   

Outstanding Shares 

As of December 31, 2015, Interfor had 70,030,455 Common Shares issued and outstanding.  
These shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol IFP. 

Controls and Procedures 

The Company’s management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and 
the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has evaluated the design and effectiveness of the 
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO 
have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of 
December 31, 2015.   

The Company’s management, under the supervision of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the 
design and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (“ICFR”) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

21 

____________________ 

based on the criteria established within the 2013 COSO framework.  Based on this evaluation, 
the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s ICFR were effective as of December 31, 
2015.   

The CEO and CFO acknowledge responsibility for the design of ICFR and confirm that there 
were no changes in these controls that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2015, 
which materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR.   

Critical Accounting Estimates 

The Company’s financial statements include critical accounting estimates made by 
management.  Management is required to make various assumptions about matters that are 
highly uncertain at the time accounting estimates are made; the use of different assumptions 
could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and performance.  These 
critical accounting estimates are described below. 

Valuation of Inventories.  Lumber inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable 
value on a specific product basis.  Log inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net 
realizable value on a specific boom or sort basis.  The unit net realizable value for lumber 
inventories and B.C. Coast log inventories is determined by reference to the average sales 
values by specific product in the period immediately following the reporting date.  The unit 
realizable value for B.C. Interior and U.S. log inventories is determined by reference to the 
value of the projected lumber and residual outturns.  The unit cost for lumber is based on a 
three month moving average cost, lagged by one month and adjusted for unusual items.  The 
unit cost for B.C. Coast logs is based on a twelve month moving average cost lagged one 
month and for B.C. Interior logs is based on the three month moving average cost, both 
adjusted for unusual items.  The unit cost for U.S. logs is based on purchase cost.  When net 
realizable value is lower than cost, a charge to operating earnings is recorded.  Downward 
movements in commodity prices could result in a material write-down of log and/or lumber 
inventories at any given time. 

Recoverability of Property, Plant and Equipment, Logging Roads and Bridges, Timber licences, 
Other Intangible Assets, and Goodwill.  Interfor’s assessment of recoverability of property, 
plant and equipment, logging roads, bridges, timber licences and other intangible assets is 
made with reference to projections of future cash flows to be generated by its operations.  The 
assessment of recoverability of goodwill is also made with reference to projections of future 
cash flows to be generated by the related cash generating unit.  In both cases the projected 
cash flows are discounted to estimate the recoverable amount of the related assets.   

The Company conducts a review of external and internal sources of information to assess 
existence of any impairment indicators.  External factors include adverse changes in expected 
future prices, costs and other market and economic factors.  Internal factors include changes 
in the expected useful life of the asset or changes to the planned capacity of the asset.   

Key assumptions used are based on industry sources, including Forest Economic Advisors, LLC, 
as well as management estimates.  Assumptions encompass lumber and residual chip sales 
prices, applicable foreign exchange rates, operating rates of the assets, raw material and 
conversion costs, the level of sales to the U.S. from Canada, the export tax rate, future capital 
required to maintain the assets in their current operating condition, and other items.   

A high degree of uncertainty exists in these assumptions and, as such, any significant change 
in assumptions could result in a conclusion that the carrying value of these assets may not be 
recovered, which could necessitate a material charge against operating earnings. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

22 

____________________ 

Appropriate discount rates are determined by reference to current market conditions, specific 
company factors and asset specific factors.  The inflation rate applied within the cash flow 
projections represents the published Bank of Canada consumer price index. 

Interfor assesses the recoverability of Property, Plant and Equipment, Logging Roads and 
Bridges, Timber Licences and Other Intangible Assets whenever events or circumstances 
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  Goodwill is tested for impairment 
annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may 
exist.  The Company assessed the recoverability of goodwill as at December 31, 2015 and 
concluded that there were no impairments. 

Reforestation and Other Forestry-related Liabilities.  Crown legislation requires the Company to 
complete reforestation activities on its forest and timber tenures.  Accordingly, Interfor records 
the estimated liability for reforestation as timber is cut, and includes these expenses in the 
cost of current production.  The estimate of future reforestation costs is based on detailed 
prescriptions of reforestation as prepared by Registered Professional Foresters employed or 
contracted by the Company.  Considerations include the specifics of the areas logged and the 
treatments prescribed for those areas, as well as the timing and success rates of the planned 
activities.  Estimates of reforestation liabilities could be materially impacted by forest fires, 
wildlife grazing, unfavourable weather conditions, changing legislative requirements and 
standards, or inaccurate projections, which could result in a charge against operating earnings. 

The Company also has a legal obligation to deactivate certain roads constructed for access to 
timber, once that access is no longer required.  Accordingly, Interfor accrues the cost of road 
deactivation as related timber is cut, including those expenses in the cost of current 
production.  The estimate of future road deactivation cost is based on comprehensive plans 
prepared by Professional Foresters and Engineers employed by Interfor and includes such 
considerations as road structure and terrain.  Estimates of road deactivation liabilities could be 
materially impacted by unfavourable terrain, changing legislative requirements and standards, 
or inaccurate projections, which could result in a charge against operating earnings.  Each of 
these estimates is reviewed regularly on an ongoing basis. 

Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits.  The Company sponsors two defined benefit 
pension plans for those hourly employees not covered by forest industry union plans.  It also 
sponsors two post-retirement medical and life insurance plans.   

The Company retains independent actuarial consultants to value the defined pension benefit 
obligations, the post-retirement medical and life insurance obligations and related plan asset 
values.  Actuarial assumptions used in the valuation of plan obligations and assets include 
assumptions for the discount rate used in calculations of net present value of obligations, 
expected rates of return on plan assets to be used to fund obligations, and assumed rates of 
increase for employee compensation and health care costs.  Actual experience can vary 
materially from estimates and could result in a material charge against operating earnings as 
well as necessitate a current cash funding requirement. 

Income Taxes.  The Company’s provision for income taxes, both current and deferred, is based 
on various judgments, assumptions and estimates including the tax treatment of transactions 
recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Interfor records provisions for 
income taxes based on the respective tax rules and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the 
Company operates.  Due to the number of variables associated with the judgments, 
assumptions and estimates, and differing tax rules and regulations across the multiple 
jurisdictions, the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates are subject to uncertainties 
and may change as additional information becomes known. 
Income tax assets and liabilities, both current and deferred, are measured according to the 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

23 

____________________ 

income tax legislation that is expected to apply when the asset is realized or the liability 
settled.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the tax effect of temporary 
differences between the carrying amount and tax basis of assets and liabilities, tax loss carry 
forwards and tax credits.  Assumptions underlying the composition of deferred income tax 
assets and liabilities include estimates of future results of operations and the timing of the 
reversal of temporary differences as well as the tax rates and laws in the applicable 
jurisdictions at the time of the reversal.  The composition of deferred income tax assets and 
liabilities is reasonably likely to change from period to period due to the uncertainties 
surrounding these assumptions. 

Accounting Policy Changes 

A number of new standards, and amendments to existing standards and interpretations, were 
not yet effective for the year ended December 31, 2015, and have not been applied in 
preparing the Company’s 2015 annual audited consolidated financial statements.  The following 
pronouncements are considered by the Company to be the most significant of several 
pronouncements that may affect the financial statements: 

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, will replace the multiple classification and measurement models 
in IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, with a single model that has 
only two classification categories:  amortized cost and fair value.  IFRS 9 is effective for annual 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with earlier adoption permitted.  The Company 
does not expect this standard to have a significant effect on its financial statements. 

IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, will replace all existing IFRS revenue 
requirements and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with 
earlier adoption permitted.  The Company has not yet completed an assessment of the impact, 
if any, of this standard on its financial statements. 

IFRS 16, Leases, eliminates the current dual accounting model for lessees, which distinguishes 
between on-balance sheet finance leases and off-balance sheet operating leases.  Under the 
new standard, operating leases become an on-balance sheet liability that attracts interest, 
together with a new right-of-use asset.  In addition, lessees will recognize a front-loaded 
pattern of expense for most leases, even when cash rentals are constant.  IFRS 16 is effective 
for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with earlier adoption permitted.  The 
Company has not yet completed an assessment of the impact of this standard on its financial 
statements. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

24 

____________________ 

Non-GAAP Measures 

This MD&A makes reference to the following non-GAAP measures: Adjusted net earnings 
(loss), Adjusted net earnings (loss) per share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Pre-tax return on 
total assets and Net debt to invested capital, which are used by the Company and certain 
investors to evaluate operating performance and financial position.  These non-GAAP measures 
do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be 
comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.  The following table provides a 
reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to figures as reported in the Company’s audited 
consolidated financial statements prepared (unaudited for interim periods) in accordance with 
IFRS:  

Notes:   
(1) 2015 adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA have been revised for inclusion 

of Tacoma sawmill post-acquisition losses arising in Q1’15. 

(2)  Total  assets  at  period  beginning  for  three  month  periods;  average  of  opening  and  closing  total  assets  for  twelve 

month periods. 
(3) Annualized rate. 
(4) Net debt to invested capital as of the period end. 

Thousands of Canadian dollars20152014201520142013Adjusted Net EarningsNet earnings (loss)(3,507)(5,187)(30,386)40,690 42,239 Add:- Restructuring costs, capital asset and timber write-downs2,866 857 12,829 24,129 371 Other foreign exchange loss (gain)(473)1,646 1,651 2,651 1,250 Long term incentive compensation expense (recovery)9,335 13,864 (5,431)23,933 18,841 Other (income) expense(863)(3)(757)37 (602)Beaver sawmill post-closure wind-down costs6 367 365 1,083 - Tacoma sawmill post-acquisition losses698 - 11,009 - - Income tax effect of above adjustments(2,564)(1,301)(9,311)(10,951)(1,432)Recognition of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets- - - (19,253)- Adjusted net earnings (loss)(1)5,498 10,243 (20,031)62,319 60,667 Weighted average number of shares - basic and diluted ('000)70,030 66,730 69,488 66,005 57,694 Adjusted net earnings (loss) per share(1)0.08         0.15         (0.29)        0.94         1.05         Adjusted EBITDANet earnings (loss)(3,507)      (5,187)(30,386)    40,69042,239Add: Depreciation of plant and equipment18,482     14,707 71,492 55,16739,206Depletion and amortization of timber, roads and other10,734     8,699 37,478 28,91223,061Restructuring costs, capital asset and timber write-downs2,866       857 12,829     24,129371Finance costs5,459       2,268 17,569     8,9159,069Other foreign exchange loss (gain)(473)         1,646 1,651       2,6511,250Income tax expense (recovery)(6,943)      160 (24,017)    (16,230)555EBITDA26,618 23,150 86,616 144,234115,751Add: Long term incentive compensation expense (recovery)9,335       13,864 (5,431)      23,93318,841Other (income) expense(863)         (3)(757)         37(602)Beaver sawmill post-closure wind-down costs6              363 363          1,075 - Tacoma sawmill post-acquisition losses698          - 10,928     - - Adjusted EBITDA(1)35,794 37,374 91,719 169,279   133,990   Pre-tax return on total assetsOperating earnings (loss) before restructuring costs(3,461)      (259)(23,111)60,19252,882Total assets(2)1,383,751 1,058,346 1,229,160 946,325728,083Pre-tax return on total assets(3)(1.0%)(0.1%)(1.9%)6.4%7.3%Net debt to invested capitalNet debtTotal debt468,759 220,419 468,759 220,419145,479Cash and cash equivalents(16,456)(17,866)(16,456)(17,866)(4,717)Total net debt452,303 202,553 452,303 202,553140,762Invested capitalNet debt452,303 202,553 452,303 202,553140,762Shareholders' equity725,254 636,480 725,254 636,480515,137Total invested capital1,177,557 839,033 1,177,557 839,033655,899Net debt to invested capital(4)38.4%24.1%38.4%24.1%21.5%For the year ended December 31,For the 3 months ended December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

25 

____________________ 

Risks and Uncertainties 

The Company is exposed to many risks and uncertainties in conducting its business including, 
but not limited to the factors described below. 

Price Volatility 

The Company’s operating results are affected by fluctuations in the selling prices for lumber, 
logs and wood chips.  Prices are affected by such factors as the general level of economic 
activity in the markets in which the Company sells its products, interest rates, construction 
activity (in particular, housing starts in the United States, Canada, Japan and China), and log 
and chip supply/demand relationships.  The Company’s financial results may be significantly 
affected by changes in the selling prices of its products. 

Competition 

The markets for the Company’s products are highly competitive on a global basis and 
producers compete primarily on the basis of price.  In addition, a majority of the Company’s 
lumber production is sold in markets where the Company competes against many producers of 
approximately the same or larger capacity.  Some of the Company’s competitors have greater 
financial resources and a number are, in certain product lines, lower-cost producers. 

Factors which affect the Company’s competitive position include: 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

foreign currency exchange rates; 
the cost of labour; 
costs of harvesting or purchasing logs; 
the ability to secure a quality log supply matched to a sawmill’s requirements; 
the quality of its products and customer service; 
the ability to secure space on vessels for overseas shipments and on trucks and railcars 
for North American shipments; 
the existence and cost of export taxes payable on sales from Canada to the United 
States; and 
its ability to maintain high operating rates to leverage fixed manufacturing costs. 

If the Company is unable to successfully compete on a global basis, its financial condition could 
suffer. 

Availability and Cost of Log Supply 

The log requirements of the Company’s sawmills are met using logs harvested from its timber 
tenures, by long term trade and purchase agreements and by purchases on the open market 
and through timber sale bids.  Logs produced but unsuitable for use in the Company’s sawmills 
are either traded for suitable logs or sold on the open market.  Operating at normal capacity, 
the Company’s Canadian sawmills generally purchase less than 40% of their log requirements 
either through purchase agreements or on the open market.  The Company relies almost 
entirely on purchased fibre through purchase agreements for its U.S. based sawmills, with a 
small volume occasionally supplied by the Company’s Canadian coastal logging operations for 
the sawmill located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.  As a result, fluctuations in the price, 
quality or availability of log supply can have a material effect on the Company’s business, 
financial position, results of operations and cash flow.  In addition, weather-related issues can 
restrict timely access to log supply. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

26 

____________________ 

The Company relies on third-party independent contractors to harvest timber in areas over 
which it holds timber tenures.  Increases in rates charged by these independent contractors or 
the limited availability of these independent contractors may increase the Company’s timber 
harvesting costs. 

Additionally, in order to ensure uninterrupted access to logs harvested from its timber tenures 
in Canada, the Company must also focus on the continuous development of road networks.  
This encompasses an integrated plan by foresters, engineers and logging operations personnel 
to identify future logging areas and develop the engineering for roads.  The Company expects 
to fund its ongoing road development with cash generated from operations and through 
utilization of its existing credit facilities. 

Natural or Man-Made Disasters 

The Company’s operations are subject to adverse natural or man-made events such as forest 
fires, severe weather conditions, climate change, timber disease and insect infestation and 
earthquake activity.  These events could damage or destroy the Company’s physical facilities 
or timber supply and similar events could also affect the facilities of the Company’s suppliers or 
customers.  Any such damage or destruction could adversely affect the Company’s financial 
results due to decreased production output or increased operating costs.  Although 
management believes it has reasonable insurance arrangements in place to cover certain of 
such incidents, there can be no assurance that these arrangements will be sufficient to fully 
protect the Company against such losses.  As is common in the industry, the Company does 
not insure loss of standing timber for any cause. 

Currency Exchange Sensitivity 

The Company’s Canadian operations ordinarily sell approximately 75% of their lumber into 
export markets, with the majority of these sales denominated in U.S. Dollars and, to a lesser 
extent, in Japanese Yen.  While the Canadian operations also incur some U.S. Dollar–
denominated expenses, primarily for ocean freight and other transportation and for equipment 
operating leases, the majority of expenses are incurred in Canadian Dollars.  The Company’s 
operations in the United States transact primarily in U.S. Dollars.   

An increase in the value of the Canadian Dollar relative to the U.S. Dollar would reduce the 
amount of revenue in Canadian Dollars realized by the Company from lumber sales made in 
U.S. Dollars.  This would reduce the Company’s operating margin and the cash flow available 
to fund operations.  Consequently, a significant strengthening of the Canadian Dollar against 
the U.S. Dollar could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial 
condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

Government Regulation 

The Company’s operations are subject to extensive provincial, state, federal or other laws and 
regulations that apply to most aspects of its business activities.  Where applicable, the 
Company is required to obtain approvals, permits and licences for its operations as a condition 
to operate. 

From time to time, changes in government policy or regulation may impact the Company’s 
operations.  Until the details of all such changes are announced and implemented, the full 
impact of these changes on the Company’s production, costs, financial position and results of 
operations cannot be determined. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

27 

____________________ 

Allowable Annual Cut (“AAC”) 

The Company holds cutting rights in British Columbia that represent an AAC of approximately 
of 3.7 million cubic metres.  Of this amount, 3.65 million cubic metres is in the form of 
replaceable tenures (4 Tree Farm Licences and 19 Forest Licences).  The remaining portion is 
held in non-replaceable Timber Licences that will expire over time.  In 2015, the Company sold 
two non-replaceable Forest Licences associated with dead pine stands in the B.C. Interior.   

The AAC is regulated by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and is 
subject to a periodic Timber Supply Review process to make determinations that set harvesting 
rates for each tenure.  Many factors affect the AAC, such as timber inventory, operable land 
base, growth rates, regulations, forest health, land use and environmental and social 
considerations. 

Reductions in the Company’s AAC from any new protected areas are subject to compensation 
once these areas have been formally removed.  Currently there is a Government plan in 2016 
to set aside some additional area for conservation purposes in the Mid Coast region that may 
affect some of the Company’s Timber Licences and trigger a claim for compensation.  The 
timber volume impacted has not been finalized, and the amount of compensation is not known 
at this time.   

Regulatory changes to meet new Ecosystem Based Management (“EBM”) requirements in the 
Central Coast of B.C. are also expected to impact the Company’s timber supply in 2016, and 
these are not compensable.  The AAC impact is not known at this time.        

The amount of timber available for harvest in the south-central portion of the B.C. Interior is 
expected to decline over the next 10 years as the surplus of dead pine stands from the pine 
beetle epidemic become no longer useable.   A portion of Interfor’s tenures can expect some 
modest AAC declines over this period, although they are not expected to have a material 
impact on our internal supply.   

Aboriginal Issues 

Aboriginal groups have claimed aboriginal title and rights over substantial portions of British 
Columbia, including areas where the Company’s forest tenures are situated, creating 
uncertainty as to the status of competing property rights.  The Federal and Provincial 
governments have been seeking to negotiate settlements with aboriginal groups throughout 
British Columbia in order to resolve aboriginal rights and title claims.  In addition, the 
governments have entered, and may continue to enter, into interim measure (reconciliation) 
agreements with aboriginal groups.  Any interim measures, agreements or settlements that 
may result from the treaty process may involve a combination of cash, resources, grants of 
conditional rights to resources on public lands and rights of self-government.  The impact of 
aboriginal claims or treaty settlements on the Company’s forest tenures or the amounts of 
compensation to the Company, if any, cannot be estimated at this time. 

The courts have also established that the Crown has a duty to consult with aboriginal groups 
and, where appropriate, accommodate aboriginal interests.  However, questions of 
responsibility and appropriateness of balancing interests will continue to evolve as the parties 
try to address these long-standing and complex issues.  The Government of British Columbia 
has been working to improve the functional relationship between the Crown and aboriginal 
groups prior to treaty settlement.  The Province of British Columbia and some First Nations 
groups on the coast of British Columbia have signed Reconciliation Protocols that provide a 
shared decision making process for resource and land use, as well as new forest sector 
opportunities.  These agreements overlap portions of the Company’s coastal tenures.  The 
agreements will be assessed and monitored in the years ahead to determine the extent of any 
implications on those operations. 

 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

28 

____________________ 

On June 26, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) released its ruling on Tsilhqot’in vs. 
British Columbia.  This ruling may define, for the first time, the criteria upon which aboriginal 
title rests and is considered a positive development for the Company.  It is also an important 
motivation for the Federal and Provincial governments to move forward on the reconciliation 
and treaty process in British Columbia. 

The SCC ruling applies to 2% of the Tsilhqot’in traditional territory in a remote area of central 
British Columbia.  To date, aboriginal title has not been established in any of the Company’s 
tenures and doing so will likely be a lengthy and complex process.  The Company will continue 
to manage its operations within the existing legal framework while paying close attention to 
the direction provided by the Province of British Columbia and First Nations regarding the 
application of this ruling.  Therefore, risks and uncertainties remain consistent with those 
referenced above. 

Softwood Lumber Agreement 

The majority (approximately 85%) of Interfor’s softwood lumber production is not impacted by 
the SLA.  The Company’s financial results are dependent on continued access to the U.S. 
market for the portion of Company’s products that are manufactured in Canada and exported 
to the U.S. Tariffs and other trade barriers that restrict or prevent access represent a 
continuing risk to the Company’s Canadian based operations.  The SLA implemented by the 
federal governments of Canada and the United States in 2006, expired on October 12, 2015.  
As part of that agreement the U.S. government agreed to a standstill period, where it would 
not take any trade action against Canada for a twelve month period following expiry.  If the 
governments do not negotiate a new agreement, the U.S. may launch trade action after the 
standstill period ends.  This may result in the imposition of U.S. protective measures such as 
countervailing and anti-dumping duties leveled against Canadian softwood lumber producers.   

There is no assurance there will be any new trade agreement forthcoming or if a new trade 
agreement was reached whether new export measures could adversely affect the Company’s 
Canadian operations.   Further, if there is no new agreement and the U.S. decides to take 
trade action, the earliest date preliminary duties could take effect will be sometime in 2017, 
with retroactive charges to October, 2016.  The amount and impact of duties cannot be 
determined at this time.  Canada is expected to defend itself vigorously in any trade action 
taken by the U.S.  

Stumpage Fees 

The Province of British Columbia charges stumpage fees to companies that harvest timber 
from Crown land.  Stumpage payments for a harvesting area are based on a competitive 
market pricing system (“MPS”) that has been established for both the coast and interior 
regions of British Columbia. 

The stumpage system is complex and the subject of discussion involving, among other things, 
lumber trade agreements between Canada and the United States.  The primary variable in the 
MPS is log pricing established through open market bidding for standing timber.  In addition to 
bid prices, there are a number of operational and administrative factors that determine an 
individual stumpage rate for each cutting permit. 

Periodic changes in the Provincial government’s administrative policy can affect the market 
price for timber and the viability of individual logging operations.  There can be no assurance 
that current changes or future changes will not have a material impact on stumpage rates. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

29 

____________________ 

Environment 

The Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, costs to minimize environmental impact, 
prevent pollution and for continuous improvement of its environmental performance.  The 
Company may discover currently unknown environmental problems or conditions relating to its 
past or present operations, or it may be faced with an unforeseen environmental liability in the 
future.  This may require site or other remediation costs to maintain compliance or correct 
violations of environmental laws and regulations or result in governmental or private claims for 
damage to person, property or the environment, which could have a material adverse effect on 
the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. 

Labour Disruptions 

Production disruptions resulting from walkouts or strikes by unionized employees could result 
in lost production and sales, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s 
business.  The Company believes that its current labour relations are stable and does not 
anticipate any related disruptions to its operations in the foreseeable future. 

The Company depends on a variety of third parties that employ unionized workers to provide 
critical services to the Company.  Labour disputes by these third parties could lead to 
disruptions at the Company’s facilities.  The Company’s Acorn, Hammond, Grand Forks, and 
Castlegar sawmill employees are members of the Canadian United Steelworkers union 
(“USW”).  The collective agreement with the Southern Interior USW agreement (Grand Forks 
and Castlegar) expires on June 30, 2018, while the USW agreement for the B.C. Coast (Acorn 
and Hammond) expires on June 15, 2019.  The Company also has 22 employees in the B.C. 
Interior who are members of the Canadian Marine Service Guild (“CMSG”).  A new collective 
agreement was negotiated with the CMSG in 2015, which expires September 30, 2019.   

In 2015, the Company acquired sawmills in Meldrim, Georgia and Longview, Washington where 
employees are represented by the American USW and the International Association of 
Machinist and Aerospace Workers (“IAM”), respectively.  The American USW collective 
agreement expires on June 30, 2016, while the IAM collective agreement expires on November 
15, 2016. 

Additional Information 

Additional information relating to the Company and its operations, including the Company’s 
Annual Information Form, can be found on its website at www.interfor.com and on SEDAR at 
www.sedar.com.   

 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

30 

Management is responsible for the integrity and fair presentation of the accompanying 

consolidated financial statements. The financial statements were prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards and, where necessary, are based in part on 
management’s best estimates and judgements. Financial information included elsewhere in the 
2015 Annual Report is consistent with that disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. 

Management maintains a system of internal accounting control which it believes provides 

reasonable assurance that financial records are reliable and form a proper basis for preparation 
of financial statements. The internal accounting control process includes communications to 
employees of Interfor’s standards for ethical business conduct. 

The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its 

responsibilities for financial reporting and internal controls. The Board exercises this 
responsibility primarily through its Audit Committee, the members of which are neither officers 
nor employees of Interfor. The Audit Committee meets periodically with management and the 
independent Auditors to satisfy itself that each group is properly discharging its responsibilities 
and to review the consolidated financial statements and the independent Auditors’ report 
thereon. The Company’s independent Auditors have full and free access to the Audit 
Committee. The Audit Committee reports its findings to the Board of Directors for 
consideration in approving the consolidated financial statements for issuance to the 
shareholders. The Committee also makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the 
appointment and remuneration of the independent Auditors. 

The consolidated financial statements have been examined by the independent Auditors, 

KPMG LLP, whose report follows. 

“Duncan K. Davies” 

“John A. Horning” 

President and Chief Executive Officer 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial 
Officer 

February 11, 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT 

31 

To the Shareholders 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Interfor Corporation 
(the “Company”) which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at 
December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the consolidated statements of loss, 
comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 
2015 and December 31, 2014, and notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting 
policies and other explanatory information. 

Management's Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated 
financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and for 
such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of 
consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error. 

Auditors’ Responsibility 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on 
our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing 
standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and 
perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial 
statements are free from material misstatement. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on our 
judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 
financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we 
consider internal control relevant to the Company’s preparation and fair presentation of the 
consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in 
the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 
entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting 
policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well 
as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate 
to provide a basis for our audit opinion. 

Opinion 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the 
consolidated financial position of Interfor Corporation as at December 31, 2015 and December 
31, 2014, and its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the 
years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards. 

KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants 

February 11, 2016 
Vancouver, Canada 

 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars) 
As at December 31, 2015 and 2014 

32 

Assets 
Current assets: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade accounts receivable and other 
Income tax receivable 
Inventories 
Prepayments and other 
Assets held for sale 

Employee future benefits 
Other investments and assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Logging roads and bridges 
Timber licences 
Other intangible assets 
Goodwill 
Deferred income taxes 

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 
Current liabilities: 

Trade accounts payable and provisions 
Reforestation liability 
Income taxes payable 

Reforestation liability 
Long term debt 
Employee future benefits 
Provisions and other liabilities 
Deferred income taxes 

Equity: 

Share capital 
Contributed surplus 
Translation reserve 
Hedge reserve 
Retained earnings 

Note 

December 31 
2015 

December 31 
2014 

10 

19 
6 

5 

22 
7 
4, 8 

9   
9 
9 
9 
19 

11 
12 
19 

12 
10 
22 
11 
19 

13 

$ 

16,456 
95,218 
459 
155,740 
15,512 
27,836 
311,221 
1,570 
3,191 
777,590 
 20,611 
72,429 
23,601 
160,914 
18,669 

$ 

17,866 
80,283 
- 
148,668 
12,175 
- 
258,992 
2,520 
2,972 
541,378 
22,244 
79,024 
24,397 
136,996 
- 

$1,389,796  

$ 1,068,523 

$  130,840 
11,052 
398 
142,290 
25,074 
468,759 
8,391 
20,028 
- 

553,559 
7,665 
77,425 
62 
86,543 
725,254 

$  139,153 
9,797 
365 
149,315 
23,099 
220,419 
7,361 
25,190 
6,659 

490,363 
7,476 
20,950 
133 
117,558 
636,480 

$ 1,389,796 

$ 1,068,523 

Commitments and contingencies (note 20); Subsequent events (note 10). 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors: 

“L. Sauder”, Director 

“D.W.G. Whitehead”, Director 

 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) 
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except earnings per share) 
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

Sales  

Costs and expenses: 

Note 

2015 

2014 

$1,687,375 

$1,447,157 

Production 
Selling and administration 
4 
Long term incentive compensation expense (recovery)  11 
Export taxes 
Depreciation of plant and equipment 
Depletion and amortization of timber, roads and other 

8 
9 

Operating earnings (loss) before restructuring costs 
Restructuring costs 

Operating earnings (loss) 

Finance costs 
Other foreign exchange loss 
Other income (expense) 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes 

Income tax expense (recovery): 

Current 
Deferred 

18 

16 

17 

19 

1,554,975 
46,756 
(5,431) 
5,216 
71,492 
37,478 
1,710,486 

(23,111) 
(12,829) 

(35,940) 

(17,569) 
(1,651) 
757 
(18,463) 

1,243,464 
35,489 
23,933 
- 
55,167 
28,912 
1,386,965 

60,192 
(24,129) 

36,063 

(8,915) 
(2,651) 
(37) 
(11,603) 

(54,403) 

24,460 

614 
(24,631) 
(24,017) 

1,342 
(17,572) 
(16,230) 

Net earnings (loss) 

$  (30,386) 

$  40,690 

Net earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted 

21 

$ 

(0.44) 

$ 

0.62 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
34 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars) 
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

Note 

2015 

2014 

Net earnings (loss) 

$  (30,386) 

$  40,690 

Other comprehensive income: 
Items that will not be recycled to Net earnings (loss): 

Defined benefit plan actuarial losses 

22 

(1,005) 

(1,342) 

Items that are or may be recycled to Net earnings (loss): 

Foreign currency translation differences for  

foreign operations, net of tax 

Loss in fair value of interest rate swaps 
Income tax on other comprehensive income 
Total items that are or may be recycled to Net earnings (loss) 

16, 26 
19 

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax 

56,475 
(71) 
376 
56,780 

55,775 

20,389 
(34) 
- 
20,355 

19,013 

Comprehensive income 

$  25,389 

$  59,703 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars) 
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

35 

Shares issued in business combination 

  4, 13(a) 

61,640 

Balance at December 31, 2013 

Net earnings: 

Other comprehensive income (loss): 

Foreign currency translation differences for 

foreign operations, net of tax 

Defined benefit plan actuarial losses, net of tax 
Loss in fair value of interest rate swaps 

Contributions: 

Balance at December 31, 2014 

Net earnings (loss): 

Other comprehensive income (loss): 

Foreign currency translation differences for 

foreign operations, net of tax 

Defined benefit plan actuarial losses, net of tax 
Loss in fair value of interest rate swaps 

Contributions: 

Note 

Common  Contributed 
Surplus 

Shares 

Translation 
Reserve 

Hedge 
Reserve 

Retained 
Earnings 

Total 
Equity 

$  428,723  $ 

7,476  $ 

561 

$ 

167 

$  78,210  $  515,137 

- 

- 
- 
- 

22 
26 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

40,690 

40,690 

20,389 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(34) 

- 
(1,342) 
- 

20,389 
(1,342) 
(34) 

- 

- 

- 

61,640 

490,363 

7,476 

20,950 

133 

117,558 

636,480 

- 

- 

(30,386) 

(30,386) 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

22 
26 

56,475 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(71) 

- 
- 

- 
(629) 
- 

56,475 
(629) 
(71) 

- 
- 

63,196 
189 

Share issuance, net of share issue expenses 
Stock options 

  4, 13(a) 
13(b) 

63,196 
- 

- 
189 

- 
- 

Balance at December 31, 2015 

$  553,559   $ 

7,665  $  77,425 

$ 

62 

$  86,543 

 $  725,254 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars) 
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

36 

Cash provided by (used in): 
Operating activities: 

Net earnings (loss) 
Items not involving cash: 

Note 

2015 

2014 

  $  (30,386) 

$  40,690 

Depreciation of plant and equipment 
Depletion and amortization of timber, roads and other 
Income tax recovery 
Finance costs 
Other assets 
Reforestation liability 
Other liabilities and provisions 
Stock options 
Reversal of write-down of plant and equipment 
Write-down of plant and equipment 
Unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) 
Other income (expense) 

8 
9 
19 
16 

12 

13(b) 
18 
8, 18 

17 

Cash generated from (used in) operating working capital: 

Trade accounts receivable and other 
Inventories 
Prepayments and other 
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Income taxes paid 

Investing activities: 

Additions to property, plant and equipment 
Additions to logging roads 
Additions to timber and other intangible assets 
Acquisitions 
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Investments and other assets 

8 
9 
9 
4 

Financing activities: 

Issuance of share capital, net of share issue expenses  4, 13(a) 
Interest payments 
Debt refinancing costs 
Change in operating line components of long term debt 
Additions to long term debt 
Repayments of long term debt 

10 
10 
10 

71,492 
37,478 
(24,017) 
17,569 
639 
1,612 
(8,252) 
189 
(1,195) 
2,812 
(337) 
(758) 
66,846 

8,748 
48,717 
3,017 
(24,986) 
(965) 
101,377 

(93,832) 
(26,133) 
(1,500) 
(223,263) 
12,509 
(1,033) 
(333,252) 

63,196 
(16,186) 
(292) 
10,057 
362,582 
(189,691) 
229,666 

55,167 
28,912 
(16,230) 
8,915 
986 
1,910 
(63) 
- 
- 
20,468 
2,191 
 46 
142,992 

(8,628) 
15,083 
1,236 
14,185 
(3,077) 
161,791 

(48,922) 
(26,656) 
(2,818) 
(124,421) 
1,926 
(13) 
(200,904) 

- 
(7,122) 
(757) 
(1,789) 
223,221 
(162,004) 
51,549 

Foreign exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents held  

in a foreign currency 

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

799 
(1,410) 
17,866 
  $  16,456 

713 
13,149 
4,717 
$  17,866 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

37 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

1.  Nature of operations: 

Interfor Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Interfor”) produce wood 
products in British Columbia, the U.S. Northwest and the U.S. South for sale to markets 
around the world. 

Interfor Corporation is incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) 
with shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.  Its head office, principal address and 
records office are located at Suite 3500, 1055 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, British 
Columbia, Canada, V7X 1H7. 

These consolidated financial statements of the Company as at and for the years ended 
December 31, 2015 and 2014 comprise the accounts of Interfor Corporation and its 
subsidiaries. 

2.  Basis of Preparation: 

(a) Statement of compliance: 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and were approved by the Board of 
Directors on February 11, 2016. 

(b) Basis of measurement: 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis 
except for the following material items in the Statements of Financial Position: 

(i)  Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value; 

(ii)  Liabilities for cash-settled share-based payment arrangements are measured at fair 

value; and 

(iii) Employee benefit plan assets and liabilities are recognized as the net of the fair 

value of the plan assets and the present value of the defined benefit obligations on a 
plan by plan basis. 

(c) Functional and presentation currency: 

These consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian Dollars, which is the 
parent company’s functional currency.  Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have a 
functional currency of the U.S. Dollar and are translated to Canadian Dollars.  All 
financial information presented in Canadian Dollars has been rounded to the nearest 
thousand except number of shares and per share amounts. 

(d) Use of estimates and judgements: 

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS 
requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the 
application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, 
revenues and expenses.  Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.  Revisions to 
accounting estimates are recognized, on a prospective basis, in the period in which the 
estimates are revised. 

 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

38 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

2.  Basis of Preparation (continued): 

(d) Use of estimates and judgements (continued): 

Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to the 
determination of restructuring, reforestation, road deactivation, environmental and tax 
obligations, share-based compensation, recoverability of assets, rates for depreciation, 
depletion and amortization, fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in business 
combinations and impairment analysis of non-financial assets including goodwill.   

Information about the use of management estimates that have the most significant 
effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements is included in 
the following notes: 

Note 3(e) 

Inventories 

Note 3(f) 

Assets held for sale 

Note 3(j) 

Impairment of non-financial assets 

Note 3(k) 

Reforestation and other decommissioning provisions 

Note 3(n) 

Cash-settled share based compensation 

Note 3(o) 

Equity-settled share based compensation 

Note 4 

Note 9 

Acquisitions 

Roads and bridges, timber tenures, other intangible assets and goodwill 

Note 12 

Reforestation liability 

3.  Significant accounting policies: 

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods 
presented in these consolidated financial statements.   

(a) Basis of consolidation: 

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its 
wholly-owned subsidiaries from their respective dates of acquisition or incorporation.  
All intercompany balances, including unrealized income and expenses arising from 
intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.  

The Company measures goodwill in business acquisitions at the acquisition date as the 
fair value of the consideration transferred including any non-controlling interest less the 
fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, all measured as of 
the acquisition date.  When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is 
recognized immediately in Net earnings.  Transaction costs, other than those associated 
with the issuance of debt or equity securities, are expensed as incurred. 

(b) Foreign currency: 

(i)  Foreign currency transactions: 

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency of the 
respective entity at transaction date exchange rates.  Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are revalued using the exchange rate at the 
reporting date.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

39 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(b) Foreign currency (continued): 

(i)  Foreign currency transactions (continued): 

Foreign exchange differences arising on revaluation are recognized in Net earnings.  
Where revaluations relate to trade accounts receivables those foreign exchange 
differences are adjusted to Sales in the Statement of Earnings; where revaluations 
relate to trade accounts payables those foreign exchange differences are adjusted to 
Production costs in the Statement of Earnings. 

(ii)  Foreign operations: 

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have a functional currency of the U.S. Dollar.  
Revenues and expenses of such foreign operations are translated to Canadian 
Dollars at the transaction date exchange rate, or at average rates for the period 
which approximate the transaction date, as appropriate.  Assets and liabilities are 
translated into Canadian Dollars at exchange rates in effect at the reporting date.  
Related foreign currency translation differences are recognized in Other 
comprehensive income, and recorded to the Translation reserve in Equity.   

Foreign currency translation differences residing in the Translation reserve will be 
released to Net earnings upon the reduction of the net investment in foreign 
operations through the sale, reduction or substantial liquidation of an investment 
position.  

Monetary receivables from a foreign operation, the settlement of which are neither 
planned nor likely in the foreseeable future are considered to form part of the net 
investment in the foreign operation.  Related foreign exchange translation 
differences are recognized in Other comprehensive income and presented in the 
Translation reserve in Equity.  

(iii) Hedge of net investment in a foreign operation: 

Financial liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are from time to time 
designated as a hedge of the Company’s net investments in foreign operations. 

Foreign currency differences arising on the revaluation of a financial liability 
designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation are recognized in 
Foreign currency translation differences in Other comprehensive income to the 
extent that the hedge is effective, and presented in the Translation reserve in 
Equity.  To the extent that the hedge is ineffective, such differences are recognized 
in Other foreign exchange gain (loss) in Net earnings.   

When the Company terminates the designation of the hedging relationship and 
discontinues its use of hedge accounting, any accumulated unrealized foreign 
exchange differences remaining in the Translation reserve and subsequent 
unrealized foreign exchange differences are recorded in Other foreign exchange gain 
(loss) in Net earnings.   When the hedged net investment is disposed of, the 
relevant amount in the Translation reserve is reclassified to Net earnings. 

 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

40 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(c) Financial instruments: 

(i)  Non-derivative financial instruments: 

Non-derivative financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents, trade and 
other receivables, trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities, provisions, and 
loans and borrowings including long term debt.     

Cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables are designated as loans 
and receivables and are initially measured at fair value plus any direct transaction 
costs and thereafter at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method, less 
any impairment losses. 

Trade payables and accrued liabilities, provisions, and loans and borrowings 
including long term debt are designated as other financial liabilities and are initially 
measured at fair value and thereafter at amortized cost using the effective interest 
rate method. 

There are no financial instruments classified as available-for-sale or held-to-
maturity. 

(ii)  Derivative financial instruments: 

The Company at times uses derivative financial instruments for economic hedging 
purposes in the management of foreign exchange, interest rates, and commodity 
price risks.  The Company does not utilize derivative financial instruments for 
trading or speculative purposes.   

The Company has chosen not to designate derivative foreign currency exchange 
forward contracts and collar contracts as hedges for accounting purposes.  
Consequently, these derivative financial instruments, designated as held-for-trading, 
are carried on the Statements of Financial Position at fair value, with changes in fair 
value being recorded in Other foreign exchange gain (loss) in Net earnings.  

The Company at times holds derivative interest rate swaps to hedge its interest rate 
risk exposures and may designate these financial instruments as the hedging 
instrument in a cash flow hedge of fluctuations in market interest rates associated 
with specific drawings under its long term debt.  The effective portion of changes in 
the fair value of the derivative are recognized in Other comprehensive income and 
presented in the Hedging reserve in Equity.  Any ineffective portion of changes in 
the fair value of the derivative is recognized immediately in Net earnings. 

(iii) Share capital: 

Shares are classified as equity.  Incremental costs directly attributable to the 
issuance of Shares and share options are recognized as a deduction from equity, net 
of any tax effects. 

 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

41 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(d) Cash and cash equivalents: 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit and short-term interest bearing 
securities with maturities at their purchase date of three months or less. 

(e) Inventories: 

Lumber inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value on a specific 
product basis.  Cost is determined as the weighted average of cost of production on a 
three month rolling average, lagged by one month and adjusted for abnormal costs, as 
in the case of a curtailment.  Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the 
normal course of business, less estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. 

Log inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value on a specific 
boom basis where logs are boomed, or in aggregate on a species and sort basis where 
the logs are not boomed.   

Cost for internally produced log inventories is determined as the weighted average cost 
of logging on a twelve month rolling average, lagged by one month, for the B.C. Coast 
and on a three month rolling average for the B.C. Interior, and adjusted for abnormal 
costs, as in the case of a curtailment.  Log inventories purchased from external sources 
are valued at acquisition cost.   

Net realizable value of logs is based on either market replacement cost or, for logs 
designated for lumber processing, on estimated net realizable value less estimated 
costs of completion and selling expenses. 

Other inventories consist primarily of supplies which are recorded at lower of cost and 
replacement cost, which approximates net realizable value. 

(f)  Assets held for sale: 

Non-current assets, or disposal groups compromising assets and liabilities, are classified 
as held-for-sale if available for immediate sale and if it is highly probable that their 
carrying amount will be recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing 
use.   

Such assets, or disposal groups, are measured at the lower of their carrying amount 
and fair value less costs to sell. Any impairment loss on a disposal group is allocated 
first to goodwill, and then to the remaining assets and liabilities on a pro rata basis, 
except that losses are not allocated to inventories, financial assets, deferred tax assets 
or employee benefit assets, which continue to be measured in accordance with the 
Company’s other accounting policies. Impairment losses on initial classification as held 
for sale and subsequent gains and losses on remeasurement are recognized in Net 
earnings.  

Once classified as held for sale, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are 
no longer amortized or depreciated.  

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

42 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(g) Property, plant and equipment: 

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
impairment losses.  Depreciation on machinery and equipment is provided on the basis 
of hours operated relative to the asset’s lifetime estimated operating hours.  
Depreciation on all other assets is provided on a straight-line basis (ranging from 2.5% 
to 33% per year) over the estimated useful lives of the assets.   

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed annually and 
adjusted, if appropriate. 

Maintenance costs are recorded as expenses as incurred, with the exception of 
programs that extend the useful life of an asset or increase its value, which are 
capitalized.  

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of 
qualifying assets, being those requiring a substantial period of time prior to availability 
for their intended use, are capitalized. 

(h) Logging roads and bridges: 

Logging roads and bridges are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization and 
impairment losses.  Road and bridge amortization is computed on the basis of timber 
cut relative to available timber.   

Amortization methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed annually and 
adjusted, if appropriate. 

(i)  Intangible assets: 

(i)  Timber licences: 

Timber licences are recorded at cost less accumulated depletion and impairment 
losses.  Timber licence depletion is computed on the basis of timber cut relative to 
available timber.  Tree farm and forest licences are depleted on a straight-line basis 
over 40 years.  Amortization rates are reviewed annually to ensure they are aligned 
with estimates of remaining economic useful lives of the associated intangible 
assets. 

(ii)  Goodwill: 

Goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated impairment losses.  See Note 3(a) for 
the policy on measurement of goodwill at initial recognition.   

(iii) Other intangible assets: 

Other intangible assets are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization and 
impairment losses.  Amortization on other intangible assets is provided on a 
straight-line basis ranging from five to ten years, being the estimated useful lives of 
the assets.  Amortization rates are reviewed annually to ensure they are aligned 
with estimates of remaining economic useful lives of the associated intangible 
assets. 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

43 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(j)  Impairment of non-financial assets: 

The Company’s non-financial assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  Impairment 
tests are carried out annually for goodwill or when an indicator of impairment is 
identified.   

External indicators of impairment include adverse changes in expected future prices, 
costs and other market and economic factors.  Internal indicators include changes in 
the expected useful life of an asset or changes to the planned capacity of an asset.   

An impairment loss is charged to Net earnings if an asset’s carrying amount exceeds its 
recoverable amount.  The recoverable amount is calculated based on the higher of its 
fair value less direct costs to sell and its value in use.   

Fair value is determined as the amount that would be obtained from the sale, net of 
direct selling costs, of the asset in an arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable 
and willing parties.  Value in use is determined as the present value of the estimated 
future cash flows expected to arise from the continued use of the asset in its present 
form and its eventual disposal and does not consider future capital enhancements. 

For purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which 
there are separately identifiable cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash 
inflows from other assets or groups of assets (cash generating units or “CGU”).  
Goodwill is allocated to CGU’s or groups of CGU’s expected to benefit from it.    

Impairment losses recognized for a CGU are first allocated to reduce the carrying 
amount of goodwill, if any, assigned to the CGU, and then to reduce the carrying 
amounts of the other assets in the CGU on a pro-rata basis. 

Non-financial assets, other than goodwill, for which an impairment was previously 
recognized, are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.  
When an impairment loss is reversed, the increased carrying amount of the asset 
cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of 
amortization, had the impairment never been recognized. 

An impairment loss recorded against goodwill is not reversed. 

(k) Reforestation and other decommissioning provisions: 

Forestry legislation in British Columbia requires the Company to incur the cost of 
reforestation on its forest, timber and tree farm licences and to deactivate logging roads 
once harvesting is complete and access is no longer required.  Accordingly, the 
Company records the fair value of the costs of reforestation and road deactivation in the 
period in which the timber is cut, with the fair value of the liability determined with 
reference to the present value of estimated future cash flows.  

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

44 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(k) Reforestation and other decommissioning provisions (continued): 

Provisions are measured at the expected value of future cash flows, discounted to their 
present value and determined according to the probability of alternative estimates of 
cash flows occurring for each operation.  The measurement under IAS 37, Provisions, 
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, is based on best estimates and can be 
based on internal or external costs, depending upon which is most likely.  Significant 
judgements and estimates are involved in forming expectations of future activities and 
the amount and timing of the associated cash flows.  Those expectations are formed 
based on existing regulatory requirements and the expertise of Registered Professional 
Foresters and Engineers employed or contracted by the Company.  Examples of 
considerations include the specifics of the areas logged and the treatments prescribed 
for those areas, as well as the timing and success rates of the planned activities in 
terms of reforestation; and road structure and terrain for road deactivation. 

Discount rates reflect the risks specific to the decommissioning provision.  Adjustments 
are made to decommissioning provisions each period for changes in the estimated 
timing or amount of cash flows, changes in the discount rate and the unwinding of the 
discount.  As such, the discount rate reflects the current risk-free rate given that risks 
are incorporated into the future cash flow estimates. 

In periods subsequent to the initial measurement, changes in the liability resulting from 
the passage of time are recognized as Finance costs and revisions to fair value 
calculations are recognized as Production costs in Net earnings as they occur. 

(l)  Environmental costs: 

Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending upon their future 
economic benefit.  Expenditures to prevent future environmental contamination are 
capitalized as plant and equipment.  Expenditures that relate to an existing condition 
caused by past operations are expensed.  Liabilities are recorded when rehabilitation 
efforts are likely to occur and the costs can be reasonably estimated. 

Provisions are measured at the expected value of future cash flows, discounted to their 
present value and determined according to the probability of alternative estimates of 
cash flows using a current pre-tax rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability.  
The unwinding of the discount is recognized as a Finance cost in Net earnings. 

(m) Employee benefits: 

Defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit obligation accruals are 
estimated using actuarial methods and assumptions, including management’s best 
estimates of the discount rate, future investment earnings, salary escalation, and health 
care costs and are calculated using the projected unit credit method.   

Plan assets are valued at fair value for the purpose of calculating the expected return 
on plan assets. 

Actuarial gains and losses arise from actual experience being different from the 
assumptions, or changes in actuarial assumptions used to determine the defined benefit 
obligation, and are recognized in Other comprehensive income in the year in which they 
occur. 

 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

45 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(m) Employee benefits (continued): 

Pension expenses for defined contribution plans are limited to the Company’s 
contribution to the plans in respect of services rendered by employees, as the Company 
has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts.  Plans administered by 
the government and the industry-wide unionized employees’ pension plan are treated 
as defined contribution plans. 

(n) Cash-settled share based compensation: 

The Company has a Share Appreciation Rights (“SAR”) Plan, a Deferred Share Unit 
(“DSU”) Plan and a Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) Plan for directors, officers and 
certain other eligible employees.  The Company uses the fair value method of 
accounting for obligations under the SAR, DSU and TSR Plans.   

Compensation expense is recorded for SARs over the vesting period based on the 
estimated fair value of the SARs at the date of grant.  Fair value is measured using a 
Black-Scholes option pricing model and is adjusted to reflect the number of SARs 
expected to vest. 

Compensation expense is recorded for DSUs either at the time of the grant, in the case 
of DSUs which vest immediately, or over the performance period, in the case of DSUs 
with deferred vesting, based on the fair value at the date of the grant.   

Compensation expense is recorded for TSRs over the performance period based on the 
estimated fair value of the TSRs at the date of the grant.  Fair value is measured using 
a combination of call options which are valued using a Black-Scholes pricing model. 

The fair value of the SARs, DSUs and TSRs are subsequently measured at each 
reporting date with any changes in fair value reflected in the Long term incentive 
compensation expense in Net earnings.  Liabilities are recorded in Trade accounts 
payable and provisions and Provisions and other liabilities on the Statement of Financial 
Position.      

(o) Equity-settled share based compensation: 

The Company has an employee Stock Option Plan for its key employees and directors.  
The Company uses the fair value method of accounting for obligations under this Plan.   

The grant-date fair value of options is recognized as an incentive compensation 
expense, with a corresponding increase in contributed surplus, over the vesting period. 
The fair value of the options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model 
which take into account, as of the grant date, the exercise price, the expected life of the 
options, the current price of the underlying stock and its expected volatility, expected 
dividends on the shares, and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the 
option. Cash consideration received from employees when they exercise the options is 
credited to share capital, as is the previously calculated fair value included in 
contributed surplus. 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

46 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(p) Sales revenue: 

The Company recognizes sales to external customers when the product is shipped and 
title passes.  Sales are recorded on a gross basis, including amounts charged to 
customers for freight, wharfage and handling costs.  Actual costs of export taxes,  
freight, wharfage and handling are recorded to Export taxes and Production, 
respectively, in Net earnings.  

(q) Finance income and costs: 

Finance income comprises net interest income on funds invested. 

Finance costs comprise net interest expense on borrowings, the unwinding of the 
discount on decommissioning provisions, net interest on defined benefit plans, the 
amortization of prepaid finance costs and other related transaction costs. 

(r)  Income tax: 

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred income taxes. Current and 
deferred income taxes are recognized in Net earnings except to the extent that they 
relate to a business combination, or items recognized directly in Equity or in Other 
comprehensive income. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for 
the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and 
any adjustment to income tax payable in respect of previous years.  

Deferred income tax is recognized in respect of temporary differences between the 
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for accounting purposes and the amounts used 
for taxation purposes. Deferred income tax is not recognized for the following 
temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that 
is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or 
loss, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled 
entities to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable 
future.  In addition, deferred income tax is not recognized for taxable temporary 
differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill. 

Deferred income tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to 
temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the reporting date. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities 
are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, 
and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable 
entity, or on different tax entities, but the intention is to settle current tax liabilities and 
assets on a net basis or tax assets and liabilities will be realized simultaneously. 

A deferred income tax asset is recognized for unused tax losses, tax credits and 
deductible temporary differences, to the extent that it is probable that future taxable 
profits will be available against which they can be utilized. Deferred income tax assets 
are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer 
probable that the related tax benefit will be realized. 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

47 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued): 

(s) Earnings per share: 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing Net earnings by the weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period.  Diluted earnings 
per share is determined by adjusting Net earnings and the weighted average number of 
common shares outstanding during the reporting period for the effects of all dilutive 
potential common shares, including outstanding stock options, if any.   

(t)  New standards and interpretations not yet adopted: 

A number of new standards, and amendments to standards and interpretations, are not 
yet effective for the year ended December 31, 2015, and have not been applied in 
preparing these consolidated financial statements.  The following pronouncements are 
considered by the Company to be the most significant of several pronouncements that 
may affect the financial statements. 

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, will replace the multiple classification and measurement 
models in IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, with a single 
model that has only two classification categories:  amortized cost and fair value.  IFRS 
9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with earlier 
adoption permitted.  The Company does not expect this standard to have a significant 
effect on its financial statements. 

In May 2014, the International Accounting Standards Board issued IFRS 15, Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers, which will supersede IAS 18, Revenue, IAS 11, 
Construction Contracts and related interpretations.  The new standard is effective for 
annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017.  The Company is in process of 
assessing the impact, if any, on the financial statements of this new standard. 

On January 13, 2016 the International Accounting Standards Board published a new 
standard, IFRS 16, Leases, eliminating the current dual accounting model for lessees, 
which distinguishes between on-balance sheet finance leases and off-balance sheet 
operating leases.  Under the new standard, a lease becomes an on-balance sheet 
liability that attracts interest, together with a new right-of-use asset.  In addition, 
lessees will recognize a front-loaded pattern of expense for most leases, even when 
cash rentals are constant.  IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2019, with earlier adoption permitted.  The Company has not yet completed 
an assessment of the impact of this standard on its financial statements. 

 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

48 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

4.  Acquisitions: 

On March 1, 2015, Interfor concluded the acquisition of sawmill operations in Meldrim, 
Georgia; Georgetown, South Carolina; Longview, Washington; and Tacoma, Washington 
from Simpson Lumber Company, LLC (“Simpson”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase 
Agreement (“APA”) for total consideration of US$146,088,000 ($182,654,000).   

Consideration per the APA included a series of future payments tied to the financial 
performance of the Tacoma sawmill.  The contingent future payments are calculated and 
payable over three years as follows: 

(a) An annual payment equal to half of the Tacoma sawmill’s EBITDA for each of the three 

years post-closing; and 

(b) A final payment at the end of the third year equal to 2.5 times the Tacoma sawmill’s 

average annual EBITDA over the three year period.  

The minimum total contingent future payments as outlined in (a) and (b) combined are 
US$10,000,000 and the Company recorded a discounted provision of US$9,464,000 
($11,833,000) in Provisions and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial 
Position as part of the acquisition. On July 30, 2015, the Company announced a plan to exit 
its sawmilling operation located in Tacoma, Washington.  On December 22, 2015, the 
Company signed an agreement to sell the related real estate, subject to customary closing 
conditions (note 5).  The completion of the sale will accelerate the payment due date of the 
contingent liability to within 45 days of the real estate closing, with the payout expected to 
equal the US$10,000,000 minimum.   

As at December 31, 2015, the provision of US$9,643,000 was revalued at the year-end 
exchange rate to $13,345,000 and recorded in Trade accounts payable and provisions in 
the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.  The Company recorded accretion 
expense of $238,000 in 2015. 

On June 19, 2015, Interfor concluded the acquisition of sawmill operations in Monticello, 
Arkansas from The Price Lumber Company, Inc. (“Monticello”), for total consideration of 
US$35,627,000 ($43,699,000).   

In 2013, the Company acquired the Thomaston sawmill operations from Keadle Lumber 
Enterprises, Inc. (“Keadle”).  Upon acquisition, the Company agreed to pay additional 
consideration of US$7,000,000, contingent upon receipt of an upgrade to the air permit 
which allows the Company to operate a second shift. Approval was received on February 
28, 2014, and a payment of $8,743,000 was made on February 27, 2015. 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

49 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

4.  Acquisitions (continued): 

These acquisitions have been accounted for as business combinations and the value of the 
consideration transferred was allocated as follows: 

Note 

  Simpson 

 Monticello 

Keadle 

Total 

Net assets acquired: 
Current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 

9 

Current liabilities assumed 

Consideration funded by: 

Cash 
Revolving Term Loan 
Current liabilities 
Cash consideration from 
   Common Share issuance 

Cash consideration 

10(b) 

13(a) 

Contingent future payments 
Provisions and other liabilities 

11 
11 

$  57,661  $ 
  129,227 
  186,888 
(4,234) 

2,900  $ 

40,846 
43,746 
(47) 

-  $  60,561 
  170,073 
- 
  230,634 
- 
(4,281) 
- 

$  182,654  $  43,699  $ 

-  $  226,353 

-  $ 

$ 
  107,625 
- 

63,196 
  170,821 
11,833 
- 

-  $ 

43,675 
24 

- 
43,699 
- 
- 

8,743  $ 
- 
- 

8,743 
  151,300 
24 

- 
8,743 
- 
(8,743) 

63,196 
  223,263 
11,833 
(8,743) 

$  182,654  $  43,699  $ 

-  $  226,353 

Transaction costs of $2,105,000 related to the acquisitions were expensed in Selling and 
administration expenses in Net earnings in 2015. 

Since acquisition, Simpson and Monticello contributed sales of $183,502,000 and a net loss 
of $31,564,000 to the Company’s results, including a $13,238,000 net loss at the Tacoma 
sawmill. If the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2015, management estimates that 
Sales and Net loss would have been $1,745,323,000 and $37,753,000, respectively.  In 
determining these amounts, management has assumed that the fair value adjustments that 
arose on the acquisition dates would have been the same if the acquisitions had occurred 
on January 1, 2015. 

On March 14, 2014, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Interfor acquired all of the outstanding 
common shares of Tolleson Ilim Lumber Company (“Tolleson”) from Ilim Timber 
Continental, S.A. (“Ilim”), pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement for total consideration 
of $188,545,000.  Tolleson, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, owned and operated two 
sawmills in Perry and Preston, Georgia, and a remanufacturing facility in Perry, Georgia. 
Subsequent to the acquisition, both Tolleson and its wholly-owned subsidiary were merged 
into the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary which had acquired the common shares of 
Tolleson.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

50 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

4.  Acquisitions (continued): 

The Tolleson acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and the value of 
consideration transferred was allocated as follows: 

Assets acquired: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Other current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Other intangible assets 
Goodwill 

Liabilities assumed: 
Current liabilities 
Long term provisions and other liabilities 
Deferred income taxes 

Consideration funded by: 
Current liabilities 
Operating Line 
Revolving Term Line 

Cash consideration 

Share capital (3,680,000 Common Shares) 

Note 

8 
9 
9 

19 

$  2,484 
  16,790 
  86,561 
  22,190 
107,419 
235,444 

  (15,929) 
  (6,697) 
(24,273) 

$ 188,545 

$  2,086 
  24,964 
  99,855 
126,905 
61,640 

$ 188,545 

  As part of the acquisition, the Company entered into a non-competition agreement with 

Ilim under which Ilim and its associates are prohibited from carrying on various activities 
within Canada and the U.S. that would be in competition with the Company’s operating 
activities for a period of five years from the acquisition date.  An intangible asset of 
$22,190,000 was recognized in respect of this non-competition agreement, which is 
being amortized to expense over its five year term. 

In conjunction with recognizing a $24,273,000 deferred tax liability in accounting for the 
acquisition of Tolleson, the Company recognized $19,253,000 of previously unrecognized 
deferred tax assets related to its U.S. operations.   

Transaction costs of $1,368,000 related to the acquisition were expensed in Selling and 
administration expenses in Net earnings in 2014. 

5.  Assets held for sale: 

On July 30, 2015, the Company announced a plan to exit its sawmilling operation located in 
Tacoma, Washington and classified US$20,113,000 of the Tacoma sawmill property and 
buildings as assets held for sale (note 8).  As at December 31, 2015, these assets have 
been revalued at the year-end exchange rate to $27,836,000. In accordance with IFRS, 
these assets are no longer amortized. 

There is a cumulative foreign currency translation gain of $2,689,000 included in Other 
comprehensive income relating to the translation of the assets held for sale. 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

51 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

5.  Assets held for sale (continued): 

The Company does not expect to recognize any impairment losses on the remeasurement 
of the Tacoma sawmill net assets to the lower of their carrying amount and the fair value 
less costs to sell.  See note 18 for a discussion of provisions and inventory write-downs 
associated with the closure.   

A sale of substantially all assets of the Tacoma sawmill will accelerate the due date of 
contingent future payments, as described in note 4.  On December 22, 2015, the Company 
entered into a purchase and sales agreement to sell the remaining real estate assets, 
subject to customary closing conditions.  The sale is expected to complete in mid-2016.   

6.    Inventories: 

Logs 
Lumber 
Other 

2015 

2014   

$ 

69,980 
69,046 
16,714 

$ 

71,841   
66,798   
10,029   

$ 

155,740 

$ 

148,668   

Inventory expensed in the period includes production costs, depreciation of plant and 
equipment, and depletion and amortization of timber, roads and other.  The inventory 
write-down to record inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value at December 
31, 2015, was $11,961,000 (2014 - $9,025,000). 

7.  Other investments and assets: 

Timber deposits and other investments and deposits 
Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization  

$ 

2015 

1,528 
1,663 

$ 

2014   

809   
2,163   

$ 

3,191 

$ 

2,972   

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

8.  Property, plant and equipment: 

Cost 

Balance at December 31, 2013 
Additions 
Acquisitions 
Disposals 
Transfers 
Exchange rate movements 
Balance at December 31, 2014 
Additions 
Acquisitions 
Disposals 
Transfers 
Reclassification to assets held for sale 
Exchange rate movements 
Balance at December 31, 2015 

Accumulated Depreciation 

Balance at December 31, 2013 
Depreciation 
Disposals 
Transfers 
Impairment 
Exchange rate movements 
Balance at December 31, 2014 
Depreciation 
Disposals 
Transfers 
Impairment 
Reversal of impairment 
Reclassification to assets held for sale 
Exchange rate movements 
Balance at December 31, 2015 

Net book value at 

December 31, 2014 
December 31, 2015 

Note 

Land 

Buildings 

Machinery and 
Equipment 

Mobile 
Equipment 

Computer 
Equipment Improvements 

Site 

$ 

5 

$ 

5 

38,711  $ 
212 
1,930 
(106) 
- 
654 
41,401   
1,772 
30,485 
(643) 
334 
(25,066) 
3,667 

86,011  $  519,313  $ 

382 
4,972 
(123) 
1,141 
3,489 
95,872   
424 
16,199 
(5,873) 
15,194 
(1,044) 
10,359 

- 
73,368 
(1,270) 
25,626 
27,251 
644,288   

6 
99,549 
(30,868) 
65,936 
- 
81,701 

51,950  $  131,131  $  860,612  $ 

19,048  $ 
787 
2,927 
(719) 
5,163 
685 
27,891   

16 
1,844 
(1,936) 
2,157 
(1) 
2,034 
32,005  $ 
Mobile 
Equipment 

23,912  $ 
1,319 
1,535 
(21) 
370 
1,209 
28,324   
2,124 
6,152 
(4,317) 
5,471 
- 
3,807 
41,561  $ 

46,009  $ 
2,604 
1,824 
(208) 
4,445 
1,796 
56,470   
320 
2,723 
(1,803) 
6,974 
(23) 
5,071 
69,732  $ 
Site 

Buildings 

Machinery and 
Equipment 

Computer 
Equipment Improvements 

  $ 

31,029  $  202,063  $ 

4,684 
(102) 
- 
2,996 
1,147 
39,754 
5,926 
(4,991) 
138 
37 
- 
(23) 
2,848 

41,145 
(959) 
11 
16,672 
9,513 
268,445 
50,076 
(25,048) 
(592) 
2,775 
(1,195) 
- 
23,691 

  $ 

43,689  $  318,152  $ 

12,960  $ 
2,125 
(374) 
- 
- 
293 
15,004 
3,793 
(1,487) 
(3) 
- 
- 
(1) 
805 
18,111  $ 

16,409  $ 
2,934 
(14) 
(6) 
7 
831 
20,161 
5,351 
(4,294) 
349 
- 
- 
- 
2,072 
23,639  $ 

22,177  $ 
3,687 
(208) 
11 
793 
765 
27,225 
4,748 
(1,816) 
1,694 
- 
- 
- 
1,796 
33,647  $ 

52 

Projects in 
Process 

Total 

10,307  $  750,198 
47,224 
40,618 
86,561 
- 
(2,462) 
- 
(159) 
(39,207) 
35,873 
697 
917,235 
12,415   
96,110 
86,671 
170,073 
12,935 
(46,397) 
- 
(1,154) 
(95,992) 
(26,269) 
- 
109,737 
2,357 
18,386  $  1,219,335 

Total 

  $  289,268 
55,167 
(1,672) 
- 
20,468 
12,626 
375,857 
71,492 
(38,593) 
- 
2,812 
(1,195) 
(30) 
31,402 
  $  441,745 

Other 

6,887  $ 
1,302 
5 
(15) 
2,303 
92 

10,574   
4,777 
186 
(957) 
(1,228) 
(135) 
741 
13,958  $ 

Other 

4,630   
592 
(15) 
(16) 
- 
77 
5,268 
1,598 
(957) 
(1,586) 
- 
- 
(6) 
190 
4,507   

There were $477,000 of borrowing costs capitalized in 2015 (2014 - $nil).  Additions in 2015 include $2,278,000 of accrued contract costs (2014 - $1,698,000). 

$ 

41,401  $ 
51,950   

56,118  $  375,843  $ 
87,442   

542,460   

12,887  $ 
13,894   

8,163  $ 

17,922   

29,245  $ 
36,085   

5,306  $ 
9,451   

12,415  $  541,378 
777,590 
18,386   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

53 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

9.  Roads and bridges, timber tenures, other intangible assets and goodwill: 

Cost 

Note 

Balance at December 31, 2013 
Additions 
Transfers 
Acquisition 
Disposals 
Exchange rate movements 
Balance at December 31, 2014 
Additions 
Transfers 
Disposals 
Exchange rate movements 

4 

Roads and 
Bridges 

Timber 
Licences 

Other 
Intangibles 

$ 

49,926  $ 
26,656 
- 
- 
(7,461) 
279 
69,400 
26,133 
- 
(832) 
341 

129,353  $ 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
129,353 
589 
- 
(11,508) 
- 

7,073  $ 
2,818 
159 
22,190 
- 
1,179 
33,419 
911 
1,154 
(137) 
4,922 

Goodwill 

24,592 
- 
- 
107,419 
- 
5,862 
137,873 
- 
- 
- 
23,918 

Balance at December 31, 2015 

$ 

95,042  $ 

118,434  $ 

40,269  $ 

161,791 

Accumulated amortization 

Roads and 
Bridges 

Timber 
Licences 

Other 
Intangibles 

Goodwill 

$ 

Balance at December 31, 2013 
Amortization 
Disposals 
Exchange rate movements 
Balance at December 31, 2014 
Amortization 
Disposals 
Exchange rate movements 

33,702  $ 
19,539 
(6,280) 
195 
47,156 
27,285 
(178) 
168 

45,009  $ 

5,320 
- 
- 
50,329 
3,891 
(8,215) 
- 

4,653  $ 
4,053 
- 
316 
9,022 
6,302 
(137) 
1,481 

877 
- 
- 
- 
877 
- 
- 
- 

Balance at December 31, 2015 

$ 

74,431  $ 

46,005  $ 

16,668  $ 

877 

Net book value at 

December 31, 2014 
December 31, 2015 

$ 

22,244  $ 
20,611 

79,024  $ 
72,429 

24,397  $ 
23,601 

136,996 
160,914 

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill components of $13,078,000 and 
$147,835,000 are attributable to the Coastal Whitewood cash-generating unit (“CWW 
CGU”) and the U.S. Southeast cash-generating units (“SE CGU’s”), respectively.  

The recoverable amounts for the goodwill impairment assessments were based on the 
CGU’s (or groups of CGU’s) value in use and were determined by discounting the future 
cash flows generated from the continuing use of the units for a period of twenty years.  The 
cash flows were projected based on past experience, actual operating results and the five 
year business plan in the assessment for both 2014 and 2015.  Due to the cyclical nature of 
the forest industry, cash flows for a further 15 years were extrapolated based on an 
average trend year.   

The recoverable amount of both the CWW CGU and the SE CGU as at December 31, 2015, 
and December 31, 2014 were determined to be higher than the related carrying amount 
and no impairment has been recognized.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

54 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

9.  Roads and bridges, timber tenures, other intangible assets and goodwill 

(continued): 

Key assumptions used are based on industry sources, including Forest Economic Advisors, 
LLC, as well as management estimates.  These assumptions include lumber and residual 
chip sales prices, applicable foreign exchange rates, operating rates of the assets, raw 
material and conversion costs, the level of sales to the U.S. from Canada, the export tax 
rate and the future capital required to maintain the assets in their current operating 
condition.   

A pre-tax discount rate of 16 percent (2014 – 16 percent) was applied in determining the 
recoverable amount of each CGU assessed.  The discount rate was estimated with the 
assistance of external experts, past experience, and the industry average weighted average 
cost of capital.  An inflation rate of 1.0 percent (2014 – 2.0 percent) is applied to the 
projected cash flows for years four through twenty. 

The values assigned to key assumptions represent management’s assessment of future 
trends in the forest industry and are based on both external sources and internal historical 
data. 

10. Cash and borrowings: 

2015 

Available line of credit 
Maximum borrowing available 
Drawings 
Outstanding letters of credit  
included in line utilization 

Unused portion of line 

2014 

Available line of credit 
Maximum borrowing available 
Drawings 
Outstanding letters of credit  
included in line utilization 

Operating 
Line 

  Revolving 
Term 
Line 

Senior 

U.S. 
Secured  Operating 
Line 

Notes 

Total 

$  65,000    $200,000   $276,800  $  69,200  $ 611,000 
592,543 
468,759 

183,723 
179,920 

276,800 
276,800 

62,820 
- 

69,200 
12,039 

9,396 
$  53,424  $ 

- 

3,803  $ 

2,290 

- 
11,686 
-  $  54,871  $ 112,098 

$  65,000    $250,000   $116,010  $  34,803  $ 465,813 
465,813 
220,419 

250,000 
104,409 

116,010 
116,010 

65,000 
- 

34,803 
- 

Unused portion of line 

$  56,363  $ 145,591  $ 

8,637 

- 

1,183 

- 
9,820 
-  $  33,620  $ 235,574 

Minimum principal amounts due on long term debt are follows: 

2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
2020 
Thereafter 

$         

 - 
191,959¹ 
- 
- 
- 
276,800 

$  468,759 

1  On February 9, 2016, the Company extended the maturities of its Operating Line and Revolving 

Term Line from February 27, 2017 to May 19, 2019. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

55 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

10. Cash and borrowings (continued): 

(a) Operating Line: 

The Canadian operating line of credit (“Operating Line”) may be drawn in either CAD$ 
or US$ advances, and bears interest at bank prime plus a margin or, at the Company’s 
option, at rates for Bankers’ Acceptances or LIBOR based loans plus a margin, and in all 
cases dependent upon a financial ratio of total debt divided by twelve months’ trailing 
EBITDA1. Borrowing levels under the Operating Line are subject to a borrowing base 
calculation dependent on certain accounts receivable and inventories.   

The Operating Line is secured by a general security agreement which includes a security 
interest in all accounts receivable and inventories, charges against timber tenures, and 
mortgage security on certain sawmills. The Operating Line is subject to certain financial 
covenants including a minimum working capital requirement, a maximum ratio of total 
debt to total capitalization and a minimum net worth calculation.  

The Operating Line matures on February 27, 2017.   

On February 9, 2016, the Company extended the maturity of its Operating Line and 
Revolving Term Line from February 27, 2017 to May 19, 2019. Certain other terms 
were also changed, resulting in an increase in the maximum borrowing available under 
the financing agreement. 

As at December 31, 2015, maximum borrowings available under the Company’s 
Operating Line and Revolving Term Line were restricted by a financial covenant in the 
underlying credit agreement.  In the table above, this limitation has been applied to the 
Operating Line and Revolving Term Line limits.  Based on the changes to the agreement 
terms effective on February 9, 2016, this restriction was removed and total available 
liquidity would have been $147,011,000 as at December 31, 2015. 

As at December 31, 2015, the Operating Line was drawn by $9,396,000 (2014 - 
$8,637,000), including outstanding letters of credit. The Company did not recognize any 
unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses (2014 - $72,000 gain) in Other 
comprehensive income in relation to the Operating Line borrowing in 2015. 

As at December 31, 2015, $53,424,000 of available credit on the Operating Line was 
unused (2014 - $56,363,000).   

(b) Revolving Term Line: 

The Revolving Term Line may be drawn in either CAD$ or US$ advances, and bears 
interest at bank prime plus a margin or, at the Company’s option, at rates for Bankers’ 
Acceptances or LIBOR based loans plus a margin, and in all cases dependent upon a 
financial ratio of total debt divided by twelve months’ trailing EBITDA1.   

1  EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and 

non-cash asset revaluations. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

56 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

10. Cash and borrowings (continued): 

(b) Revolving Term Line (continued): 

The Revolving Term Line is secured by a general security agreement which includes a 
security interest in all accounts receivable and inventories, charges against timber 
tenures, and mortgage security on certain sawmills. The Revolving Term Line is subject 
to certain financial covenants including a minimum working capital requirement, a 
maximum ratio of total debt to total capitalization and a minimum net worth calculation. 

On March 16, 2015, the Company decreased the credit available under its Revolving 
Term Line from $250,000,000 to $200,000,000. All other terms and conditions 
remained unchanged. 

The Revolving Term Line matures on February 27, 2017.  Refer to note 10(a) for a 
subsequent event impacting the maturity date of the Revolving Term Line. 

As at December 31, 2015, maximum borrowings available under the Company’s 
Operating Line and Revolving Term Line were restricted by a financial covenant in the 
underlying credit agreement.  In the table above, this limitation has been applied to the 
Operating Line and Revolving Term Line limits.  As indicated in note 10(a), this 
restriction was removed by changes to the agreement terms effective February 9, 2016. 

As at December 31, 2015, the Revolving Term Line was drawn by US$130,000,000 
(2014 – US$90,000,000) revalued at the year-end exchange rate to $179,920,000 
(2014 - $104,409,000).  As at December 31, 2015, $3,803,000 of available credit on 
the Revolving Term Line was unused (2014 - $145,591,000).   

All outstanding U.S. Dollar drawings under the Revolving Term Line have been 
designated as a hedge against the Company’s investment in its U.S. operations and 
foreign exchange losses of $30,649,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 (2014 - 
$10,770,000 loss) arising on revaluation of the Revolving Term Line were recognized in 
Foreign currency translation differences in Other comprehensive income.  

(c) Senior Secured Notes: 

On March 16, 2015, the Company issued US$100,000,000 of Series C Senior Secured 
Notes, bearing interest at 4.17%. Together with the Series A Senior Secured Notes 
(US$50,000,000, bearing interest at 4.33%) and Series B Senior Secured Notes 
(US$50,000,000, bearing interst at 4.02%), US$200,000,000 of Senior Secured Notes 
were outstanding as at December 31, 2015 (2014 – US$100,000,000) and revalued at 
the year-end exchange rate to $276,800,000 (2014 - $116,010,000).   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

57 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

10. Cash and borrowings (continued): 

(c) Senior Secured Notes (continued): 

The Senior Secured Notes are subject to certain financial covenants including a 
minimum working capital requirement, a maximum ratio of total debt to total 
capitalization and a minimum net worth calculation. Total payments of US$33,333,000 
(US$16,667,000 for each of the Series A and Series B Senior Secured Notes) are 
required on each of June 26, 2021 and 2022, with the balance due on June 26, 2023 
for the Series A and B Senior Secured Notes.  Payments of US$33,333,000 are required 
on each of March 26, 2024 and 2025, with the balance due on March 26, 2026 for the 
Series C Senior Secured Notes. In conjuction with the modifications to the Operating 
Line and Revolving Term Line effective February 9, 2016, as per note 10(a), certain 
financial covenants of the Senior Secured Notes were also modified.  All other terms 
and conditions remained unchanged. 

The Senior Secured Notes have been designated as a hedge against the Company’s 
investment in its U.S. operations and unrealized foreign exchange losses of 
$32,760,000 (2014 - $4,705,000 loss) arising on their revaluation were recognized in 
Foreign currency translation differences in Other comprehensive income for the year 
ended December 31, 2015. 

(d) U.S. Operating Line: 

The U.S. Operating Line bears  interest at rates for LIBOR based loans plus a margin 
and is secured by accounts receivable and inventories of wholly-owned subsidiary, 
Interfor U.S. Inc.  The U.S. Operating Line is subject to a minimum net worth covenant, 
with borrowing levels subject to a collateral calculation dependent upon certain 
accounts receivable and inventories. On April 27, 2015, the Company extended the 
maturity of its U.S. Operating Line from April 28, 2015 to May 1, 2017 and increased 
the credit available from US$30,000,000 to US$50,000,000.   

As at December 31, 2015, the U.S. Operating Line was drawn by US$10,354,000, 
including outstanding letters of credit, revalued at the year-end exchange rate to 
$14,330,000 (2014 – US$1,020,000 revalued at the year-end exchange rate to 
$1,183,000), with cumulative foreign exchange losses of $2,053,000 (2014 - $115,000 
loss) recognized in Foreign currency translation differences in Other comprehensive 
income for the year ended December 31, 2015.  

As at December 31, 2015, $54,871,000 (US$39,647,000) of the U.S. Operating Line 
was unused (2014 - $33,620,000, US$28,980,000). 

(d) Cash and cash equivalents: 

At December 31, 2015, the Company’s cash balances are restricted by contractor 
holdback payments of $784,000 (2014 - $15,000). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

58 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

11. Provisions and other liabilities: 

2015 

Note 

Current 

Non-current 

11(a), 18 
Restructuring 
11(a) 
Road deactivation 
Environmental 
11(a) 
Cash-settled share based compensation   
11(b) 
11(c) 
11(d) 
Storm damage remediation funds  11(e) 
Contingent future payment  
4, 5 
Retained compensation liabilities 
11(f) 
Lease incentives and other 

SAR Plan 
TSR Plan 
DSU Plan 

494 
$ 
            392 
56 

$ 

6,089 
4,189 
- 
224 
13,345 
2,665 
179 

1,681 
3,776 
770 

879 
1,525 
8,651 
291 
- 
40 
2,415 

$  

Total 

 2,175 
4,168 
826 

6,968 
5,714 
8,651 
515 
13,345 
2,705 
2,594 

$  27,633 

$  20,028 

$  47,661 

2014 

Note 

Current 

Non-current 

11(a), 18 
Restructuring 
11(a) 
Road deactivation 
Environmental 
11(a) 
Cash-settled share based compensation   
11(b) 
11(c) 
11(d) 
Storm damage remediation funds  11(e) 
11(f) 
Retained compensation liabilities 
Air permit contingent payment  
11(g) 
Lease incentives and other 

SAR Plan 
TSR Plan 
DSU Plan 

$ 

627 
406 
56 

12,450 
10,614 
763 
224 
7,193 
8,121 
1,175 

$ 

1,498 
3,645 
772 

$ 

2,494 
5,059 
10,614 
310 
382 
- 
416 

Total 

2,125 
4,051 
828 

14,944 
15,673 
11,377 
534 
7,575 
8,121 
1,591 

$  41,629 

$  25,190 

$  66,819 

The current portion of provisions and other liabilities is included in Trade accounts payable 
and provisions in the Statements of Financial Position. 

(a) Provisions: 

Forestry legislation in British Columbia requires the Company to deactivate logging 
roads once harvesting is complete and access is no longer required.  Accordingly, the 
Company records the fair value of the costs of road deactivation in the period in which 
the timber is harvested, with the fair value of the liability determined with reference to 
the present value of estimated future cash flows.  

Environmental provisions are made when rehabilitation efforts are likely to occur and 
the costs can be reasonably estimated.  The environmental provision relates primarily 
to obligations of the Castlegar sawmill.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

59 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

11. Provisions and other liabilities (continued): 

(a) Provisions (continued): 

Provisions are measured at the expected value of future cash flows, discounted to their 
present value and determined according to the probability of alternative estimates of 
cash flows using a current pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the 
liability.  The unwinding of the discount is recognized as a Finance cost in Net earnings. 

Balance at December 31, 2013 

$ 

530 

$ 

3,916 

$ 

792 

Note 

Restructuring  Road deactivation 

Environmental 

Provisions made during year 
Expenditures made during year 
Unwind of discount 
Changes in estimated future expenditures 
Exchange rate movements 

18 

3,248 
(1,810) 
- 
- 
157 

628 
(103) 
83 
(473) 
- 

Balance at December 31, 2014 

2,125 

4,051 

Provisions made during year 
Expenditures made during year 
Unwind of discount 
Changes in estimated future expenditures 
Exchange rate movements 

18 

4,131 
(4,556) 
- 
- 
475 

346 
(218) 
58 
(69) 
- 

- 
(2) 
15 
23 
- 

828 

- 
- 
10 
(12) 
- 

Balance at December 31, 2015 

$ 

2,175 

$ 

4,168 

$ 

826 

(b) Share Appreciation Rights Plan: 

Awards under the SAR Plan have been granted to directors, officers and certain 
employees of the Company.  The vesting of SARs occurs at a rate of 40% two years 
after granting and 20% per annum thereafter.  SARs expire ten years after the date of 
grant.  The SAR Plan uses notional units that are valued based on the Company’s 
Common Share price on the Toronto Stock Exchange.  The units are exercisable for 
cash and recorded as liabilities.  Under the SAR Plan, awards will be expensed over the 
vesting periods based on the estimated fair value of the SARs at the date of grant.  Fair 
value is measured using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and is adjusted to reflect 
the number of SARs expected to vest.  Fair value of the SARs is subsequently measured 
at each reporting date with any change in fair value resulting in a change in the 
measure of the compensation for the award, which is amortized over the remaining 
vesting periods.     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

60 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

11. Provisions and other liabilities (continued): 

(b) Share Appreciation Rights Plan (continued): 

Details of the Company’s SAR Plan for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
are as follows: 

2015 

  Weighted 
average 
strike price 

Units 

Outstanding, beginning of year  1,113,953 
- 
Granted 
(149,100) 
Exercised 
(35,045) 
Expired or cancelled 

$  7.35 
- 
  5.77 
  9.52 

2014 

  Weighted 
average 
strike price 

$  5.62 
17.43 
5.19 
5.12 

Units 

1,410,850 
147,403 
(416,300) 
(28,000) 

Outstanding, end of year 

929,808 

$  7.52 

  1,113,953 

$  7.35 

Units exercisable, end of year 

509,250 

$  5.03 

427,350 

$  4.37 

Weighted average fair value assumptions for grants made in 2015 and 2014 are as 
follows: 

Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life 
Annualized volatility 
Dividend rate 
Termination rate 
Grant date fair value 

2015 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

2014 

2.0% 
8.2 years 
45% 
0% 
12% 
$9.06 

Details of units outstanding under the SAR Plan at December 31, 2015 are as follows:  

Number 
outstanding, 
December 31, 
2015 

Strike 
price 

282,950 
$1.38-$4.64 
147,400 
$4.77-$5.40 
$6.01-$7.09 
156,800 
$8.02-$17.43  342,658 

Units outstanding 
Weighted 

average  Weighted 
average 
strike price 

remaining 
unit life (yrs) 

5.0 
3.7 
4.6 
7.3 

$  3.45 
  4.89 
6.25 
12.57 

Units exercisable 

Number 
exercisable, 
December 31, 
2015 

187,250 
145,400 
109,600 
67,000 

Weighted 
average 
strike price 

$  2.90 
  4.88 
6.35 
9.18 

929,808 

$  7.52 

509,250 

$  5.03 

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded a Long term incentive 
compensation recovery in respect of the SAR Plan of $4,730,000 (2014 – expense of 
$9,210,000).   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

61 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

11. Provisions and other liabilities (continued): 

(c) Total Shareholder Return Plan: 

Under terms of the TSR Plan, a participant will receive a target number of performance 
share units (“PSUs”) based on a target award divided by the value of the Company’s 
Common Shares at the effective date of the grant.  The number of PSUs which will 
ultimately vest will be in a range from 50% to 150% of the original grant based on total 
shareholder return over a three year performance period. 

The number of PSU’s outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: 

Outstanding, beginning of year 
Granted 
Matured 
Cancelled 

2015 

709,214 
144,975 
(335,990) 
- 

2014 

872,699  
171,730 
(326,961) 
(8,254) 

Outstanding, end of year 

518,199 

709,214 

Compensation expense is recorded for the TSR Plan over the performance period based 
on the estimated fair value of the TSR Plan payable at the date of the grant.  The fair 
value of obligations under the TSR Plan is subsequently measured at each reporting 
date with any changes in fair value reflected in Long term incentive compensation 
expense in Net earnings.   

Fair value of the TSR Plan is measured using a combination of call options which are 
valued using a Black-Sholes pricing model with weighted average assumptions for 
grants as follows: 

Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life 
Annualized volatility 
Dividend rate 
Termination rate 
Grant date fair value 

2015 

2014 

0.9% 
3 years 
47% to 56% 
0.00% 
0.00% 
$2,340 

1.4% 
3 years 
47% to 56% 
0.00% 
0.00% 
$2,175 

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded Long term incentive 
compensation expense under the TSR Plan of $655,000 (2014 – $10,429,000).    

(d) Deferred Share Unit Plan: 

The Company’s directors and certain officers participate in the DSU Plan.  The DSU 
Plan, which allows for immediate or deferred vesting, is intended to provide a better 
link between share performance and compensation for the participants, in that DSUs 
either increase or decrease in value in a direct relationship with the market price of the 
Company’s Common Shares.   

Participants in the TSR Plan may elect, subject to the approval of the Company’s Board 
of Directors, to receive their award in DSUs at the end of any performance period.  
DSUs may also be granted directly to directors or officers of the Company at the 
discretion of the Board of Directors, who are required to take DSUs as payment of at 
minimum 60% of their annual retainer. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

62 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

11. Provisions and other liabilities (continued): 

(d) Deferred Share Unit Plan (continued): 

The number of DSUs outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: 

2015 

2014 

Outstanding, beginning of year    551,249 
157,973 
Granted¹ 
(86,271) 
Exercised 

Units 

Average 
unit value 

$21.27 
  18.73 
  21.91 

Units 

498,593 
70,656 
(18,000) 

Average 
unit value 

$13.48 
  15.29 
  21.51 

Outstanding, end of year 

622,951 

$14.06 

  551,249 

$21.27 

¹Fair value at the date of the grants. 

Changes to the market value of the Company’s Common Shares subsequent to issuance 
of awards will result in adjustments to the compensation accrual and Long term 
incentive compensation expense in Net earnings.  In the year ended December 31, 
2105, the Company recorded a recovery of $2,835,000 (2014 – expense of $4,890,000) 
in respect to the DSU Plan, of which a $3,795,000 recovery (2014 – expense of 
$4,294,000) was recorded in Long term compensation and a $960,000 expense (2014 - 
$596,000), related to payment for director’s fees, was recorded in Selling and 
administration.   

(e) Storm damage remediation funds: 

In 2011, the Company settled with its insurers for recovery of certain losses relating to 
storm damage suffered in 2010.  An amount of $1,576,000 was set up as a provision 
for future remediation on roads and bridges.  Under the terms of the insurance 
settlement, the insurance proceeds must be used for remediation.  As at December 31, 
2015, $515,000 (2014 - $534,000) of this provision remains unspent.  

(f)  Retained compensation liabilities: 

Upon acquisition of the Tolleson sawmills on March 17, 2014, the Company assumed 
certain incentive payments payable to certain senior management over a four year 
period.  The incentive is earned and recognized as a liability over the incentive period. 
The liability of US$1,954,000 (2014 – US$6,530,000) was revalued at the year-end 
exchange rate to $2,705,000 (2014 - $7,575,000).  

(g) Air permit contingent payment: 

Upon acquisition of the Thomaston sawmill operations from Keadle Lumber Enterprises 
Inc. in 2013, the Company agreed to pay additional consideration of US$7,000,000, 
contingent upon receipt of an upgrade to the air permit which will allow the Company to 
operate a second shift (note 4).  Approval was received on February 28, 2014 and a 
payment of $8,743,000 was made on February 27, 2015. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

63 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

12. Reforestation liability: 

The Company has an obligation to reforest areas harvested under various timber rights.  
The obligation is incurred as logging occurs and the fair value of the liability for 
reforestation is determined with reference to the present value of estimated future cash 
flows required to settle the obligation.   

Changes in the reforestation liability for the years ended December 31 are as follows: 

Reforestation liability, beginning of year 
Reforestation expense on current logging and  

market logging agreements 

Reforestation expenditures 
Unwind of discount 
Changes in estimated future reforestation expenditures 

Consisting of: 

Current reforestation liability 
Long term reforestation liability 

2015 

2014 

$  32,896 

$  32,416 

12,888 
(9,691) 
360 
(327) 

11,264 
(11,770) 
529 
457 

$  36,126 

$  32,896 

$  11,052 
25,074 

$ 

9,797 
23,099 

$  36,126 

$  32,896 

The total undiscounted amount of the estimated future expenditures required to settle the 
reforestation obligation, adjusted for inflation, at December 31, 2015 is $37,848,000 (2014 
- $34,628,000).  The reforestation expenditures are expected to occur over the next one to 
fifteen years and have been discounted at a long term risk-free interest rate of 2% (2014 – 
2%).  Reforestation expense resulting from obligations arising from current logging and 
changes in estimated future expenditures are included in Production costs for the year and 
expense related to the unwinding of the discount is included in Finance costs.   

13. Share capital: 

(a) Share transactions: 

Authorized capital at December 31, 2015 consists of: 

  150,000,000 Common Shares (“Shares”) without par value; and 

  5,000,000 Preference Shares without par value. 

On May 6, 2014, the Company eliminated its 1,700,000 authorized Class B Common 
Shares (“Class B”), known as Multiple Voting Shares, re-designated its Class A 
Subordinate Voting Shares (“Class A”) as Common Shares, and increased its authorized 
Common Shares by 50,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

64 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

13. Share capital (continued): 

(a) Share transactions (continued): 

Share transactions during 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 

Issued and Fully Paid 
Balance, December 31, 2013 
Shares issued in business 
     combination (note 4) 
Balance, December 31, 2014 
Shares issued for cash, net of 
     Share issue costs (note 4) 
Balance, December 31, 2015 

Number 
63,050,455 

  Amount 
$  428,723 

3,680,000 
66,730,455 

61,640 
  490,363 

3,300,000 
70,030,455 

63,196 
$  553,559 

On January 27, 2015, the Company closed a bought deal public offering of subscription 
receipts (the “Subscription Receipts”) through a syndicate of underwriters. The 
Company issued an aggregate of 3,300,000 Subscription Receipts (including 300,000 
Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option) at a 
price of $20.10 per Subscription Receipt, for cash proceeds, net of share issue costs, of 
$63,196,000. In connection with the completion of the Simpson acquisition (note 4), 
each Subscription Receipt was exchanged, for no additional consideration, for one 
Common Share of the Company. The shares were issued on March 2, 2015 (note 4). 

On March 14, 2014, the Company issued 3,680,000 Shares at a share price of $16.75 
per share to partially fund the acquisition of Tolleson (note 4). 

At December 31, 2015, 1,631,740 Shares are reserved for possible future issuance 
pursuant to the share option plan. 

(b) Equity-settled share based compensation: 

The Company has an employee stock option plan for its key employees and directors 
under which options may be granted to purchase up to 1,631,740 Shares, of which 
1,567,565 remain available for issuance. The vesting of the options occurs at a rate of 
40% two years after granting and 20% per annum thereafter.  Options expire ten years 
after the date of the grant. The exercise price of a stock option is at a price not less 
than the closing price of a Common Share on the trading day immediately preceding 
the grant date. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

65 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

13. Share capital (continued): 

(b) Equity-settled share based compensation (continued): 

Details of the Company’s equity-settled share based compensation plan for the years 
ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: 

2015 

2014 

  Weighted  
average 
exercise price 

Options 

  Weighted 
average 
exercise price 

Options 

Outstanding, beginning of year   
Granted 
Exercised 
Expired or cancelled 

- 
78,926 
- 
(14,751) 

$ 

- 
  21.85 
- 
  22.22 

$ 

- 
- 
- 
- 

Outstanding, end of year 

64,175 

$ 

21.77 

  - 

$ 

Options exercisable, end of year 

- 

$ 

- 

  - 

$ 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

Weighted average fair value assumptions for grants made in 2015 and 2014 are as 
follows: 

Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life 
Annualized volatility 
Dividend rate 
Termination rate 
Grant date fair value 

2015 

1.3% 
8.2 years 
45% 
0% 
12% 
$10.48 

2014 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Details  of  options  outstanding  under  the  option  plan  at  December  31,  2015  are  as 
follows:  

Number 
outstanding, 
December 31, 

Units outstanding 
Weighted 
average 
remaining 

Weighted 

Number 
exercisable, 
average  December 31, 
2015 

2015  unit life (yrs)  exercise price 

Units exercisable 

Weighted 
average 
strike price 

Strike 
price 

$17.26-$22.22 

64,175 

9.2 

$ 

21.77 

- 

$ 

- 

The Company recognized an expense of $189,000 for the year ended December 31, 
2015 (2014 - $nil) in Contributed surplus. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

66 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

14. Depreciation, depletion and amortization: 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization allocated by function are as follows: 

Production 
Selling and administration 

15. Personnel expenses: 

2015 

2014 

$  100,988 
7,982 

$  79,359 
4,720 

$  108,970 

$  84,079 

Note 

2015 

2014 

Wages and salaries 
Government administered pensions and  

unemployment insurance 
Workers’ compensation insurance 
Contributions to defined contribution plans 
Expenses related to defined benefit plans 
Cash-settled share based payment transactions  
and other long term compensation expense 

Medical, dental, group insurance and other 

22 
22 

11 

16. Finance costs: 

Recognized in Net earnings (loss): 

Interest on borrowing 
Net interest on defined benefit plans 
Unwind of discount on provisions 
Amortization of deferred finance costs 

Recognized in Other comprehensive income: 

$  219,362 

$  178,902 

12,817 
7,505 
10,948 
1,304 

5,431 
34,027 

  10,054 
5,046 
9,543 
1,270 

  23,933 
16,446 

$  291,394 

$  245,194 

2015 

$  (16,034) 
(11) 
(667) 
(857) 

$ 

2014 

(7,568) 
79 
(627) 
(799) 

$  (17,569) 

$ 

(8,915) 

2015 

2014 

Effective portion of changes in fair value of interest rate swap 

$ 

(71) 

$ 

(34) 

17. Other income (expense): 

Gain (loss) on disposal of surplus equipment, licences and roads  $ 
Gain (loss) on lumber futures trading 

2015 

758 
(1) 

2014 

(46) 
9 

$ 

$ 

757 

$ 

(37) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

67 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

18. Restructuring costs: 

Tacoma sawmill: 

Write-down of inventories 
Severance 
Site closure costs 
Onerous contract 

Beaver-Forks operation: 

Write-down (reversal of write-down) of  
  plant and equipment 
Severance 
Onerous contract 
Write-down of inventories 

Other 

Write-down of equipment 
Severance 
Other 

Note 

6 
9 
9 
9 

9 
9 
9 
9 

9 
9 

$ 

2015 

6,475 
3,016 
574 
64 

(1,195) 
5 
175 
32 

2,812 
871 
- 

$ 

2014 

- 
- 
- 
- 

20,468 
689 
1,673 
- 

- 
886 
413 

$  12,829 

$  24,129 

On July 31, 2014, the Company permanently closed its Beaver-Forks operation, located on 
the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, USA and sold substantially all of the related assets 
on February 26, 2015.  

On July 30, 2015, the Company announced a plan to exit the Tacoma sawmill (note 4), 
classified the assets as Assets held for sale (note 5) and recorded related restructuring 
charges.  Inventory write-downs reflect extraordinary declines in fair value of inventory 
subsequent to decision date.  

In December, 2015, the Company recorded an impairment against boilers at its Preston 
sawmill located in Georgia, U.S., which are to be replaced in 2016 for regulatory 
compliance. 

19. Income taxes: 

Income tax expense is as follows:  

Current tax expense: 
Current year 
Adjustments for prior periods 

Deferred income tax expense (recovery): 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Change in unrecognized deferred income tax assets 

$ 

2015 

895 
(281) 
614 

$ 

2014 

1,281 
61 
1,342 

(25,767) 
1,136 
(24,631) 

3,330 
(20,902) 
  (17,572) 

$  (24,017) 

$  (16,230) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

68 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

19. Income taxes (continued): 

Income tax expense (recovery) recognized in Other comprehensive income is as follows: 

Defined benefit plan actuarial losses 
Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations 

$ 

2015 
(376) 
(321) 

$ 

2014 
- 
176 

$ 

(697) 

$ 

176 

The reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate to the income tax recovery is as 
follows: 

Income tax expense (recovery) at the statutory rate of 

26.00% (2014 – 26.00%) 

Change in unrecognized deferred income tax assets 
Entities with different tax rates and foreign rate adjustments 
Other 

2015 

2014 

$  (14,145) 
1,136 
(12,702) 
1,694 

$ 

6,360 
  (20,902) 
(639) 
(1,049) 

$  (24,017) 

$  (16,230) 

The statutory tax rate did not change from 2014.  

The Company has the following non-capital loss carryforwards that are available to reduce 
future taxable income: 

(a)  Canadian non-capital loss carry-forwards which total approximately $125,000,000 

(2014 - $123,000,000), and expire between 2029 and 2033.  

(b)  U.S. net operating loss carry-forwards which total approximately US$179,000,000 

(2014 - US$109,000,000), and expire between 2023 and 2035. 

Unrecognized deferred income taxes: 

The Company has unrecognized deferred income tax assets in relation to certain deductible 
temporary differences and unused tax losses that are available to carry forward against 
future taxable income.  

Although the Company expects to realize the full benefit of the loss carry-forwards and 
other deferred income tax assets, due to the cyclical nature of the wood products industry 
and the economic conditions over the past several years, the Company has not recognized 
the benefit of its deferred income tax assets in excess of its deferred income tax liabilities 
in respect of Canadian operations, except in limited circumstances. 

Deferred income tax assets related to the Company’s Canadian operations are not 
recognized in respect of the following: 

Non-capital losses carried forward 
Deductible temporary differences 

2015 

$  27,313 
11,398 

2014 

$  22,769 
6,273 

$  38,711 

$  29,042 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

69 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

19. Income taxes (continued): 

Recognized deferred income taxes assets (liabilities):  

December 31, 2015 
Deferred income tax assets 

Opening 
Balance 

 Recognized in 

  Recognized 
in Other 
Income Tax  Comprehensive   

Acquired 
in Business 
Income (loss)  Combination 

Expense 

Ending 
Balance 

Losses 
Reserves 
Tax credits 
Defined benefit plan  
     actuarial losses 
Share issuance costs 
Other 

Deferred income tax liabilities 

Capital assets 
Foreign currency  
     translation differences   
     for foreign operations  

$  72,304 
24,579 
955 

$  45,323 
(5,847) 
(844) 

$ 

692 
694 
2,538 

(108,245) 

- 
- 
(18) 

(13,983) 

- 
- 
- 

376 
- 
- 

- 

(176) 

- 

321 

$ 

-  $  117,627 
18,732 
- 
111 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

1,068 
694 
2,520 

(122,228) 

145 

$  (6,659) 

$  24,631 

$ 

697 

$ 

-  $  18,669 

December 31, 2014 
Deferred income tax assets 

Opening 
Balance 

 Recognized in 

  Recognized 
in Other 
Income Tax  Comprehensive   

Acquired 
in Business 
Income (loss)  Combination 

Expense 

Ending 
Balance 

Losses 
Reserves 
Tax credits 
Defined benefit plan  
     actuarial losses 
Share issuance costs 
Other 

Deferred income tax liabilities 

Capital assets 
Foreign currency 
     translation differences  
     for foreign operations 

$  59,904 
15,242 
955 

$  12,400 
3,093 
- 

$ 

692 
694 
1,252 

(78,521) 

- 
- 
1,474 

605 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

$ 

-  $  72,304 
24,579 
955 

6,244 
- 

- 
- 
(188) 

692 
694 
2,538 

(30,329) 

(108,245) 

- 

- 

(176) 

- 

(176) 

$ 

218 

$  17,572 

$ 

(176) 

$ (24,273)  $ 

(6,659) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

70 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

20. Commitments and contingencies: 

(a) Operating leases and contractual obligations: 

The Company is obligated under various operating leases and contracts requiring 
minimum annual payments in each of the next five years as follows: 

2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
2020 

$  19,310 
7,840 
5,070 
4,560 
2,700 

(b) Surety Performance Bonds: 

The Company has posted $35,746,000 in surety performance bonds, with various 
expiry dates extending through December, 2020. 

(c) Softwood Lumber Agreement: 

The Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement (“SLA”) expired on October 12, 2015, 
eliminating export taxes on Canadian softwood lumber shipments to the United States.  

A standstill provision within the SLA precludes the U.S. from bringing trade action 
against Canadian softwood lumber producers for twelve months from expiry of the 
agreement.  It is uncertain whether a new agreement between the Governments of 
Canada and the U.S. will be reached. 

It is not yet possible to reasonably assess the future impact of possible trade actions 
against the Company therefore no accrual has been recognized as of December 31, 
2015. 

(d) Other contingencies: 

The Company is subject to a number of claims arising in the normal course of business 
in respect of which either an adequate provision has been made or for which no 
material liability is expected. 

21. Net earnings per share: 

Net earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to shareholders and a 
weighted average number of Shares, as definited in note 13, outstanding for the year.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

71 

21. Net earnings per share (continued): 

The reconciliation of the numerator and denominator is determined as follows: 

2015 

  Weighted 
average 
Net  number of 
loss 

Shares  Per Share 

2014 

  Weighted 
average 
Net  number of 
Shares 

earnings 

Per Share 

Issued Shares at 
  January 1 
Effect of Shares issued on: 

March 14, 2014 
March 2, 2015 
Basic and diluted 
earnings (loss) 
per Share 

66,730 

- 
2,758 

63,050 

2,955 
- 

$ (30,386) 

69,488*  $ 

(0.44) 

$  40,690 

66,005 

$ 

0.62 

*As the addition of stock options to the total Shares outstanding has an anti-dilutive impact on the 
diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation, those stock options have not been included in the total 
shares outstanding for purposes of the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per Share. 

22. Employee future benefits and other post-retirement plans: 

The Company maintains a number of savings and retirement plans that are available to 
employees that meet certain eligibility requirements.  

(a) Defined contribution plans: 

In Canada, salaried employees of the Company are provided with the opportunity to 
make voluntary contributions to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (“RRSP”) based 
on a percentage of an employee’s earnings.  The Company matches employees’ RRSP 
contributions with contributions to a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (“DPSP”) with the 
employee’s future retirement benefits based on these contributions along with 
investment earnings on the contributions.   

For the DPSP, the Company’s funding obligations are satisfied upon making cash 
contributions to an employee’s account.  For 2015, the pension expense for this plan is 
equal to the Company’s contribution of $1,785,000 (2014 - $2,649,000).  

Certain eligible employees of the Canadian Merchant Services Guild (“CMSG”) are 
required to make contributions based on a percentage of earnings into a defined 
contribution plan.  For 2015, the pension expense is equal to the Company’s 
contribution of $44,000 (2014 - $49,000). 

Employees of Interfor U.S. Inc. and Interfor Cedarprime Inc., wholly-owned U.S. 
operating subsidiaries of the Company, contribute a percentage of their earnings to a 
401(k) plan which the Company matches and which vest immediately.  The Company’s 
funding obligations are satisfied upon making cash contributions to an employee’s 
account.  For 2015, the pension expense for this plan is equal to the Company’s 
contribution of $4,374,000 (2014 - $2,502,000).   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

72 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

22.  Employee future benefits and other post-retirement plans (continued): 

(b) Unionized employees’ pension plan: 

The Company contributes to an industry-wide benefit plan for unionized employees 
based on a predetermined amount per hour worked by an employee.  For 2015, the 
pension expense for these plans is equal to the Company’s contribution of $3,958,000 
(2014 - $3,346,000).  As there is insufficient information available to enable the 
Company to account for this plan as a defined benefit plan, the plan has been 
accounted for as a defined contribution plan.  The Company’s liability is limited to its 
contributions. 

(c) Supplementary pension plans: 

The Company provides supplementary pension benefits to certain members of its senior 
management in the form of a notional extension to the DPSP in Canada and the 401(k) 
plan in the U.S.  These commitments are not funded but are fully accrued by the 
Company, with a portion of the commitments being secured by irrevocable letters of 
credit. 

During 2015 the Company recorded an expense of $788,000 (2014 - $792,000) in 
respect of these plans.  The amounts accrued for defined contribution commitments is 
$6,062,000 (2014 - $5,481,000). 

The accrued liabilities of this plan are included in the Company’s Statements of Financial 
Position as follows: 

Trade accounts payable and provisions 
Employee future benefits obligation 

(d) Defined benefit plans: 

$ 

2015 
418 
5,644 

$ 

2014 
372 
5,109 

$ 

6,062 

$ 

5,481 

The Company and the non-union hourly employees at the Adams Lake operations make 
contributions to a defined benefit pension plan that provides pension benefits upon 
retirement.  The plan entitles a retired employee to receive monthly payments based on 
a schedule of defined benefit accruals for different periods of service. 

The Company makes contributions to a defined benefit pension plan that provides 
pension benefits to certain eligible employees of the CMSG upon retirement.  The plan 
provides a retired employee a monthly payment based on a percentage of their average 
earnings at retirement, and their years of service. In addition, the Company provides 
post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain eligible CMSG retirees. 

The Company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for a former 
senior executive. 

The Company provides post retirement life insurance benefits to eligible retirees of a 
wholly-owned subsidiary, Seaboard Shipping Company Limited (“SSCL”).  In addition, 
specified individuals at SSCL receive a supplemental pension based on a percentage of 
final average earnings at retirement, and years of service. In 2014, SSCL settled all 
plan benefits for a defined benefit pension plan, which was terminated December 31, 
2013. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

73 

22.  Employee future benefits and other post-retirement plans (continued): 

(d) Defined benefit plans (continued): 

The Company measures its defined benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets 
for accounting purposes as at December 31 of each year.  

The most recent and the next scheduled actuarial valuations for funding purposes for 
the significant pension plans are: 

Adams Lake Pension Plan 
CMSG Pension Plan  

December 31, 2013  
December 31, 2013  

December 31, 2016 
December 31, 2016 

Most Recent Valuation 

Next Scheduled Valuation 

The significant pension plans are subject to the statutory requirements (including 
minimum funding requirements) of their respective jurisdictions and the Income Tax 
Act.  Each plan’s pace of funding is determined by the Company, subject to the 
statutory minimums and maximums. 

In 2015, the Company paid contributions of $698,000 (2014 - $1,333,000), and in lieu 
of making cash special payments to fund certain deficits, posted letters of credits 
totaling $2,464,000 (2014 - $2,376,000).  In 2016, the Company expects to pay 
contributions of $732,000 to its defined benefit plans, and hold a total of $2,464,000 of 
letters of credit. 

The Company has determined that, in accordance with statutory requirements of the 
plans (such as minimum funding requirements), the present value of refunds or 
reductions in future contributions for all plans is not lower than the balance of the total 
fair value of the plan assets less the total present value of obligations.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

74 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

22.  Employee future benefits and other post-retirement plans (continued): 

(d) Defined benefit plans (continued): 

The following summarizes the pension and other post-retirement obligations: 

Pension Benefits 

Other Post-retirement Benefits 

2015 

2014 

2015 

2014 

Defined benefit obligation: 

Beginning of year 
Service cost  
Employee contributions 
Interest cost 
Benefit payments 
Past service settlements 
Actuarial loss due to: 

$ 

48,729  $ 
920 
339 
1,990 
(2,094) 
- 

53,178  $ 
746 
369 
2,464 
(2,839) 
(186) 

1,700  $ 
45 
- 
67 
(48) 
- 

Demographic assumptions 
Financial assumptions 
  Experience adjustment 
Settlements 

- 
1,593 
28 
- 

802 
5,411 
138 
(11,354) 

- 
49 
- 
- 

1,545 
35 
- 
72 
(70) 
- 

29 
89 
- 
- 

End of year 

$ 

51,505  $ 

48,729  $ 

1,813  $ 

1,700 

Plan assets: 

Beginning of year 
Interest on plan assets 
Employer contributions 
Employee contributions 
Benefit payments 
Administration costs 
Actuarial gain 
Settlements 

$ 

50,575  $ 

56,882  $ 

1,995 
650 
339 
(2,094) 
(110) 
665 
- 

2,595 
1,263 
369 
(2,839) 
(374) 
4,395 
(11,716) 

-  $ 
- 
48 
- 
(48) 
- 
- 
- 

End of year 

$ 

52,020  $ 

50,575  $ 

-  $ 

Asset ceiling: 

Beginning of year 
Interest effect 
Impact of settlements 

End of year 

$ 

$ 

-  $ 
- 
- 

(700)  $ 

(32) 
732 

-  $ 
- 
- 

-  $ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

- 
- 
70 
- 
(70) 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

75 

22.  Employee future benefits and other post-retirement plans (continued): 

(d) Defined benefit plans (continued): 

The following summarizes the balances recognized on the Statements of Financial 
Position: 

Pension Benefits 

Other Post-retirement Benefits 

2015 

2014 

2015 

2014 

Fair value of plan assets 
Present value of unfunded  

$ 

52,020  $ 

50,575  $ 

-  $ 

- 

obligations 

(371) 
Present value of funded obligations (51,134) 

(393) 
(48,336) 

(1,813) 
- 

(1,700) 
- 

Accrued benefit (obligation)  $ 

515  $ 

1,846  $ 

(1,813)  $ 

(1,700) 

The following table shows the Company’s net expense recognized in the Statement of 
Earnings and the actuarial (gains) losses recognized in Other comprehensive income: 

Statement of Earnings 
Production expense 
Finance (income) costs 
Restructuring costs 

Pension Benefits 

Other Post-retirement Benefits 

2015 

2014 

2015 

2014 

$ 

1,030  $ 
(5) 
- 

1,120  $ 

(199) 
176 

45  $ 
67 
- 

35 
72 
- 

$ 

1,025  $ 

1,197  $ 

112  $ 

107 

Other comprehensive loss (income) 

Actuarial losses (gains) 
Effect of asset ceiling limit 

$ 

$ 

956  $ 
- 
956  $ 

1,956  $ 

(732) 

1,224  $ 

49  $ 

- 

49  $ 

118 
- 
118 

The Company’s accrued benefit assets (liabilities) are included in the Company’s 
Statements of Financial Position as follows:  

Pension Benefits 

Other Post-retirement Benefits 

2015 

2014 

2015 

2014 

Employee future benefits  

asset 

$ 

1,570  $ 

2,520  $ 

-  $ 

- 

Trade accounts payable and  

provisions 

Employee future benefits obligation 

(71) 
(984) 

(72) 
(602) 

(50) 
(1,763) 

(50) 
(1,650) 

$ 

515  $ 

1,846  $ 

(1,813)  $ 

(1,700) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

76 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

22.  Employee future benefits and other post-retirement plans (continued): 

(d) Defined benefit plans (continued): 

Plan assets consist of: 

Asset category 
Investment Funds 
Canadian Equity 
Global 
Money Market 
Fixed Income 
Balanced 

Cash 
Other 

Total 

$ 

2015 

2014 

13,735  $ 
16,946 
831 
19,050 
483 
8 
967 

13,515 
14,855 
816 
19,809 
520 
66 
994 

$ 

52,020  $ 

50,575 

The plan assets held in investment funds are managed by Investment Managers and 
the fair values of these investments have been determined based on the unit price of 
the underlying funds.  As such, all investment funds are categorized as Level 2 in the 
fair value hierarchy. 

Actuarial assumptions used in accounting for the Company maintained benefit plans 
(expressed as weighted averages) are: 

Pension Benefits 
2015 

2014 

Other Post-retirement Benefits 

2015 

2014 

Defined benefit obligation as of December 31 

     Discount rate 
     Compensation increases¹ 

3.75% 
3.50% 

Pension expense 

     Discount rate 
     Compensation increases¹ 

3.99% 
3.50% 

3.99% 
3.50% 

4.74% 
3.50% 

3.75% 
- 

3.96% 
- 

4.00% 
- 

4.75% 
- 

¹Compensation increases only relate to the CMSG plan. 

For measurement purposes at December 31, 2015, the Company has assumed a 5.60% 
health care cost trend in 2016 grading down to 4.38% in 2021 (2014 – 5.85% health 
care cost trend in 2015 grading down to 4.38% in 2021). 

Effect of 1% decrease in discount rate  

on defined benefit obligation 

$ 

7,533 

$ 

250  

Pension Benefits  Other Post-retirement Benefits 

The sensitivity to the discount rate has been determined assuming all other 
assumptions remain unchanged.  An increase in the discount rate would have an 
opposite effect of similar magnitude. 

The weighted average durations of the defined benefit pension plans and other post-
retirement benefit plans is fifteen years. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

77 

22. Employee future benefits and other post-retirement plans (continued): 

(d) Defined benefit plans (continued): 

Through its defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefits, the 
Company is exposed to a number of risks, the most significant of which are detailed 
below: 

Asset liability mismatch – The defined benefit plan obligations are calculated using a 
discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields. While the Adams Lake and 
CMSG pension plans hold some fixed income investments, both plans hold a significant 
proportion of equities, which are expected to outperform corporate bonds in the long 
term.  However, in the short term, there will be volatility in the funded status of the 
plans.  The duration of the invested assets for the SSCL plan is approximately matched 
by the duration of the liabilities and are all held in fixed income investments. 

Life expectancy – The majority of obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the 
member, so increases in life expectancy would result in increased obligations. 

23. Related party transactions: 

Key management personnel are comprised of the Company’s directors and executive 
officers. 

The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows: 

Salary and short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 

$ 

2015 

7,171 
728 

$ 

2014 

6,577 
671 

Share-based compensation expense (recovery) 

(3,447) 

18,791 

Obligations in relation to key management personnel, including directors, are as follows: 

$ 

4,452 

$  26,039 

Trade accounts payable and provisions 
Employee future benefits obligation 
Provisions and other liabilities 

$ 

2015 

5,669 
3,591 
10,239 

2014 

$  13,824 
3,238 
16,761 

$  19,499 

$  33,823 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

78 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

24. Segmented information: 

The Company manages its business as a single operating segment, solid wood.  The 
Company harvests and purchases logs which are sorted by species, size and quality and 
then either manufactured into lumber products at the Company’s sawmills, or sold.  
Substantially all operations are located in British Columbia, Canada and the Northwest and 
Southeast regions of the U.S. 

The Company sells to both foreign and domestic markets as follows: 

United States 
Canada 
Japan 
China/Taiwan 
Other export 

Sales by product line are as follows: 

Lumber 
Logs 
Wood chips and other by products 
Ocean freight and other 

2015 

2014 

$ 1,144,927 
236,517 
140,900 
110,828 
54,203 

$  864,309 
231,733 
127,279 
170,785 
53,051 

$ 1,687,375 

$ 1,447,157 

2015 

2014 

$ 1,361,192 
174,090 
141,717 
10,376 

$ 1,177,258 
144,770 
105,506 
19,623 

$ 1,687,375 

$ 1,447,157 

Non-current assets by geographic location are as follows: 

United States 
Canada 

25. Capital management: 

2015 

2014 

$  709,002 
369,573 

$  467,241 
342,290 

$ 1,078,575 

$  809,531 

The Company’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, 
creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development of the business.  The 
Company monitors the pre-tax return on total assets, which it defines as operating 
earnings before restructuring and capital asset write-downs, divided by the average of 
Total assets for the period. 

The Company seeks to maintain a balance between the higher returns that might be 
possible with the leverage afforded by higher borrowing levels and the security afforded by 
a sound capital position.  The Company’s target is to create value for its shareholders over 
the long term through increases in share value. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

79 

25. Capital management (continued): 

There were no changes in the Company’s approach to capital management during 2015.  
Under its debt financing agreements, the Company cannot exceed a total debt to total 
capitalization ratio, with total debt defined as the total of indebtedness, including letters of 
credit, and long term debt, net of cash and cash equivalents up to $20 million; and total 
capitalization defined as total debt plus shareholders’ equity and subordinated debt, 
excluding non-controlling interests, deferred income taxes, and a maximum of $20 million 
cumulative (from January 1, 2012) non-cash asset revaluations.  The financial covenants 
under the debt financing agreements also carry a minimum working capital and a minimum 
net worth requirement.     

The Company is in compliance with all of its debt covenants and expects to remain in 
compliance. 

26. Financial instruments: 

(a) Fair value of financial instruments: 

At December 31, 2015, the fair value of the Company's long term debt approximated its 
carrying value of $468,759,000 (2014 - $220,419,000).  The fair values of other 
financial instruments approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. 

(b) Derivative financial instruments: 

The Company may use a variety of derivative financial instruments to reduce its 
exposures to risks associated with fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, lumber prices, 
and floating interest rates on long-term debt.  These include foreign currency forward, 
collar and option contracts, interest rate swaps and lumber futures.   

The Company has four interest rate swaps outstanding, each with a notional value of 
US$25,000,000. The intent of these interest rate swaps is to convert floating-rate 
interest expense to fixed-rate interest expense. 

The Company entered into two interest rate swaps on March 25, 2013, each with 
notional value of US$25,000,000 and maturing February 27, 2017.  Under the terms of 
these swaps the Company pays an amount based on a fixed annual interest rate of 
0.84% and receives a 90 day LIBOR which is recalculated at set interval dates.  On April 
14, 2014, the Company entered into two interest rate swaps, each with a notional value 
of US$25,000,000 and maturing on April 14, 2016.  Under the terms of these interest 
swaps, the company pays an amount based on a fixed annual interest rate of 0.58% 
and receives a 90 day LIBOR which is recalculated at set interval dates.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

80 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

26. Financial instruments (continued): 

(b) Derivative financial instruments (continued): 

In respect of its trading in foreign currency exchange forward, collar and option 
contracts, and interest rate swaps, the Company does not expect any credit losses in 
the event of non-performance by counterparties as the counterparties are the 
Company’s bankers, which are all highly rated.  

As at December 31, 2015, the Company had no outstanding obligations under foreign 
currency contracts. 

Fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments is measured based on Level 
2 of the fair value hierarchy as defined under IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement and 
summarized in the following table as at December 31, 2015 and 2014.   

Foreign exchange collars and forward contracts 
Interest rate swaps 

Total asset (liability), net 

2015 

- 
61 

61 

$ 

$ 

2014 

(177) 
132 

(45) 

$ 

$ 

Financial instruments in an asset position are classified as Trade accounts receivable 
and other in the Statements of Financial Position, while financial instruments in a 
liability position are classified as Trade accounts payable and provisions.  Financial 
instrument assets and liabilities are not netted, for purposes of presentation on the 
Statements of Financial Position. 

The following table summarizes the gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments for 
the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. 

Foreign exchange collars and forward contracts¹ 
Interest rate swaps² 
Lumber futures³ 

2015 

$ 

(1,420) 
(71) 
(1) 

$ 

2014 

(884) 
(34) 
9 

Total loss, net 

$ 

(1,492) 

$ 

(909) 

¹ Recognized in Other foreign exchange gain (loss) in Net earnings (loss). 
² Recognized in Other comprehensive income. 
³ Recognized in Other income (loss) in Net earnings (loss). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

81 

26. Financial instruments (continued): 

(c) Hedge of investment in foreign operations: 

As at December 31, 2015, U.S. Dollar borrowings under the Revolving Term Line and 
Senior Secured Notes were designated as hedges against the Company’s investment in 
its U.S. operations with unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) recorded in Other 
comprehensive income as follows: 

Designation date 

Opening 
balance¹  Additions¹  Payments¹ 

Closing 
balance¹ 

Unrealized foreign 
 exchange 
gains (losses)² 
2015 

2014 

-  $ 
October 1, 2008³  $ 
- 
March 2, 2013³ 
June 26, 20134 
50,000 
90,000 
March 13, 2014³ 
- 
December 15, 2014³ 
December 17, 20144  50,000 
January 14, 20153 
- 
February 26, 20153 
- 
March 16, 20154 
- 
March 30, 20153 
- 
May 12, 20153 
- 

-  $ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
10,000 
135,000 
100,000 
10,000 
35,000 

- 
- 
- 
(15,000) 
- 
- 
- 
(135,000) 
- 
- 
- 

$ 

- 
- 
50,000 
75,000 
- 
50,000 
10,000 
- 
100,000 
10,000 
35,000 

$ 

- 
- 
(11,195) 
(17,313) 
- 
(11,195) 
(1,892) 
(4,112) 
(10,370) 
(1,260) 
(6,073) 

$  (1,259) 
  (4,184) 
120 
  (4,958) 
(297) 
  (4,825) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

$190,000 

$290,000  $ (150,000)  $330,000 

$(63,410)  $(15,403) 

¹Denominated in U.S. Dollars.   
²Denominated in Canadian Dollars. 

³Drawn on Revolving Term Line. 
4Drawn on Senior Secured Notes. 

Repayments were de-designated as a hedge of the Company’s investment in its U.S. 
operations. 

(d) Financial risk management: 

Financial instrument assets include cash and cash equivalents, deposits and accounts 
receivable.  Cash and cash equivalents, deposits and accounts receivable are 
designated as loans and receivables and measured at amortized cost. 

Financial instrument liabilities include bank indebtedness, accounts payable and other 
provisions, long term debt, and certain other long term liabilities.  All financial liabilities 
are designated as other liabilities and are initially measured at fair value plus any direct 
transaction costs and subsequently at amortized cost using the effective interest 
method.   

There are no financial instruments classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. 

The use of financial instruments exposes the Company to credit, liquidity and market 
risk. 

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of 
the Company’s risk management framework.  The Company’s risk management policies 
are established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Company, to set 
appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

82 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

26. Financial instruments (continued): 

(d) Financial risk management (continued): 

Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in 
market conditions and the Company’s activities.  Through its standards and procedures, 
management has developed a control environment in which employees are clear on 
roles and obligations and management regularly monitors compliance with its risk 
management policies and procedures. 

(i)  Credit risk: 

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty 
to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises 
primarily from the Company’s receivables from customers and from cash and cash 
equivalents.  

Accounts receivable 

The Company’s exposure to credit risk is dependent upon individual characteristics 
of each customer.  Each new customer is assessed for creditworthiness before 
payment and delivery terms and conditions are offered, with such review 
encompassing any external ratings, and bank and other references.  Purchase limits 
are established for each customer, and are regularly reviewed.  In some cases, 
where customers fail to meet the Company’s benchmark creditworthiness, the 
Company may choose to transact with the customer based on standard industry 
terms.   

Most North American sales are conducted under standard industry terms.  Most 
lumber sales outside of the North American markets are either insured as to 90% of 
the receivable amounts by the Export Development Corporation or are secured by 
documentary collections or irrevocable letters of credit. 

The Company regularly reviews the collectability of its accounts receivable and 
establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on its best estimate of any 
potentially uncollectible accounts.  Historically, the Company has managed its credit 
tightly and has experienced minimal bad debts.  Based on this past experience and 
its detailed review of trade accounts receivable past due which were considered 
uncollectible, a reserve in respect of doubtful accounts of $67,000 was recorded as 
at December 31, 2015 (2014 - $46,000). 

Deposits 

The Company limits it exposure to credit risk by only investing in liquid securities 
and only with counterparties that have a high credit rating.  As such, management 
does not expect any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations. 

Guarantees 

The Company did not provide any guarantees in 2015. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

83 

26. Financial instruments (continued): 

(d) Financial risk management (continued): 

(i)  Credit risk (continued): 

Exposure to credit risk 

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure for 
receivables in North America.  As log and lumber sales outside of the North 
American markets are typically insured by the Export Development Corporation to 
90% or secured by irrevocable letters of credit, credit exposure for these sales is 
limited. 

Accounts receivable carrying values at the reporting date by geographic region were 
as follows: 

United States 
Canada 
Japan 
China/Taiwan 
Other 

(ii) Liquidity risk: 

2015 

$  62,148 
16,233 
5,837 
5,523 
5,477 

2014 

$  44,975 
16,107 
7,848 
4,444 
6,909 

$  95,218 

$  80,283 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial 
obligations as they fall due.  The Company ensures, as far as possible, that it will 
always have sufficient liquidity to meet obligations when due and monitors cash flow 
requirements daily and projections weekly.  Weekly debt graphs are reviewed by 
senior management to monitor cash balances and debt line utilizations.  

The Company also maintains an Operating Line, a Revolving Term Line and a U.S. 
Operating Line that can be drawn on to meet obligations.  

The estimated cash payments due in respect of contractual and legal obligations 
including capital commitments are summarized as follows: 1 

Payments due by period 
Up to 
1 year 

2-3 
years 

4-5 
years 

After 5 
years 

Total 

Trade accounts payable and 
     accrued liabilities 
398 
Income taxes payable 
37,848 
Reforestation liability 
Long term debt2 
468,759 
Provisions and other liabilities  41,378 
Operating leases and  
     capital commitments 

42,620 

$ 114,325  $ 114,325  $ 

398 
11,052 
- 
15,315 

-  $ 
- 
8,054 
191,959 
6,032 

-  $ 
- 
8,692 
- 
1,813 

- 
- 
10,050 
276,800 
18,218 

19,310 

12,910 

7,260 

3,140 

Total obligations 

$ 705,328  $ 160,400  $ 218,955  $  17,765  $ 308,208 

¹ Figures in table may not add due to rounding. 
² On February 9, 2016, the Company extended the maturities of its Operating Line and 

Revolving Term Line from February 27,2017 to May 19, 2019. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 

84 

 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

26. Financial instruments (continued): 

(d) Financial risk management (continued): 

(iii) Market risk: 

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange 
rates, interest rates and equity prices, will affect the Company’s income or the value 
of its holdings of financial instruments.  The objective of market risk management is 
to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while 
optimizing the return relative to risk. 

Currency risk 

The Company is exposed to currency risk on cash and cash equivalents, accounts 
receivable, accounts payable and provisions, long term debt and intercompany loans 
that are denominated in a currency other than the respective functional currencies 
of the Company’s domestic and foreign operations, primarily Canadian and U.S. 
Dollars, but also the Euro, Sterling and Yen.  The Company may use foreign 
currency exchange forward, collar and option contracts to manage its currency risk 
from time to time. The Company routinely assesses its foreign exchange exposure 
by reviewing outstanding contracts, pending order files and working capital 
denominated in foreign currencies. 

At December 31, 2015, the Company has U.S. Dollar drawings under its Revolving 
Term Line and Senior Secured Notes of US$330,000,000 (2014 – US$190,000,000).  
These U.S. Dollar drawings have been designated as a hedge against the Company’s 
net investment in its U.S. operations.   

As at December 31, the Company’s accounts receivable were denominated in the 
following currencies (in thousands): 

2015 

Accounts receivable 
Accounts receivable held by foreign 

CAD 

USD 

Japanese ¥ 

18,292 

18,526 

17,678 

subsidiaries with USD functional currency 

- 

36,909 

- 

2014 

Accounts receivable 
Accounts receivable held by foreign 

18,292 

55,435 

17,678 

CAD 

USD 

Japanese ¥ 

19,745 

20,773 

27,211 

subsidiaries with USD functional currency 

- 

31,184 

- 

As at December 31, 2015, the domestic operations of the Company held cash and 
cash equivalents of US$5,118,000 (2014 – US$2,414,000).  Cash and cash 
equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries totaled US$320,000 (2014 - 
US$9,650,000). 

19,745 

51,957 

27,211 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 (Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 
 ____________________ 

85 

26. Financial instruments (continued): 

(d) Financial risk management (continued): 

(iii) Market risk (continued): 

Based on the Company’s net exposure to foreign currencies as at December 31, 
2015, including U.S. Dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents, long term debt 
and other financial instruments, the sensitivity of the U.S. Dollar balances to the 
Company’s net annual earnings is as follows: 

U.S. Dollar 

$0.01 increase vs CAD   

$269,000 decrease in net earnings 

Based on the Company’s net exposure to foreign currencies as at December 31, 
2015, in respect of its net investment in U.S. subsidiaries, the sensitivity of the U.S. 
Dollar balances to the Company’s Other comprehensive income is as follows: 

U.S. Dollar 

$0.01 increase vs CAD   

$1,652,000 increase in OCI 

Interest rate risk 

The Company has reduced its exposure to changes in interest rates on borrowings 
by entering into interest rate swaps, as described in Note 26(b).  The intent of these 
swaps is to convert floating-rate interest expense to fixed-rate interest expense.  In 
addition, the Company issued US$100,000,000 of Senior Secured Notes (note 
10(c)) on March 16, 2015, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.17%. 

Based on the Company’s average debt level during 2015, the sensitivity of a 100 
basis point increase in interest rates would result in an approximate decrease of 
$74,000 in net earnings. 

Other market price risk 

The Company does not enter into commodity contracts other than to meet the 
Company’s expected usage and sale requirements and such contracts are not 
settled net. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM 

Prepared as of February 11, 2016 

86 

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION  

This report contains information and statements that are forward-looking in nature, including, 
but not limited to, statements containing the words “will”, “is expected”, “forecast”, “target” 
and similar expressions.  Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties 
that may cause Interfor’s actual results to be materially different from those expressed or 
implied by those forward-looking statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, among 
others: price volatility; competition; availability and cost of log supply; natural or man-made 
disasters; foreign currency exchange fluctuations; changes in government regulation; export 
and other trade barriers; environmental and community matters; labour disruptions; and other 
factors referenced herein and in Interfor’s 2015 annual Management’s Discussion & Analysis 
under “Risk and Uncertainties”, which is available on www.sedar.com.  The forward-looking 
information and statements contained in this report are based on management’s current 
expectations and beliefs and are based on certain assumptions, including assumptions as to 
general business and economic conditions in the U.S., Canada, Japan and China, as well as 
other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances.  Readers are 
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.  Interfor 
undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking information or statements, except as 
required by law. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS 

Interfor is a leading global supplier of lumber products.  The Company has annual production 
capacity of approximately 3 billion board feet and offers one of the most diverse lines of 
lumber products to customers in North America, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. 

The Company has sawmilling operations in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Georgia, 
South Carolina and Arkansas.  Interfor also owns value-added remanufacturing facilities in 
Washington and Georgia.  

In this document, a reference to the “Company”, “Interfor”, “we” or “our” means Interfor 
Corporation, its predecessors and its subsidiaries.   

COMPANY HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION 

Our business originated in the 1930’s with a sawmill in Whonnock, about 48 kilometres east of 
Vancouver B.C.  Since that time, we have made significant investments to expand, upgrade 
and diversify our production facilities and timber base through capital programs and the 
acquisition of manufacturing plants and timber resources. 

The Company was incorporated under the Company Act (British Columbia) on May 6, 1963 
and, on December 1, 1979, was amalgamated with subsidiary Whonnock Forest Products 
Limited.  On January 1, 1988, a change in name from Whonnock Industries Limited to 
International Forest Products Limited occurred.  On February 10, 2006 we transitioned under 
the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).  Effective on May 6, 2014, the Company’s 
name was changed to Interfor Corporation.  Our head office and our registered and records 
offices are located at Suite 3500, 1055 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7X 
1H7. 

Our significant indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary, Interfor U.S. Inc., is incorporated in the 
State of Washington and owns and operates our U.S. sawmills.  Interfor Cedarprime Inc. 
(incorporated in the State of Washington) is also an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of 
Interfor.  Directly wholly-owned subsidiaries include Interfor Sales & Marketing Ltd. 

 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

87 

(incorporated in British Columbia), Interfor Japan Ltd. (incorporated in British Columbia), 
Interfor Insurance Corporation (incorporated in Barbados), and Seaboard Shipping Company 
Limited (incorporated in British Columbia). 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS     

2013 

Increased North American demand as U.S. housing markets continued to improve, coupled 
with price tension created by off-shore markets resulted in higher sales realizations and higher 
operating rates in 2013.   

On March 1, 2013, Interfor concluded the acquisition of Rayonier Inc.’s Wood Products 
Business in Georgia, U.S.A. for US$84.4 million, adding three sawmills (Baxley, Eatonton and 
Swainsboro) and a combined 360 million board feet to its annual lumber capacity and 
broadening its product mix to include Southern Yellow Pine (“SYP”).  We have filed a Business 
Acquisition Report on SEDAR with respect to this acquisition.  

On May 1, 2013, the Company acquired two timber tenures in the Kootenay Region of B.C. 
from Springer Creek Management Ltd.  The tenures have a combined allowable annual cut 
(“AAC”) of approximately 174,000 cubic metres and will support increased production levels at 
the Castlegar sawmill. 

On July 1, 2013, the Company added a fourth sawmill (Thomaston) in Georgia for US$39.1 
million, of which US$32.1 million was paid on closing.  Payment of US$7.0 million was 
contingent upon receipt of an upgrade to the air permit which would allow the Company to 
operate a second shift.  This permit was received in 2014 and the payment was made in 
February, 2015.       

On September 30, 2013, the Company closed a public offering of 7,187,500 Common Shares 
at a price of $12.00 per share for gross proceeds of $86.3 million, with proceeds used to 
complete capital upgrades and reduce debt. 

2014 

On March 14, 2014, Interfor acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Tolleson Ilim 
Lumber Company from Ilim Timber Continental, S.A. for total consideration of $188.5 million, 
comprising $126.9 million in cash and 3,680,000 Common Shares valued at $61.6 million.  
This acquisition added two sawmills located in Perry and Preston, Georgia, and a 
remanufacturing facility in Perry, Georgia.  We have filed a Business Acquisition Report on 
SEDAR with respect to this acquisition. 

On June 27, 2014, the Company announced a curtailment of its Beaver-Forks operation on the 
Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Following a comprehensive strategic review, 
permanent closure of the operation and consolidation of production at Interfor’s Port Angeles 
facility was announced on July 31, 2014. 

On November 6, 2014, Interfor announced a $50 million capital project to upgrade its sawmill 
in Castlegar, B.C to convert the Castlegar mill to a two line operation with state-of-the-art 
technology and optimization.  The project was substantially completed in 2015 with full 
operating performance targeted for the first quarter, 2016. 

On December 17, 2014, the Company completed a US$50 million term debt financing with 
Prudential Capital Group.  The senior secured notes carry an annual interest rate of 4.02% and 
have a final maturity of June 26, 2023.   

On December 18, 2014, Interfor signed an agreement to acquire four sawmills from Simpson 
Lumber Company, LLC, for consideration of US$94.7 million, plus working capital and 
contingent future consideration.       

 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

2015 

88 

On January 27, 2015, Interfor closed a bought deal public offering of subscription receipts (the 
“Subscription Receipts”) through a syndicate of underwriters.  The Company issued an 
aggregate of 3,300,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $20.10 per Subscription Receipt, for 
aggregate gross proceeds of $66.3 million (the “Offering”).  Each Subscription Receipt entitled 
the holder thereof, for no additional consideration and without further action, to one Common 
Share upon closing of the acquisition of four sawmills and associated working capital from 
Simpson Lumber Company, LLC (“Simpson”).  Net proceeds of the Offering were used to 
partially fund this acquisition. 

On March 1, 2015, Interfor completed its acquisition of four sawmills and associated working 
capital from Simpson.  The sawmills are located in Tacoma, Washington; Longview, 
Washington; Meldrim, Georgia and Georgetown, South Carolina and fit within the Company’s 
existing operating infrastructure.   

On March 16, 2015, the Company completed a US$100 million term debt financing of Senior 
Secured Notes with Prudential Capital Group.  The Senior Secured Notes carry an annual 
interest rate of 4.17% and have a final maturity of March 26, 2026.  The proceeds were used 
to reduce the drawings under the Company’s Revolving Term Line.  In conjunction with this 
financing, Interfor decreased the credit available under its Revolving Term Line from $250 
million to $200 million, without change to other terms and conditions. 

On April 27, 2015, Interfor extended the maturity date of its U.S. Operating Line from April 28, 
2015, to May 1, 2017, and increased the credit available under that line from US$30 million to 
US$50 million to provide enhanced financial flexibility.  All other terms and conditions remain 
substantially unchanged. 

On May 22, 2015, Interfor curtailed operations at its Tacoma sawmill as a result of challenging 
lumber and log market conditions.  Following a comprehensive strategic review, the Company 
announced its decision on July 30, 2015, to exit the mill.  The Tacoma sawmill accounted for 
47 million board feet of production in 2015 since acquisition. 

On June 19, 2015, Interfor closed its acquisition of a sawmill and associated working capital in 
Monticello, Arkansas, from Price Lumber Company.  This acquisition increased Interfor’s U.S. 
South capacity to 1.3 billion board feet and raised the proportion of Interfor’s total capacity in 
the U.S. South to more than 40%.   

MANUFACTURING AND TIMBER SUPPLY 

We operate five sawmills in B.C.and have U.S. operations comprising two sawmills and one 
remanufacturing plant in Washington, two sawmills in Oregon, one sawmill in South Carolina, 
one sawmill in Arkansas, and seven sawmills and one remanufacturing plant in Georgia.  These 
operations produce a wide range of products for sale in North American and offshore markets.  
The products range from commodity structural lumber through to specialty products, such as 
exterior decking and siding, machine stress rated products, industrial timbers and a wide range 
of appearance grade items.  

The mills are capable of cutting logs of various species and grades ranging in diameter from 4 
inches to 80 inches. Many of our manufacturing facilities have recently been upgraded and 
modified to improve the matching of timber resources with customers' lumber requirements.   

In addition to improving our manufacturing capability through upgrades, we have increased 
our efficiency and geographic diversity and expanded our current capacity through the addition 
of four sawmills in Georgia, South Carolina, Washington and Arkansas, respectively, during 
2015.   

 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

89 

Rated capacity and production of lumber for each mill is set out in the following table:   

Sawmills 

B.C. Coast(2) 

B.C. Interior 
U.S. Northwest(3,4) 
U.S. Southeast(5) 

Present 
Rated 
Capacity 
(1) 

Production for years 
ended 
December 31, 

2015 

2014      2013 

(millions of board feet) 

320 

735 

625 

164 

620 

655 

1,320 

1,058 

198 

744 

539 

741 

182 

699 

569 

275 

Total 

3,000 

2,497 

2,222 

1,725 

(1)  Based on two shifts per day and adjusted for regional operating parameters.  
(2)  Volumes  include  lumber  custom-cut  at  third  party  facilities  under  the  direction  of  Hammond 

management amounting to 11 million board feet in 2014.    

(3)  The  Beaver  and  Tacoma  sawmills  were  curtailed  on  June  27,  2014  and  May  22,  2015, 

respectively.  

(4)  The  Longview  and  Tacoma  sawmills  were  acquired  on  March  1,  2015.    The  Tacoma  mill  was 
permanently  curtailed  in  August,  2015  and  is  not  included  in  rated  capacity.    Volumes  reported 
are Interfor only. 

(5)  The  Baxley,  Eatonton  and  Swainsboro  sawmills  were  acquired  March  1,  2013.    The  Thomaston 
sawmill was acquired on July 1, 2013.  The Perry and Preston sawmills were acquired March 14, 
2014.    The  Meldrim  and  Georgetown  sawmills  were  acquired  on  March  1,  2015.    The  Monticello 
sawmill was acquired on June 19, 2015. Volumes reported are Interfor only. 

CANADIAN OPERATIONS 

B.C. Coast 

Hammond  

The Hammond operation is located on the Fraser River in Maple Ridge, B.C.  The facility is 
focused on western red cedar and supplies siding, decking, fascia and timbers for both offshore 
and North American markets.  The facility consists of a three-line sawmill, a planer mill and dry 
kilns.     

Acorn 

The Acorn operation is located on leased land in Delta, B.C.  The facility consists of a log 
dewatering and merchandizing system, a sawmill, a planer mill and dry kilns.  The sawmill 
specializes in sizes and grades of lumber for use in Japanese traditional housing made 
primarily from hemlock and Douglas-fir logs. 

B.C. Interior  

Adams Lake 

The Adams Lake operation is located near Kamloops, B.C.  The mill manufactures kiln-dried 
lumber for the U.S. and Canadian construction markets as well as for offshore markets.  
Adams Lake has the capability to cut Douglas-fir as well as spruce-pine-fir (“SPF”), western red 
cedar and hemlock.     

The sawmill was rebuilt in 2008 to match the current and future timber resource in the area 
and incorporated proven technology that has materially improved the operating efficiency and 
cost structure of the Adams Lake operation.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

Castlegar 

90 

Our Castlegar operation, located in the southern interior of B.C., includes a sawmill, dry kilns, 
a planer and transportation system for transporting logs on Arrow Lake.  It has timber tenures 
with an AAC of 624,000 cubic metres and manufactures fir-larch, SPF, cedar and hemlock 
dimension lumber. 

In 2015 Interfor rebuilt the sawmill, installing state-of-the-art technology and increasing 
capacity to 210 million board feet.  Construction was substantially completed in October, 2015, 
with the ramp up to full capacity expected by the end of the first quarter of 2016.   

Grand Forks 

Our Grand Forks sawmill is located in the southern interior of B.C. and manufactures kiln dried 
lumber for the U.S. and Canadian construction markets as well as the housing market in 
Japan.  It has timber tenures with an AAC of 514,000 cubic metres. The sawmill cuts 
approximately 70% SPF and 30% fir-larch.   

B.C. Timber Supply 

In the Province of British Columbia (the “Crown”) owns about 95% of the timberlands from 
which the majority of our timber is harvested.  The remaining 5% of timberland is private land 
which is primarily located on Vancouver Island and held by a few large industrial forest 
landowners. 

Forest and timber harvesting operations on Crown land in B.C. are regulated under the B.C. 
Government’s Forest and Range Practices Act (British Columbia) and the Forest Act (British 
Columbia).  The Government is responsible for setting the AAC, approving forest development 
plans and cutting permits, determining the stumpage system and managing compliance and 
enforcement.  

The Province provides for the use of Crown forest land through the granting of various forms of 
timber tenures.  These tenure agreements provide timber harvesting rights in exchange for 
annual rent to cover general administration and fire preparedness obligations and stumpage 
fees payable to the Crown. 

Our Company is required to manage forest resources under our tenures in accordance with the 
requirements of the applicable laws and regulations.  Forest management of our tenures is 
guided by a team of forest professionals that are engaged in a wide array of activities such as 
resource planning, forest development, road building and harvesting, reforestation, forest 
protection and environmental certification.  

We hold various Forest Licence (“FL”), Tree Farm Licence (“TFL”) and Timber Licence (“TL”) 
tenures that currently provide for an AAC of approximately of 3.7 million cubic meters.  The 
majority of Interfor’s tenures are long-term (15 and 25 year) renewable agreements that are 
generally replaced every five years. 

Our timber supply needs are met by a combination of logs harvested from our own timber 
tenures, long-term trade and supply agreements, and log purchases on the open market.  
When operating at normal capacity, our mills in B.C. currently require approximately one-third 
of their log supply from external sources.   

On the B.C. Coast, we harvest a variety of species consisting primarily of western hemlock, 
amabilis fir, western red cedar and Douglas-fir.  In the B.C. Interior, the species mix consists 
of spruce, pine, fir, Douglas-fir, larch and cedar. The harvest is derived from both old growth 
and second growth stands. Whereas one-third of the harvest currently comes from second 
growth stands on the B.C. Coast, this amount is expected to increase significantly over the 
next several decades.  Logging operations are seasonal due to a number of factors including 
weather, ground conditions and fire season closures.   

 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

91 

The following table shows our AAC under our FL and TFL tenures and other cutting rights and 
the volume of timber harvested under our FLs and TFLs and other cutting rights for the periods 
specified.  It also presents the volume of log purchases and sales during the period. 

B.C. Timber Supply 

Allowable Annual Cut (1) 
  — Forest Licences 

  — Tree Farm Licences 

  — Non Replaceable Forest Licences 
  — Discretionary Annual Harvest Levels  

Total AAC 

Log Production 
  — Coast(2) 
  — Interior 

Total Log Production 

Years ended December 31, 

2016 

2015 

2014 

2013 

(thousands of cubic metres) 

2,775 

2,775 

2,775 

2,684 

875 

- 

50 

875 

220 

80 

875 

220 

40 

801 

286 

40 

3,700 

3,950 

3,910 

3,811 

1,331 

1,523 

1,639 

1,708 

1,517 

1,959 

3,039 

3,040 

3,598 

Log Purchases 

1,112 

1,395 

1,131 

Log Sales 

1,453 

1,440 

1,339 

(1)  AAC status at the beginning of each year (includes a provision for non-recoverable fibre). 
(2)  2015  volumes  include  production  volume  of  30,000  cubic  metres  of  third  party  timber  sales 

managed by Interfor (2014 – 48,000 cubic metres, 2013 - 25,000 cubic metres). 

U.S. OPERATIONS 

U.S. Northwest 

Gilchrist 

The Gilchrist sawmill is located in Gilchrist, Oregon. The sawmill processes lodgepole and 
ponderosa pine to produce a wide range of specialty and industrial lumber products. The 
sawmill has an on-site cogeneration plant to produce electricity for its own use as well as 
steam for its dry kilns.  At this location, we own and operate a short line railroad to connect to 
a mainline for shipment of lumber and chips.   

Molalla 

The Molalla sawmill is located in Molalla, Oregon, approximately 50 kilometres southeast of 
Portland.  The sawmill processes primarily hemlock and Douglas-fir logs to produce stud 
lumber for the U.S. market.     

Port Angeles 

The Port Angeles sawmill is located in Port Angeles, Washington, near a major highway and 
waterways which are convenient for shipping lumber and chips as well as for receiving logs. 
The sawmill primarily processes hemlock and Douglas-fir logs to produce stud and dimension 
lumber for the U.S. market but is also capable of producing metric sizes for export.    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

Longview 

92 

The Longview sawmill is located in Longview, Washington, in close proximity to industrial 
timberlands and large scale pulp and paper operations. This sawmill was acquired on March 1, 
2015 from Simpson Lumber Company.  The sawmill processes Douglas-fir logs to produce 
green stud lumber for the U.S. market with primary focus on servicing home centers. 

U.S. Southeast 

Baxley 

This sawmill in Baxley, Georgia was acquired on March 1, 2013 from Rayonier Inc.  It operates 
on a two shift basis and produces southern yellow pine lumber primarily in 2x4 through 2x12 
products.   

Eatonton 

This sawmill in Eatonton, Georgia was acquired on March 1, 2013 from Rayonier Inc.  It 
operates on an extended one shift basis and produces southern yellow pine lumber primarily in 
2x4 and 2x6 products.   

Swainsboro 

This sawmill in Swainsboro, Georgia was acquired on March 1, 2013 from Rayonier Inc.  It 
operates on a two shift basis and produces southern yellow pine lumber primarily in 2x4 and 
2x6 products.   

Thomaston 

This sawmill in Thomaston, Georgia was acquired on July 1, 2013 from Keadle Lumber 
Enterprises, Inc.  The mill operates one shift and produces 2x4 through 2x12 southern yellow 
pine dimension products.   

Preston 

This sawmill in Preston, Georgia was acquired on March 14, 2014 from Ilim Timber 
Continental, S.A.  The mill operates two shifts and produces 2x4 through 2x12 southern yellow 
pine dimension products. 

Perry 

This sawmill in Perry, Georgia was acquired on March 17, 2014 from Ilim Timber Continental, 
S.A.  The mill operates an extended single shift and produces 2x4 through 2x12 southern 
yellow pine dimension products. 

Meldrim 

This sawmill in Meldrim, Georgia was acquired on March 1, 2015 from Simpson Lumber 
Company.  It operates one shift and produces 2x4 through 2x12 southern yellow pine 
dimension products. 

Georgetown 

This sawmill in Georgetown, South Carolina was acquired on March 1, 2015 from Simpson 
Lumber Company.  It operates one shift and produces 2x4 through 2x10 and 4x4 southern 
yellow pine dimension products. 

Monticello 

This sawmill in Monticello, Arkansas was acquired on June 19, 2015 from Price Lumber 
Company.  It operates two shifts and produces 2x4, 2x6 and 4x4 southern yellow pine 
dimension products. 

 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

U.S. Timber Supply 

U.S. Northwest  

93 

Timber supply in the U.S. Northwest (“NW”) is sourced from a broad distribution of forest land 
ownership (forest industrial lands; small private landowners; and State and Federal lands).  
These sources represent a long-term supply base from which mills purchase their timber 
supply.  In 2015, approximately 51% of the log supply in the NW came from land that is 
owned by industrial and small private landowners, while the remainder was sourced from 
State, Federal and tribal lands. 

Our timber supply requirements at the Port Angeles sawmill are weighted to western hemlock 
with lesser volumes of Douglas-fir. At our Longview location, we only purchase Doulas-fir.  
Douglas-fir is the prominent species, with smaller volumes of western hemlock and white fir at 
the Molalla sawmill. All three of our western Oregon and Washington sawmills depend on 
private industrial landowners and small private landowners for the majority of their supply. The 
remainder of their supply is comprised of timber from State, Federal, and tribal lands. 

At the Gilchrist sawmill, log purchases consist primarily of lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine 
that are harvested from second growth forests and the thinning of young stands from 
surrounding National Forests. This volume is supplemented with purchases from industrial and 
non-industrial private lands. 

U.S. Southeast 

Timber in the U.S. Southeast (“SE”) is sourced primarily from privately held timberlands with 
only minor volumes coming from publicly owned timberlands.  Private timberland ownership 
includes non-industrial private owners, timber real estate investment trusts (“timber REITs”) 
and various institutional investors such as pension funds, who are typically represented by a 
timberland investment management organization (“TIMO”).  Both timber REITs and TIMOs are 
considered industrial timberland owners.  Interfor’s sawmills in Georgia purchase timber 
comprised exclusively of southern yellow pine, originating from each of these sources. 

The total 2016 log supply requirement for the mills in the U.S. is estimated to be supplied from 
the following sources:   

Expected Sources of Timber 2016 

State, Federal and tribal lands 

Industrial lands 

Private lands 

U.S.  

Northwest 

U.S. 
Southeast 

42% 

48% 

10% 

100% 

1% 

20% 

79% 

100% 

SALES, MARKETING AND COMPETITIVE POSITION 

The global markets for the Company’s products are highly competitive and producers compete 
primarily on the basis of price.  In addition, a majority of Interfor’s lumber production is sold 
into markets where competitors have the same or larger capacity and may be lower cost 
producers.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The following table shows our lumber sales by geographic area and total sales by product line 
for the past three years: 

Lumber 
  — U.S.A.  

  — Japan 

  — Canada 

  — China 

  — Other export 

Offshore transportation and handling 

Logs 

Wood chips and other residuals 

Ocean freight, contract services  

and other 

Total sales 

Years ended December 31, 

2015 

2014 

2013 

(thousands of dollars) 

$   996,683     

$  770,153      

$   498,524 

124,252 

94,483 

66,581 

47,104 

32,089 

107,561 

103,599 

109,205 

46,812 

39,928 

1,361,192 

1,177,258 

174,090 

141,717 

144,770 

105,506 

105,590 

90,470 

105,703 

38,675 

33,302 

872,264 

136,633 

72,418 

10,376 
$1,687,375 

19,623 
$1,447,157 

23,907 
$1,105,222 

Lumber Sales 

Like other commodities, the demand for lumber is cyclical. It is affected by factors such as 
interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, freight rates, government tariffs and import 
policies, and demand for housing.     

In order to diminish the impact of rapid cyclical changes in any one market, we strategically 
target worldwide markets and offer a diverse range of products.  Interfor also has a specific 
customer and product base in various countries, providing a diversified sales profile, and we 
are aggressively targeting China’s rapidly growing wood frame construction market.  

Product and market diversification is particularly important for B.C. Coastal producers where 
the variability inherent in the log resource produces a much wider spectrum of product sizes 
and quality than is the case in the B.C. Interior, the U.S. Northwest or the U.S. Southeast.  A 
continuing priority for our Company is to develop products and markets that more fully realize 
the potential for higher grades, special dimensions and value-added items.   

Lumber sales and marketing activities are organized into two sales groups to leverage global 
expertise:  Export and North America.  Interfor Japan Ltd., with an office in Tokyo, has 
developed niche markets and has increased sales directly to end-users.  We also have an office 
in France to serve Continental Europe and Middle East markets and an office in China to 
support the growing demand for wood in that market.  

The primary market for our cedar lumber continues to be North America where markets are 
serviced through a combination of regional wholesale distributors and direct retail sales.  Gains 
have been made, however, in diversifying cedar sales into offshore markets in Europe, China, 
Japan and Australia.   

North American dimension and stud lumber produced in Canada and the U.S. Northwest is sold 
out of our office in Bellingham, Washington to leverage our market expertise and to provide a 
more diverse customer base for the Canadian mills in terms of geographic and market sectors.  

SYP lumber produced in U.S. Southeast mills is sold out of our office in Peachtree City, Georgia 
to leverage our regional knowledge of SYP market segments and distribution channels. 

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Log Sales 

95 

We purchase and sell logs in order to obtain the appropriate size, grade and species of log to 
suit market conditions and each mill’s cutting profile.  We buy or trade logs through 
agreements and open market transactions and sell logs that are either unsuitable for cutting or 
in excess of our manufacturing requirements.  

Wood Chips and Other Residuals Sales 

As a by-product of lumber production, our sawmills produce wood chips and other residuals.  
Essentially all of our wood chips produced in B.C. are sold under short-term and long-term 
contracts to pulp producers.  In general, wood chips produced on the B.C. Coast are sold at 
prices related to current Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (“NBSK”) pulp prices, while the 
wood chips produced in the B.C. Interior are sold at current market prices for chips.  Chips 
from our U.S. Northwest and U.S. Southeast operations are sold to pulp producers or fibre 
board manufacturers under short-term arrangements, with the exception of the Baxley, 
Gilchrist, Longview and Port Angeles sawmills which each have a long-term contract with a 
pulp producer.  

DISTRIBUTION 

We use various modes of surface transportation to deliver our lumber products.  Shipments to 
export markets are done by container and break-bulk vessels while shipments of lumber within 
North America are done by truck and rail.  In 2015, break-bulk shipments were transported 
under contract with an independent ocean carrier and this arrangement is in place for 
2016.  Chips and logs are normally delivered by tug and barge or by truck.  In Gilchrist, 
Oregon, and in Grand Forks, B.C. we own short line railroads that connect to Class 1 railroads 
for shipping lumber and chips. 

HUMAN RESOURCES 

In B.C., we directly employ approximately 1,162 people in our logging and manufacturing 
operations and corporate offices.  The Canadian United Steel Workers (“USW”) is the certified 
bargaining agent for approximately 556 of these people.  The agreement with the USW for the 
B.C. Coast has an expiry date of June 14, 2019, while the Southern Interior USW agreement 
expires on June 30, 2018.   The Canadian Marine Service Guild (“CMSG”) represents 22 
employees, and their collective agreement expires September 30, 2019.  Negotiations with the 
CMSG regarding renewal of the expired agreement are in process, with employees continuing 
to work under the terms of the expired agreement with no workplace disruptions. 

In the U.S., we employ approximately 1,694 employees in our sawmill and remanufacturing 
operations in Washington, Oregon, Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina and in our offices 
located in Bellingham, Washington and Peachtree City, Georgia.   The American USW is the 
certified bargaining agent for approximately 36 of these people employed in the Meldrim, 
Georgia sawmill.  The International Association of Machinists (“IAM”) is the certified bargaining 
agent for approximately 92 of these people employed in the Longview, Washington sawmill.    

The American USW collective agreement expires on June 30, 2016, while the IAM collective 
agreement expires on November 15, 2016.  

THE ENVIRONMENT 

Interfor is committed to responsible stewardship of the environment. We maintain an 
Environmental Management System (“EMS”) for all of our woodlands and manufacturing 
facilities. The EMS provides a structure for identifying, addressing and managing environmental 
issues.  Audits are performed regularly in both the woodlands and manufacturing operations to 
verify its effectiveness.   

 
 
 
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Regulatory Compliance  

96 

Interfor operates in compliance with extensive provincial, state, federal or other laws and 
regulations that apply to most aspects of our business activities.   

Forest Management Certification 

Interfor has achieved the internationally recognized Sustainable Forestry Initiative (“SFI”) 
forest management certification for all of our B.C. woodlands operations. Independent third 
party certification audits are conducted by KPMG Performance Registrar Inc.  

Chain of Custody and Responsible Purchasing 

Interfor maintains Chain-of-Custody (“CoC”) certifications at certain mills and fibre sourcing 
procedures that track logs coming from sustainably managed forests through the 
manufacturing process.   

Coast Forest Conservation Initiative 

Interfor is a member of the Coast Forest Conservation Initiative (“CFCI”) – a collaborative 
effort of five B.C. forest product businesses committed to finding new approaches to forest 
conservation and management in B.C.’s Central and North Coast. CFCI collaborates with the 
Rainforest Solution Project (a group of environmental organizations namely Forest Ethics, 
Greenpeace and the Sierra Club, B.C. Chapter) in a forum known as the Joint Solutions Project 
(“JSP”).  JSP works with the B.C. Government and First Nations on strategic items related to 
the implementation of ecosystem based management (“EBM”). The joint work done by JSP is a 
major step towards fulfilling the landmark Great Bear Rainforest agreement.   

First Nations 

First Nations (“FN”) groups have claimed Aboriginal title and rights over substantial portions of 
British Columbia.  Interfor tenures overlap with the traditional territories of over 60 different 
FN groups. The Company’s operations in B.C. account for approximately 30% of its total 
lumber production.   

Interfor has a number of agreements and initiatives with FN in B.C., and as such, remains 
committed to working with FN to develop economic opportunities of mutual benefit. Each FN 
group is notified prior to development activities as part of the Forest Stewardship Planning 
process.  

On June 26, 2014 the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) released its ruling on the Tsilhqot’in 
vs. British Columbia. To the extent that this defines for the first time the criteria upon which 
Aboriginal title rests is a positive development. It is also an important motivation for the 
federal and provincial governments to move forward on the reconciliation and treaty process in 
British Columbia. 

The SCC ruling applies to two percent of the Tsilhqot’in traditional territory in a remote area of 
Central B.C. – far removed from Interfor’s operations. To date, Aboriginal title has not been 
established in any of Interfor’s tenures; and doing so will likely be a lengthy and complex 
process. The Company will continue to manage its operations within the existing legal 
framework while paying close attention to the direction provided by the Province of B.C. and 
First Nations regarding the application of this ruling.   

Mountain Pine Beetle 

The Mountain Pine Beetle (“MPB”) infestation has resulted in the mortality of a significant 
portion of the mature pine trees in the B.C. Interior   The greatest impact has been in the 
central interior region where there is a high percentage (over 60%) of pine in the forest.  
Interfor operations are in the southern interior which have a much lower percentage of pine 

 
 
 
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97 

(less than 30%) and are less affected by the MPB. The longer term timber supply impacts of 
the MPB are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s operating areas.      

Reforestation and Other Forestry-related Liabilities.   

Crown legislation requires the Company to complete reforestation activities on its forest and 
timber tenures.  Accordingly, Interfor records the estimated liability for reforestation as timber 
is cut, and includes these expenses in the cost of current production.  The estimate of future 
reforestation costs is based on detailed prescriptions of reforestation as prepared by Registered 
Professional Foresters employed or contracted by the Company.  Considerations include the 
specifics of the areas logged and the treatments prescribed for those areas, as well as the 
timing and success rates of the planned activities.  Estimates of reforestation liabilities are 
reviewed annually, or more frequently if required, and can be materially impacted by forest 
fires, wildlife grazing, unfavourable weather conditions, changing legislative requirements and 
standards, or inaccurate projections, which could result in a charge against operating earnings. 

The Company also has a legal obligation to deactivate certain roads constructed for access to 
timber, once that access is no longer required.  Accordingly, Interfor accrues the cost of road 
deactivation as related timber is cut, including those expenses in the cost of current 
production.  The estimate of future road deactivation cost is based on comprehensive plans 
prepared by Professional Foresters and Engineers employed by Interfor and includes such 
considerations as road structure and terrain.  Estimates of road deactivation liabilities are 
reviewed annually, or more frequently if required, and can be materially impacted by 
unfavourable terrain, changing legislative requirements and standards, or inaccurate 
projections, which could result in a charge against operating earnings.   

Continual Improvement  

Each year a formal Management Review of the Company’s program and performance is 
completed as part of the process of continual improvement. 

Additional information about our environmental work and third party certification is available 
on our website at www.interfor.com.    

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

We contribute to and participate in industry research organizations that have made numerous 
technical developments beneficial to us in areas such as sawing technology, drying techniques 
and anti-sap stain applications.  We also are committed to applied research and development 
in the areas of environment, health and safety, forest management, and product and market 
development.  We also conduct product and market research on our own in Canada and the 
U.S.  

RISK FACTORS 

Discussion of risk factors relating to the Company and its operations is included under the 
heading Risks and Uncertainties within Management’s Discussion and Analysis prepared as of 
February 11, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein and available on SEDAR at 
www.sedar.com.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CAPITAL STRUCTURE 

98 

The authorized share structure of the Company consists of: 

  150,000,000 Common Shares without Par Value with Special Rights and Restrictions 

(“Common Shares”); and 

  5,000,000 Preference Shares without Par Value with Special Rights and Restrictions 

(“Preference Shares”). 

As at February 11, 2016 there were 70,030,455 Common Shares outstanding.  There were no 
Preference Shares outstanding. 

The following is a summary of the material provisions of the authorized share capital of the 
Company. 

Common Shares 

Each holder of a Common Share is entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote in 
person or by proxy at all meetings of the shareholders of the Company and is entitled to one 
vote for each such share held. 

Each holder of a Common Share is entitled to receive such dividends as the directors may in 
their sole discretion declare from time to time.  No holder of a Common Share will be entitled 
to any dividend other than or in excess of the dividends declared by the directors.  The 
directors have the discretion to declare dividends on the Common Shares independently of 
declaring dividends on any other classes of shares in the Company, and vice versa. 

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or other distribution 
of its assets for the purpose of winding up its affairs, holders of the Common Shares will not 
receive any amount, property or asset, until the holders of the Preference Shares and any 
other class or series of shares entitled to receive assets of the Company in priority to the 
holders of the Common Shares, have first received the amount to which they are entitled.  
Thereafter, the holders of the Common Shares will be entitled to all remaining property and 
assets of the Company on a share for share basis. 

Preference Shares 

The Preference Shares may be issued in one or more series.  The directors may by resolution 
fix the number of Preference Shares in each series, determine the designation of the 
Preference Shares of each series, and attach special rights and restrictions to the Preference 
Shares of each series. 

The Preference Shares rank in priority over the Common Shares and any other shares ranking 
junior to the Preference Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution 
of assets of the Company in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the 
Company. 

The registered holders of the Preference Shares shall not be entitled as a class to receive 
notice of or to attend or to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, except in the 
event of matters affecting the priority rights or any other rights or restrictions attaching to the 
Preference Shares. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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99 

MARKET FOR SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY 

The Common Shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol IFP.  
The following table sets out the market price range and trading volumes of the Common 
Shares on the TSX for the periods indicated: 

Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) 
2015 Trading Volumes 
Ticker:  IFP 

$ Low  

$ High  

Volume 

18.33 
20.20 
16.80 
16.65 
16.46 
19.24 
15.87 
11.42 
9.27 
8.86 
11.34 
12.19 

22.33 
23.61 
20.87 
18.93 
20.70 
21.09 
21.65 
17.53 
12.79 
13.45 
14.22 
14.87 

7,764,215 
6,065,058 
7,673,158 
6,238,000 
5,570,779 
4,314,696 
8,241,729 
10,235,821 
7,726,321 
11,220,511 
8,346,797 
5,788,411 

Month 

January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
June 
July 
August 
September 
October 
November 
December 

SECURITIES SUBJECT TO CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER 

Designation of class 

Number of securities that 
are subject to a 
contractual restriction on 
transfer 

Percentage of class 

Common Shares 

3.68 million 1 

5.3% 

Note 1: Ilim Timber Continental, S.A. (“Ilim”) may not sell or otherwise transfer its Common Shares (other than a 
pledge to an acceptable third party lender) without the prior written consent of Interfor, until one year following the 
date that the Ilim board designee ceases to be a director of Interfor. 

TRANSFER AGENT 

The transfer agent for our Common Shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc. at its 
principal offices in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

MATERIAL CONTRACTS 

The following material contracts were entered into by the Company during or after 2015, or 
before 2015 but are still in effect: 

1.  Underwriting Agreement dated January 13, 2015, between the Company and a 

syndicate of underwriters, led by RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and Raymond James 
Ltd., to sell 3,000,000 subscription receipts (“Subscription Receipts”) at a price of 
$20.10 each for aggregate gross proceeds of $60,300,000. Interfor also granted the  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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100 

underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 300,000 
subscription receipts at the issue price. 

2.  Subscription Receipt Agreement dated January 27, 2015, between the Company, RBC 
Dominion Securities Inc., Raymond James Ltd. and Computershare Trust Company of 
Canada, providing for the issue of subscription receipts.  The Company issued an 
aggregate of 3,300,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $20.10 per Subscription 
Receipt, for aggregate gross proceeds of $66.3 million (the “Offering”).  Each 
Subscription Receipt entitled the holder thereof, for no additional consideration and 
without further action, to one Common Share upon closing of the acquisition of four 
sawmills and associated working capital from Simpson Lumber Company, LLC.  Net 
proceeds of the Offering were used to partially fund this acquisition.  In connection with 
the completion of the Simpson acquisition on March 1, 2015, each subscription receipt 
was automatically exchanged, for no additional consideration, for one Common Share 
and the subscription receipts were delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange. 

3.  First Amendment dated February 6, 2015, and Second Amendment dated February 23, 

2015, to the Asset Purchase Agreement between Simpson Lumber Company, LLC and 
Interfor U.S. Inc., amending the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated December 18, 2014, 
between Simpson Lumber Company, LLC and Interfor U.S. Inc. for the acquisition of 
four sawmills located in Meldrim, Georgia, Georgetown, South Carolina, Longview, 
Washington and Tacoma, Washington for total consideration of approximately US$94.7 
million, plus working capital and contingent future payments.  The transaction closed on 
March 1, 2015. 

4.  Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated as of March 

16, 2015, between the Company and the Prudential Capital Group for a US$100 million 
term debt financing with Prudential Capital Group.  The senior secured notes carry an 
annual interest rate of 4.17% and have a final maturity date of March 26, 2026.  The 
proceeds were used to reduce drawings under the Company’s bank credit facilities.   

5.  In conjunction with the financing described immediately above, Interfor decreased the 

credit available under its bank credit facilities from $250 million to $200 million, without 
change to other terms and conditions, through the Second Amendment to the Interfor 
March 31, 2014 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated for reference 
February 20, 2015 among the Company, each of the lenders named therein, and Royal 
Bank of Canada in its capacity as the arranger and the agent. 

6.  Interfor February 2016 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated for reference 

February 9, 2016, between the Company, each of the lenders named therein and Royal 
Bank of Canada in its capacity as the arranger and agent, which extended the maturity 
of the Company’s operating line and revolving term line from February 27, 2017 to 
May 19, 2019.  All other terms remained substantially unchanged except for an increase 
in the maximum ratio of total debt to total capitalization, that resulted in an increase in 
the maximum borrowing available under the credit agreement. 

All of these contracts have been posted on www.sedar.com. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

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DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 

Directors of the Company 

101 

The following table sets out the Company’s directors as of February 10, 2016, their respective 
municipalities of residence, positions and offices held with the Company, principal occupations 
within the past five years and the period during which each director has served as a director: 

Name and 
Municipality of Residence 

Director 
Since 

Positions Held and Principal Occupations 

From 

To 

DUNCAN K. DAVIES  
Vancouver, BC, Canada 

November 
1998 

President and Chief Executive Officer  
Interfor Corporation 

2000 

Present 

PAUL HERBERT 
Germantown, TN, USA 

March  
2014 

Corporate Director 

Chief Executive Officer, Ilim Group, Russia’s 
largest forest pulp & paper company 

JEANE HULL 
Sheridan, WY, USA 

May  
2014 

Corporate Director 

Executive Vice President and Chief Technical 
Officer, Peabody Energy Corporation, a 
private-sector coal company 

2013 

Present 

2007 

2013 

2015 

Present 

2007 

2015 

PETER M. LYNCH 
Toronto, ON, Canada 

October  
2006 

President & CEO, Dieffenbacher USA, Inc., a 
manufacturer and designer of press and 
forming systems 

2013 

Present 

Independent Business Consultant 

2010 

2013 

GORDON. H. MacDOUGALL 
West Vancouver, BC, Canada 

February 
2007 

Corporate Director 

Vice Chairman, Connor, Clark & Lunn 
Investment Management Ltd., an asset 
management firm 

2014 

Present 

2006 

2014 

J. EDDIE McMILLAN  
Pensacola, FL, USA 

E. LAWRENCE SAUDER 
Vancouver, BC, Canada 

October  
2006 

April  
1984 

Independent Business Consultant 

2002 

Present 

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Metrie 
Canada Ltd. (formerly Sauder Industries 
Limited), a manufacturer and distributor of 
building products 

2010 

Present 

Chairman, Hardwoods Distribution Inc., a 
distributor of wood products 

2008 

Present 

L. SCOTT THOMSON 
Vancouver, BC, Canada 

October  
2012 

President and Chief Executive Officer, Finning 
International Inc., a distributor of Caterpillar 
products and support services 

2013 

Present 

DOUGLAS W.G.  WHITEHEAD 
North Vancouver, BC, Canada 

April  
2007 

Executive Vice-President, Finance and Chief 
Financial Officer, Talisman Energy Inc., a 
global upstream oil and gas company 

2008 

2013 

Corporate Director 

2008 

Present 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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102 

To our knowledge, only one of the Company’s directors has in the last 10 years been an officer 
or director of a company that, while the person was acting in that capacity, was subject to 
bankruptcy or similar proceedings or securities regulatory sanctions described in National 
Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations.  From 1993 to 2010, Mr. Lynch was an 
executive officer and director of Grant Forest Products Inc. (“Grant Forest”).  On June 25, 
2009, Grant Forest and certain affiliated entities filed and obtained protection under the 
Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in order to restructure their business affairs and on 
November 27, 2015, Grant Forest filed for bankruptcy. 

The term of office for all current directors will end at the conclusion of the next Annual General 
Meeting of the Company’s shareholders.  The next Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 
Thursday, April 28, 2016. 

Committees of the Board 

The table below lists the committees of Interfor’s board of directors and their members as of 
February 10, 2016: 

Committees 

Audit 

Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee 

Management Resources & Compensation Committee 

Environment & Safety Committee 

Members 

Douglas Whitehead (Chair) 
Paul Herbert 
Peter Lynch 
Scott Thomson 

Eddie McMillan (Chair) 
Jeane Hull 
Peter Lynch 
Gordon MacDougall 
Douglas Whitehead 

Gordon MacDougall (Chair) 
Eddie McMillan 
Lawrence Sauder 

Peter Lynch (Chair) 
Paul Herbert 
Jeane Hull  
Lawrence Sauder 
Scott Thomson 

Officers of the Company 

The following table sets out the Company’s officers as of February 11, 2016, their respective 
municipalities of residence and their principal occupations for at least the last five years: 

Name and  
Municipality of Residence 

Positions Held and Principal Occupations 

From 

To 

DUNCAN K. DAVIES  
Vancouver, BC, Canada 

President & Chief Executive Officer 
Interfor Corporation 

JOHN A. HORNING  
West Vancouver, BC, Canada 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer  
Interfor Corporation 

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer  
Interfor Corporation 

2000 

Present 

2014 

Present 

2002 

2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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103 

J. STEVEN HOFER 
Bellingham, WA, USA 

Senior Vice President, US Northwest Operations  
Interfor Corporation 

2014 

Present 

Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing  
Interfor Corporation 

Vice President, Sales & Marketing 
Interfor Corporation 

General Manager, Sales & Marketing 
Interfor U.S. Inc. (formerly Interfor Pacific Inc.) 

2014 

2015 

2011 

2014 

2004 

2011 

JOSEPH A. RODGERS 
Sharpsburg, GA, USA 

Senior Vice President, US Southeast Operations 
Interfor Corporation 

2014 

Present 

Vice President, US Operations 
Interfor Corporation 

Vice President, Operations – Solid Wood 
Temple-Inland Building Products  

Operations Manager – Solid Wood 
Temple-Inland Building Products 

2013 

2014 

2011 

2013 

2009 

2011 

MARTIN L. JURAVSKY 
Toronto, ON, Canada 

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy 
Interfor Corporation 

2014 

Present 

Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy 
Interfor Corporation 

Business Consultant 

Vice President, Corporate Development 
Woodland Biofuels Inc. 

Managing Director 
Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. 

IAN M. FILLINGER 
Kamloops, BC, Canada 

Senior Vice President, Head of Operations 
Interfor Corporation 

Senior Vice President, Canadian Operations 
Interfor Corporation 

Vice President, Canadian Operations 
Interfor Corporation 

Senior General Manager 
Interfor Corporation 

2013 

2014 

2012 

2013 

2011 

2012 

2009 

2011 

2015 

Present 

2014 

2015 

2013 

2014 

2013 

2013 

General Manager, Adams Lake & Coastal Manufacturing 
Interfor Corporation 

2012 

2013 

General Manager, Adams Lake Division 
Interfor Corporation 

MARK W. STOCK 
North Vancouver, BC, Canada 

Senior Vice President, Human Resources 
Interfor Corporation 

Vice President, Human Resources 
Interfor Corporation 

Vice President, Global Human Resources  
Tree Island Industries Ltd. 

2005 

2012 

2014 

Present 

2012 

2014 

2007 

2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

BART BENDER 
West Vancouver, BC, Canada 

Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing 
Interfor Corporation 

Senior Vice President, Operations 
Ainsworth Lumber Co. 

Vice President, Sales 
Ainsworth Lumber Co. 

General Manager, Sales 
Ainsworth Lumber Co. 

RICHARD J. SLACO  
Delta, BC, Canada 

Vice President & Chief Forester 
Interfor Corporation 

XENIA KRITSOS 
Vancouver, BC, Canada 

General Counsel & Corporate Secretary 
Interfor Corporation 

General Counsel & Corporate Secretary 
Coalspur Mines Limited 

Senior Legal Counsel 
Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. 

104 

2015 

Present 

2014 

2015 

2012 

2014 

2002 

2012 

2002 

Present 

2015 

Present 

2013 

2015 

2009 

2013 

SHAREHOLDINGS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 

As at December 31, 2015, the directors and officers of the Company as a group owned, 
directly or indirectly, or exercised control of or direction over 875,434 Common Shares 
representing approximately 1.25% of the outstanding Common Shares.   

INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Since the commencement of our most recently completed financial year, and for the three 
most recently completed financial years, no director or executive officer of the Company, no 
person or company that is the direct or indirect beneficial owner of, or who exercises control or 
direction over, more than 10% of the Company’s voting securities or any associate or affiliate 
of such persons, has had any material interest in any transaction involving the Company.  

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

We are not a party to, and our property is not the subject of, any material legal proceedings 
that took place in 2015, are currently in underway, or which we know to be contemplated. 

INTEREST OF EXPERTS 

KPMG LLP are the external auditors of the Company and have confirmed that they are 
independent with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Rules of Professional 
Conduct of Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia and the applicable rules and 
regulations thereunder. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

AUDIT COMMITTEE INFORMATION 

105 

The Company’s Audit Committee (the "Committee") is mandated to oversee the accounting 
and financial reporting processes of the Company and audits of its financial statements in 
accordance with the Board’s objectives.  The Committee’s functions include:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reviewing and, if appropriate, recommending approval by the Board of the Company’s 
annual and quarterly financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis and 
earnings press releases;  

reviewing and approving disclosures required to be included in the Company’s Annual 
Information Form and Management Information Circular relating to the Audit 
Committee and audit and non-audit services and fees;  

reviewing the process for certification, and the certification, of the interim and annual 
financial statements by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer; 

reviewing all public disclosure containing financial results or financial information; 

reviewing matters related to internal controls over financial reporting of the Company 
and ensuring the Company has adequate internal controls procedures in place; 

reviewing the principal risks of the Company, other than the risks associated with the 
Company’s compensation policies and practices, and ensuring that an effective risk 
management strategy is in place; 

reviewing the Company’s derivatives policies and activities, including details of 
exposures to banks and other counterparties; 

  overseeing the activities of and directly communicating with the Company’s external 

auditor; 

 

satisfying itself that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the public 
disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from the Company’s financial 
statements and periodically assessing the adequacy of those procedures;  

  establishing and periodically reviewing the policies and procedures for the receipt, 

retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, 
internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous 
submissions by the employees of the Company regarding questionable accounting or 
auditing matters; 

 

 

reviewing and approving the Company’s hiring policies regarding partners, employees 
and former partners and employees of the former and present Auditor; and 

reviewing the Company’s insurance programs, including the Company’s directors’ and 
officers’ insurance coverage, and making recommendations for their renewal or 
replacement.  

The Committee’s Terms of Reference, attached as Appendix “A” to this Annual Information 
Form, sets out its duties and responsibilities. 

The Committee met four times in 2015, in conjunction with regularly scheduled Board 
meetings. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

106 

Members’ Financial Literacy, Expertise and Simultaneous Service 

The board of directors has determined that the members of the Audit Committee during 2015 
were, and all current members of the Audit Committee are, literate and independent as defined 
in National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees.  The table below indicates the relevant 
education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee: 

Relevant Education and Experience 

Director 

Past Occupation 

Douglas W.G. 
Whitehead  

Chair of the Audit 
Committee since May 
2012 

Paul Herbert 

Member since May 2014 

Mr. Whitehead is a Corporate Director.  From 2000 to 2008, he was the President and 
Chief Executive Officer of Finning International Inc. (“Finning”).  Prior to joining 
Finning, Mr. Whitehead held a number of senior executive positions with Fletcher 
Challenge Canada, including President and Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice 
President and Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of the Crown Packaging 
Division.  Mr. Whitehead is currently the director and Chair of Finning and a director of 
both Belkorp Industries Inc. and Kal Tire. Previously, he served as director of Inmet 
Mining Corporation, Ballard Power Systems Inc., Terasen Inc., Fletcher Challenge 
Canada, Finlay Forest Industries and Timberwest Forest Limited.  Mr. Whitehead holds 
a Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering) from the University of British Columbia and 
a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario. 

Mr. Herbert is a corporate director with over 47 years of experience in the pulp and 
paper industry.  From 2007 to 2013, Mr. Herbert was the Chief Executive Officer of Ilim 
Group, Russia’s largest forest pulp & paper company.  From 2003 to 2007, he was 
Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Initiatives for International Paper.  Prior 
thereto, he held various senior executive positions with International Paper, including 
Senior Vice President, Printing and Communications, President of International Paper 
Europe and Vice President Engineering & Manufacturing. He is currently a director of 
Ilim Timber Group in Russia. He holds a degree in Engineering from East London 
Polytechnic University and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Texas 
A&M University. 

Peter M. Lynch 

Member since April 2009 

Mr. Lynch is currently President & CEO of Dieffenbacher USA, Inc. (“Dieffenbacher”).  
Prior thereto he provided consulting services to Dieffenbacher.  From 1993 to 2010, he 
was an Executive Vice President and director of Grant Forest Products Inc. (and its 
predecessor), a producer of OSB and engineered wood products.  Mr. Lynch holds a 
LL.B from Osgoode Law School and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. 

L. Scott Thomson 

Member since November 
2012 

Mr. Thomson is currently President and CEO of Finning International Inc., the world's 
largest Caterpillar equipment dealer.  From 2008 to 2013, he was Chief Financial 
Officer of Talisman Energy Inc.  Prior thereto, Mr. Thomson was Executive Vice 
President, Corporate Development, Vice President, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, 
and Vice President, Corporate Strategy at Bell Canada Enterprises Inc.  Mr. Thomson 
holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University and a Masters of Business 
Administration from the University of Chicago. 

AUDIT FEES 

The Committee annually recommends the appointment of the Company’s external auditors and 
approves the annual audit plan and compensation of the external auditors for all audit, audit 
related and non-audit services.  In the case of non-audit services, the services and 
compensation are approved by the Committee before the services commence. 

 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

107 

KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, Vancouver, are the independent auditors of the Company.  
Fees paid or accrued to KPMG LLP for audit and other services for the years ended December 
31, 2014 and December 31, 2015, were as follows: 

Audit fees  
Fees billed for professional services rendered.  

Audit-related fees 
Audit-related fees consist principally of fees for professional services rendered 
with respect to audits of a defined benefit pension plan and subsidiary 
companies (2015 and 2014) and bought deal financing involvement (2015). 

Tax fees  
Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance services, planning and related 
services, personal tax (foreign and domestic) compliance and planning advice, 
indirect tax recovery audit contingency fees which are based on percentage of 
recoveries (2015 and 2014), and advice on setup of Insurance Captive (2015).  

All Other fees  
Forestry certification, and assistance with ERP system design and conversion 
review (2015 and 2014); advice on leading practice for IT procurement (2015). 

TOTAL  

CODE OF ETHICS 

2015 

2014 

$581,256 

$586,900 

183,738 

61,500 

88,731 

37,771 

99,800 

123,347 

$953,525 

$809,518 

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees.  A copy 
of the code, entitled “Code of Conduct & Ethics”, can be found on our website at 
www.interfor.com. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Additional information relating to the Company, including directors’ and officers’ remuneration 
and indebtedness, principal holders of the Company’s securities and securities authorized for 
issuance under equity compensation plans, is contained in the Company’s Information Circular 
for its most recent annual meeting of shareholders that involved the election of directors. 

Additional financial information about the Company is provided in the Company’s audited 
consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year 
ended December 31, 2015. 

Copies of the documents referred to above and additional information relating to the Company 
are available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, on the Company’s website 
www.interfor.com and may also be obtained upon request from:   

Interfor Corporation 

  General Counsel & Corporate Secretary 

3500-1055 Dunsmuir Street 
Vancouver, British Columbia  
Canada, V7X 1H7 
Telephone: 604 689 6800 
Facsimile:   604 689 6825 
E-mail:   corporatesecretary@interfor.com 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

PURPOSE  

Appendix “A” 

AUDIT COMMITTEE 
Terms of Reference 

108 

The Audit Committee has been established by the Board and under powers delegated to it by 
the Board is mandated to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the 
Company and audits of its financial statements in accordance with the Board Objective. 

COMPOSITION AND TERM OF OFFICE  

1. 

The Audit Committee shall consist of four or more Directors.   

2. 

3. 

4. 

All members of the Audit Committee shall be independent within the meaning of National 
Instrument 52-110 (“NI 51-110”). 

All members must be financially literate within the meaning of NI 52-110 or become 
financially literate within a reasonable period following appointment and at least one 
member should have accounting or related expertise. 

The Chair of the Audit Committee along with other Audit Committee members will be 
appointed annually by the Board following the AGM to hold office until the next AGM, 
unless any member becomes unable to serve or is removed by the Board.  A casual 
vacancy may be filled and additional members may be appointed at any time by the 
Board to hold office until the next AGM.   

5. 

A quorum shall consist of a simple majority. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

The Audit Committee shall perform the following functions, as well as any other functions 
specifically authorized by the Board: 

Financial Disclosure, Risk Management and Internal Controls 

1. 

Review the following documents before the public disclosure of same by the Company, 
and, if appropriate, recommend approval by the Board of the Company’s: 

a.  annual and quarterly financial statements;  

b.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis; and 

c.  annual and interim earnings press releases. 

The review will involve direct discussions with Management and the Company’s external 
auditor (the “Auditor”), including an opportunity for an in-camera meeting with the 
Auditor independent of Management.  

2. 

Review and approve the disclosures required by applicable securities laws to be included 
in the Company’s Annual Information Form and Management Information Circular 
relating to the Audit Committee and audit and non-audit services and fees. 

 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

109 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

Review the process for certification of the interim and annual financial statements by the 
CEO and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and the certification made by the CEO and CFO. 

Review all news releases announcing financial results, containing financial information 
based on unreleased financial results or non-GAAP financial measures or providing 
earnings guidance, forward-looking financial information and future-oriented financial 
information or financial outlooks before the public disclosure of same by the Company. 

Review financial information contained in any prospectus, take-over bid circular, issuer 
bid circular, rights offering circular and any other document that the Audit Committee is 
to review before the public disclosure of same by the Company, and, if appropriate, 
recommend approval by the Board. 

Review matters related to internal controls over financial reporting of the Company and 
ensure the Company has adequate procedures in place in respect thereof.  Ensure that 
the necessary measures are taken to follow up suggestions from the Auditor’s reports. 

Review the principal risks of the Company, other than the risks associated with the 
Company’s compensation policies and practices, and ensure that an effective risk 
management strategy is in place. 

Review the Company’s derivatives policies and activities, including details of exposures to 
banks and other counterparties. 

External Auditor 

9. 

Review and recommend to the Board the appointment of the Auditor to be nominated for 
the purposes of preparing or issuing an Auditor’s report and performing other audit, 
review or attest services for the Company. 

10.  Establish the mandate of the Auditor, including the annual engagement, audit plan, audit 

scope and compensation for the audit services, subject to shareholder approval. 

11.  Oversee the activities of the Auditor.  The Auditor shall report directly to the Audit 

Committee. 

12.  Directly communicate and meet with the Auditor, with and without Management present, 

to discuss the results of their examinations. 

13.  Review the independence of the Auditor, any rotation of the partners assigned to the 

audit in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards, the internal quality 
control findings of the Auditor’s firm and peer reviews. 

14.  Review the performance of the Auditor, including the relationship between the Auditor 

and Management and the evaluation of the lead partner of the Auditor. 

15.  Resolve disagreements between Management and the Auditor regarding financial 

reporting. 

16.  Review material written communications between the Auditor and Management. 

 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

Non-Audit Services 

110 

17.  Pre-approve non-audit services.  The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more of 
its members the authority to pre-approve non-audit services.  The pre-approval of 
non-audit services by any member to whom authority has been delegated shall be 
presented to the Committee at its first scheduled meeting following such pre-approval. 

Company Policies 

18.  Satisfy itself that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the public disclosure 

of financial information extracted or derived from the Company’s financial statements 
and periodically assess the adequacy of those procedures. 

19.  Establish and periodically review the policies and procedures for the receipt, retention 
and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal 
accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submissions by 
the employees of the Company regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.  

20.  Review and approve the Company’s hiring policies regarding partners, employees and 

former partners and employees of the former and present Auditor. 

Insurance 

21.  Review the Company’s insurance programs, including the Company’s directors’ and 
officers’ insurance coverage, and make recommendations for their renewal or 
replacement. 

MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The Audit Committee shall meet a minimum of four (4) times per year and, subject to 
these Terms of Reference and applicable law, otherwise establish its procedures and 
govern itself as the members of the Audit Committee may see fit in order to carry out 
and fulfill its duties and responsibilities hereunder.  Extraordinary meetings of the Audit 
Committee may be called at the request of a member on the Audit Committee or the 
Chair of the Board to be held at such times and places as the person calling such 
meeting may determine.  

A majority of members of the Audit Committee will constitute a quorum (provided that a 
quorum shall not be less than two (2) members).  Decisions of the Audit Committee will 
be by an affirmative vote of the majority of those members of the Audit Committee 
voting at a meeting.  In the event of an equality of votes, the Chair will not have a 
casting or deciding vote.  The Audit Committee may also act by resolution in writing 
signed by all the members of the Audit Committee. 

The Audit Committee shall appoint a Secretary who shall keep minutes or other records 
of its meetings and proceedings.  

The Chair of the Audit Committee shall report to the Board at its next regular meeting 
the Audit Committee’s deliberations and recommendations, if any, requiring the Board’s 
approval. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Information Form 

____________________ 

OTHER MATTERS 

111 

1. 

2. 

The Audit Committee is authorized to engage any outside advisor it deems necessary to 
carry out its duties and responsibilities and to arrange payment of the advisor’s 
compensation by the Company.   

The Audit Committee may, at the request of the Board or at its own initiative, investigate 
such other matters as it considers appropriate in furtherance of the Audit Committee’s 
purpose. 

 
 
 
112 

GLOSSARY 

Unless otherwise noted, all financial references in this Annual Report are in Canadian Dollars. 

“Adjusted EBITDA” EBITDA excluding long term incentive compensation, other income (expense), 
Beaver sawmill post-closure wind-down costs and Tacoma sawmill post-acquisition losses. 

“Adjusted Net Earnings” Net earnings (loss) before restructuring costs, asset write-downs and other 
costs, other foreign exchange gains (losses), long term incentive compensation, other income (expense), 
Beaver sawmill post-closure wind-down costs, Tacoma sawmill post-acquisition losses, the income tax 
effect of the aforementioned adjustments, and previously unrecognized deferred tax assets. 

“Allowable Annual Cut (AAC)” The average annual volume of timber which the holder of a licence from 
the Province of British Columbia may harvest on Crown land under the licence in a five-year control 
period. 

 “Cash flow from operations” Cash flow provided by operating activities before considering changes in 
operating working capital. 

“Custom cutting” An arrangement under which a mill contracts to cut logs owned by a customer into 
products of specifications defined by the customer. 

“Crown” Administrative agency of the provincial government of British Columbia 

“EBITDA” Earnings before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, 
restructuring costs, asset write-downs and other costs, and other foreign exchange gains (losses). 

 “Forest Licence” Replaceable, volume-based timber cutting rights for a specific volume of Crown timber 
within a Timber Supply area. 

“Invested Capital” The total of Net debt and shareholders’ equity. 

“m³” A measure of one cubic metre of solid wood, British Columbia metric scale, as determined under the 
Forest Act, equal to 35.3 cubic feet of solid wood. 

“mfbm” or “Mbf” One thousand foot board measure equal to one thousand square feet of lumber, one 
inch thick. 

“Net debt” The total of long term debt and bank indebtedness, less cash and cash equivalents. 

“Pre-tax return on total assets” Earnings (loss) before income taxes, restructuring costs, asset write-
downs and other costs, other foreign exchange gains (losses) and other income (expense), divided by the 
average of opening and closing total assets for annual periods or by opening total assets for three month 
periods. 

“Silviculture” The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health and 
quality of forests. 

“Stumpage” A charge assessed by the provincial government on all Crown timber harvested. 

“Sustained yield (sustainable log supply)” The yield that a forest area can produce on an ongoing 
basis without impairment of the long-term productivity of the land. 

“Timber Licence” Non-replaceable, area based, Crown timber cutting rights. 

“Tree Farm Licence” A renewable 25-year licence to manage a forest area to yield an annual harvest on 
a sustainable basis. 

“Value-added product” A commodity or other product that has been further processed to increase 
financial value. 

“Whitewood” Includes the Coastal species Hemlock, Balsam Fir, Douglas-Fir and Spruce; the term 
whitewood is used on the British Columbia Coast to differentiate the above species from Western Red 
Cedar and Yellow Cedar. 

 
 
DIRECTORS 

As of March 9, 2016 

Duncan K. Davies  

Vancouver, BC, Canada 

Jeane Hull 

Sheridan, WY, US 

Gordon H. MacDougall  

West Vancouver, BC, Canada 

Thomas V. Milroy 

Toronto, ON, Canada 

L. Scott Thomson 

Vancouver, BC, Canada 

OFFICERS 

As of March 9, 2016 

E. Lawrence Sauder 

Chair 

John A. Horning  

Executive Vice President &  
Chief Financial Officer 

Mark W. Stock 

113 

Paul Herbert 

Germantown, TN, US 

Peter M. Lynch  

Toronto, ON, Canada 

J. Eddie McMillan  

Pensacola, FL, US 

E. Lawrence Sauder  

Vancouver, BC, Canada 

Douglas W.G. Whitehead  

North Vancouver, BC, Canada 

Duncan K. Davies  

President & Chief Executive Officer 

Martin L. Juravsky 

Senior Vice President, Corporate  
Development & Strategy 

Bart Bender 

Senior Vice President, Human Resources 

Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing 

Ian M. Fillinger 

J. Steven Hofer 

Senior Vice President, Head of Operations 

Senior Vice President, US Northwest Operations 

Richard J. Slaco 

Xenia Kritsos 

Vice President and Chief Forester 

General Counsel & Corporate Secretary 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE INFORMATION  

Stock Exchange 
Common Shares listed on  
The Toronto Stock Exchange 
Symbol:  IFP 

Auditors 
KPMG LLP, Vancouver, BC 

Transfer Agent 
Computershare Investor  
Services Inc. 
Vancouver, BC and Toronto, ON 

114 

Investor Contact 
Martin Juravsky 
Senior Vice President,  
Corporate Development & Strategy 
Tel:  (604) 689-6873 
martin.juravsky@interfor.com 

Corporate Office  
Tel:  (604) 689-6800 
Fax: (604) 688-0313 
P.O. Box 49114 
3500-1055 Dunsmuir Street 
Vancouver, BC  V7X 1H7 

SALES AND MARKETING 

North America – Cedar  
Tel:  (604) 422-3400 
Fax: (604) 422-3244 
1600 - 4720 Kingsway 
Metrotower II 
Burnaby, BC, Canada  V5H 4N2 

North America – Southern 
Yellow Pine 
Tel:  (770) 282-3250 
Fax: (770) 486-6837 
700 Westpark Drive 
Peachtree City, GA, US  30269 

North America - Whitewood 
Tel:  (360) 788-2200 
Fax: (360) 788-2210 
2211 Rimland Drive, Suite 220 
Bellingham, WA, US 98226 

China 
Tel: +86-21-6333-6268 
Fax: +86-21-6333-6290 
Unit 1007, Tower No. 1 
No. 268 Zhongshan South Road 
Shanghai, 200010, China 

Japan 
Tel: 03-5641-2351 
Fax: 03-5641-2383 
Kasahara Bldg. 6F, 1-7-7 
Nihonbashi, Ningyocho, Chuo-ku 
Tokyo, Japan 103 - 0013 

Europe 
Tel: +33-2-40-32-05-25 
Fax: +33-2-40-32-02-25 
ZI Cheviré 
7 rue de l'Houmaille 
44340 BOUGUENAIS, France 

Export – Whitewood & Cedar  
Tel:  (604) 422-3468 
Fax: (604) 422-3250 
1600-4720 Kingsway 
Metrotower II 
Burnaby, BC, Canada  V5H 4N2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATIONS AND LOCATIONS 

Acorn Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:   (604) 581-0494 
Fax:  (604) 581-5757 
9355 Alaska Way  
Delta, BC  V4C 4R7 

Castlegar Division 
(Sawmill and Woodlands) 
Tel:   (250) 365-4400 
Fax:  (604) 422-3252 
P.O. Box 3728 
2705 Arrow Lakes Drive  
Castlegar, BC  V1N 3W4 

Eatonton Division  
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (706) 485-4271 
Fax: (706) 485-3879 
370 Dennis Station Road SW 
Eatonton, GA  31024 

Grand Forks Division 
(Sawmill and Woodlands) 
Tel:  (250) 443-2400 
Fax: (604) 422-3253 
P.O. Box 39 
570 68th Ave. 
Grand Forks, BC  V0H 1H0 

Meldrim Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (912) 748-7310 
Fax: (912) 748-8354 
911 Old River Road 
Bloomingdale, GA 31302 

Adams Lake Division 
(Sawmill and Woodlands) 
Tel:  (250) 679-3234 
Fax: (250) 679-3545 
9200 Holding Road 
Chase, BC  V0E 1M2 

Cedarprime 
(Remanufacturing) 
Interfor Cedarprime Inc.  
Tel:  (360) 988-2120  
Fax: (360) 988-2126 
601C West Front Street 
Sumas, WA  98295 

Georgetown Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (843) 546-6138 
Fax: (843) 527-4033 
2701 Indian Hut Road 
Georgetown, SC 29440-9146 

Hammond Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (604) 465-5401 
Fax: (604) 422-3221 
20580 Maple Crescent 
Maple Ridge, BC  V2X 1B1 

Molalla Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (503) 829-9131 
Fax: (503) 829-5481 
15555 S. Hwy. 211 
Molalla, OR  97038 

Perry Division 
(Sawmill & Remanufacturing) 
Tel:  (478) 987-2105 
Fax: (478) 987-5773 
903 Jernigan Street 
Perry, GA  31069-3435 

Port Angeles Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (360) 457-6266 
Fax: (360) 457-1486 
243701 Highway 101 West 
Port Angeles, WA  98363 

Swainsboro Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel: (912) 562-4441 
Fax: (912) 562-3621 
8796 Highway 297 
Swainsboro, GA  30401 

Thomaston Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (706) 648-4900 
Fax: (706) 646-3534 
75 Ben Hill Road 
Thomaston, GA  30286 

115 

Baxley Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (912) 367-3671 
Fax: (912) 367-1500 
1830 Golden Isles East 
Baxley, GA  31513 

Coastal Woodlands Division  
(Woodlands) 
Tel:  (250) 286-1881 
Fax: (250) 286-3412 
1250A Ironwood Street 
Campbell River, BC  V9W 6H5 

Gilchrist Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (541) 433-2222 
Fax: (541) 433-9581 
P.O. Box 638 
#1 Sawmill Road  
Gilchrist, OR  97737 

Longview Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (360) 575-3600 
Fax: (360) 575-3628 
540 3rd Ave. 
Longview, WA 98632 

Monticello Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (870) 224-7200 
Fax: (870) 367-7924 
211 Old Troy Road 
Monticello, AR 71655 

Preston Division 
(Sawmill) 
Tel:  (229) 828-4265 
Fax: (229) 828-4370 
378 Tolleson Road 
Preston, GA  31824 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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