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Canada launches Forest Sector Action Plan

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VICTORIA, BC, June 4, 2026 /CNW/ – Canada’s forest sector is at a pivotal moment. Ongoing pressures — including tariffs, fibre supply challenges, changing market demands and climate change — are significantly impacting the industry and the communities that depend on it. In response, the Government of Canada is focusing on what we can control — and moving forward with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners on a co-ordinated approach to transform the sector into one that can thrive in the long term.

Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a Forest Sector Action Plan, with key commitments to drive the transformation of the forest sector in collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and other key partners.

The Action Plan is informed by the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s recommendations and builds on the extensive work it completed during its 90–day mandate.

The plan focuses on four priority areas to position Canada’s forest sector as a leading global supplier of both traditional and advanced forest products:

Securing a competitive and predictable supply of wood fibre;Making the investments required for innovation and modernization across the sector;Expanding domestic and international market opportunities; andSupporting workers and communities through skills development and transition measures.

Federal, provincial and territorial governments discussed the implementation of the Action Plan during this year’s meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM). At the meeting, governments committed to collaborate over the coming months to align policies and investments, reduce barriers and accelerate progress toward transformation. This work will come together by the end of 2026 in a formal Forest Sector Strategy for Canada.

Canada’s natural resources have long underpinned our prosperity — and as we work to build the strongest economy in the G7 and double non-U.S. trade over the next decade, our forest sector can play a central role. By supporting workers today and modernizing the industry for tomorrow, the Government of Canada is ensuring the forest sector remains a pillar of strength and prosperity for decades to come.

Quotes

“Mills are closing, Canadians are losing jobs, and communities are suffering, due to tariff pressures, market changes and more. We must take action to pivot, grow, modernize and diversify so we can protect the industry we have built and catalyze its growth for the long term. Today’s Action Plan builds on the work of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force and provides a clear path forward for the concrete measures Team Canada will take to build a strong, prosperous, sovereign Canada for all.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Canada’s forest sector relies on the people, families and communities who build it. At a time of real challenge, this Action Plan will empower workers with the skills they need to thrive while supporting good jobs and helping communities adapt. By investing in skills and innovation, we are building a stronger, more inclusive economy where the forest sector continues to create opportunity today and shape a sustainable future for generations to come.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Quick Facts

Canada’s forest sector is a major economic driver, supporting nearly 200,000 workers, including over 11,000 Indigenous people, and contributing more than $20 billion to our GDP.Since August 2025, the Government of Canada has introduced over $2 billion in measures designed to defend and transform Canada’s forest sector, including the renewal of NRCan’s suite of forest sector transformation programs.The Government of Canada announced the creation of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force on November 26, 2025, as part of new measures to support and transform Canada’s forest sector.The Task Force was launched on January 19, 2026, and mandated to deliver a final report within 90 days.On June 3, 2026, Minister Hodgson released the Task Force’s final report and announced new and expanded measures to support the transformation of Canada’s forest sector as well as close to $130 million for 56 forest sector projects across the country.

Related Products

Draft Action Plan to Transform Canada’s Forest SectorCanadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s final reportCanada advances forest sector transformation to protect jobs and strengthen communities nationwide (June 3, 2026)Statement by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on the conclusion of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s mandate (April 16, 2026)Government of Canada launches $500 million in support for retooling Canada’s forest sector (February 25, 2026)Advancing protections and support for Canada’s forest sector (December 15, 2025)Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to protect and transform Canada’s steel and lumber industries (November 26, 2025)Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to transform Canada’s softwood lumber industry (August 5, 2025)

Associated Links

Canada’s softwood lumber industrySupport for Canada’s Forest Sector Employers and WorkersSoftwood Lumber Guarantee Program

Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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GeoComm Expands Indoor Mapping Delivery Through Partnership with Map I.T.

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Partnership gives organizations a more scalable path to turn existing building records into usable indoor GIS data.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. and CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GeoComm, a leader in public safety grade location intelligence, and Map I.T. today announced a partnership designed to help organizations more efficiently collect existing conditions and transform floorplans and building records into structured, operational indoor GIS data.

Organizations often have valuable building information locked in paper floorplans, scanned images, PDFs, CAD files, and other formats that are difficult to use within modern mapping, safety, and operational systems. Converting those materials or creating new floor plans into usable indoor GIS data can require multiple stages of preparation, conversion, quality review, and coordination.

Through the partnership, GeoComm and Map I.T. combine complementary strengths to give customers a coordinated path from existing building records to operational indoor maps. Map I.T. contributes specialized experience in LiDAR laser scanning and reality capture, floor plan and 3D model creation and preparation, and GIS data development, while GeoComm brings public safety grade location intelligence expertise, data quality standards, and operational context. As part of GeoComm’s broader services ecosystem strategy, the companies can align the right expertise and resources with each engagement based on the customer’s needs, providing a flexible approach that is not limited to a single delivery model.

“No single delivery model fits every indoor mapping project,” said Nate Ekdahl, Director of Services Strategy, GeoComm. “Our strategy is to combine GeoComm’s expertise with the right partner capabilities for each engagement, giving customers more flexibility to address projects of different sizes, source materials, and timelines while maintaining a consistent focus on quality and operational outcomes.”

By coordinating capabilities across the project lifecycle, GeoComm and Map I.T. can help customers reduce fragmented handoffs, address larger or more complex initiatives, and maintain consistent expectations around data quality and operational usability.

Through the partnership, customers can:

Create new floor plans and map critical assetsTransform paper, PDF, CAD, and other building records into structured indoor GIS data.Scale indoor mapping initiatives across multiple buildings, campuses, and sites.Reduce fragmented handoffs across preparation, conversion, and GIS development activities.Align delivery resources with project requirements, timelines, and scale.Establish usable indoor maps that support safety and operational workflows.

“By partnering with GeoComm, Map I.T. is combining our reality capture and mapping expertise with their specialized public safety knowledge to provide clients with a seamless project experience and industry-leading deliverables,” said Zachary Jaffe, Founder and CEO, Map I.T. “We look forward to delivering these enhanced capabilities through our collaborative approach.”

The partnership strengthens GeoComm’s growing services ecosystem and provides organizations with a more flexible and scalable way to address indoor mapping needs — bringing together the capabilities required to turn existing building information into trusted location intelligence that can support real-world operations.

About GeoComm

GeoComm provides public safety grade location data and maps that technology partners embed to bring operational context and trusted location intelligence into critical workflows. Through indoor and outdoor mapping, flexible integrations, and actively maintained data, GeoComm helps partners strengthen their platforms with better operational context and shared situational awareness. Together, these capabilities help partners deliver the shared operational picture agencies, organizations, and responders’ need, supporting faster, more informed decisions across critical operations. Learn more at geocomm.com

About Map I.T.

Map I.T. is a geospatial and GIS consulting firm specializing in indoor and outdoor mapping solutions for public safety, emergency response, and facility operations. We leverage LiDAR laser scanning, 360° panoramic imagery, and other reality-capture technologies to create accurate digital representations of the built environment. We transform field-collected data into detailed floor plans, 3D models, indoor maps, and critical asset inventories, then deploy that information through GIS to make it accessible and actionable. Our expertise lies in collecting, compiling, packaging, and delivering spatial data to the people who need it most, when time is of the essence.  Learn more at map-it-llc.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geocomm-expands-indoor-mapping-delivery-through-partnership-with-map-it-302869699.html

SOURCE GeoComm, Inc

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Party Expert Myla Tebbutt Explains Why Inflatable Obstacle Courses Are Great for Teens in HelloNation

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The article explains how inflatable obstacle courses combine active play, social interaction, and structured design to keep teens engaged at events.

DALLAS, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Why are inflatable obstacle courses popular for teen events in Dallas? That question is answered in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Party Expert Myla Tebbutt of Bounce N More in Dallas, TX. The feature explores how inflatable obstacle courses combine active engagement, safe design, and social interaction to create exciting experiences that appeal to older children and teenagers. Tebbutt explains that when properly supervised and installed, these inflatables balance challenge and fun in a structured way that keeps teens moving and connected throughout the event.

The HelloNation article begins by noting that inflatable obstacle courses add more variety and energy to gatherings than traditional bounce houses. Their layouts encourage climbing, crawling, sliding, and racing through a sequence of challenges that stimulate both coordination and endurance. Party Expert Myla Tebbutt explains that this form of structured play keeps teens engaged longer because the activity changes continuously. Each section requires different movements, preventing the monotony that can occur with single-feature inflatables. Teens enjoy repeating the course, competing for time, and cheering for friends, which naturally builds enthusiasm and friendly competition.

Social interaction is a major factor in the success of inflatable obstacle courses at Dallas teen events. The courses allow participants to race side-by-side, encouraging teamwork and lighthearted rivalry. Spectators can easily watch the progress of their friends, creating a lively, supportive environment. According to the HelloNation feature, these setups foster both group participation and peer encouragement, helping teens stay active while maintaining the social connection that defines many youth gatherings. Obstacle courses provide movement and conversation in equal measure, promoting community and engagement without pressure.

Flexibility also makes inflatable obstacle courses valuable for event planning. While they appeal primarily to teens, their design accommodates a range of ages and ability levels. Older children can join in without disrupting the flow, and the built-in structure helps organizers manage lines and participation safely. Limiting the number of participants on the course at a time prevents overcrowding, maintaining a steady pace that works well for both small and large groups. Event planners across Dallas appreciate how this natural pacing supports order and keeps energy levels balanced.

The article highlights that safety remains central to inflatable obstacle course design. Cushioned surfaces reduce impact during climbing and sliding, while enclosed lanes guide participants along a safe, predictable path.

Physical challenge is another reason inflatable obstacle courses stand out at Dallas teen events. The layout offers difficulty without risk, encouraging teens to test their balance and coordination. Short climbing walls, squeeze tunnels, and controlled slides all contribute to a sense of progress and accomplishment. Tebbutt explains that these challenges provide just enough resistance to keep participants engaged while maintaining an atmosphere of fun. Each successful run through the course gives teens a sense of confidence and enjoyment, reinforcing the appeal of active engagement.

Indoor and outdoor adaptability adds further value. Inflatable obstacle courses can fit inside gyms, auditoriums, and recreational spaces during cooler or rainy seasons. During warmer months, they transition easily to outdoor parks, fields, and school grounds. Installation crews in Dallas review ceiling height, floor type, and available power to confirm compatibility with each venue. This flexibility allows event organizers to schedule activities year-round without worrying about weather disruptions.

Another advantage discussed in the HelloNation article is how obstacle courses help manage energy at large gatherings. Teens often bring high levels of enthusiasm that can become difficult to channel during long events. The structured design of an obstacle course provides a focused activity that transforms that energy into positive movement. After completing a run, participants leave smiling, comparing times, and encouraging others. The result is an upbeat environment that keeps everyone engaged while minimizing downtime or restlessness.

Durability also contributes to the reliability of inflatable obstacle courses for Dallas teen events. Units built for older participants feature reinforced seams, thick vinyl materials, and heavier stitching to support faster movement and higher weight capacity. Professional crews inspect each unit before delivery to ensure all surfaces remain firm and responsive. This attention to equipment maintenance supports consistent performance and helps teens feel secure as they move through each obstacle.

The HelloNation feature concludes that inflatable obstacle courses deliver an ideal combination of structured play and social engagement. They challenge teens physically while promoting teamwork, laughter, and community. With professional supervision, safe design, and thoughtful event planning, these inflatables provide dependable entertainment that fits a wide range of Dallas gatherings. Whether at school events, church functions, or graduation celebrations, obstacle courses offer a safe, energetic centerpiece that keeps teens active and connected.

Why Inflatable Obstacle Courses Are Great for Teens features insights from Myla Tebbutt, Party Expert of Dallas, TX, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/party-expert-myla-tebbutt-explains-why-inflatable-obstacle-courses-are-great-for-teens-in-hellonation-302870050.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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xTool Brings “The Human Age of Making” to IFA 2026, Empowering a New Generation of Creators

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BERLIN, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At IFA 2026, xTool will present the European debut of its next-generation xTool X1 professional laser, alongside the O1 Omni Printer and M2 Colour Craft Laser, two new products launched in Q2, demonstrating how digital fabrication is evolving from a specialist technology into a creative tool for a much broader generation of makers.

Building on the momentum of its Berlin brand conference, xTool will use IFA 2026 to put the spotlight not simply on what machines can do, but on what people can create with them.

At the heart of the xTool’s vision is a simple belief: the next era of making will be defined by human creativity, amplified by technology that is increasingly accessible, intuitive and capable.

As IFA 2026 explores “The Future Is Now”, xTool will demonstrate how advances in hardware, software and connected creative ecosystems are lowering the barriers between imagination and physical creation.

From professional-grade capability to everyday creativity

For years, advanced digital fabrication technologies have largely been associated with professional makers, specialist workshops and industrial environments. xTool is challenging that model by bringing increasingly powerful capabilities into consumer and prosumer spaces.

The company’s approach is built around three principles:

Accessibility, lowering the technical and financial barriers to advanced creation. Intuitiveness, making complex processes easier to understand and use. Expressiveness, giving people greater freedom to transform ideas, designs and imagination into physical creations.

This philosophy is reflected across xTool’s expanding portfolio, which combines hardware, software, AI-powered creation tools and a connected content ecosystem.

xTool X1 laser makes its first European debut at IFA 2026

One of the key highlights at IFA 2026 will be the European debut of the xTool X1, xTool’s next-generation all-in-one laser platform.

Designed around the philosophy “All the Best Lasers, Built into One,” the X1 addresses one of the long-standing limitations of digital fabrication: the fragmentation of different laser technologies across separate machines.

Its new architecture combines high-speed engraving, large-format processing and expandable multi-laser capabilities within a single platform.

At its core is Hybrid Motion™, which combines gantry motion with high-speed galvo scanning to bring speed and scale together in one system. Laser Swap™ further expands the platform across different laser sources and materials, creating an architecture designed to evolve alongside users’ creative ambitions.

The X1 represents xTool’s vision for the future of desktop fabrication: moving away from fragmented, single-purpose machines towards more integrated and scalable creation platforms.

IFA 2026 visitors will be among the first in Europe to see the xTool X1 in person. Further product details will be revealed at a later stage.

xTool O1 UV printer: Breaking down the boundaries between materials

Another key highlight at IFA will be the xTool Omni 1 UV Printer, whose launch reflects growing demand for more versatile digital creation tools.

The O1 Omni generated more than $20 million in first-day revenue, with more than 6,000 units sold, demonstrating strong early demand for a new generation of integrated fabrication tools.

By combining UV, DTG (direct-to-garment), DTF (direct-to-film) and UV DTF technologies within a single desktop ecosystem, the O1 Omni breaks down the traditional divide between rigid-material customisation and textile printing.

For creators, this means fewer boundaries between an idea, a material and the final object they want to make.

M2 Colour Craft Laser: Making advanced creation more accessible

Alongside its latest innovations, xTool will showcase the M2 Colour Craft Laser, designed to make advanced laser technology accessible to a broader generation of creators.

Combining colour printing, laser cutting and engraving in one device, the M2 supports more than 300 materials and a wide range of applications, from personalised crafts and home projects to creative side businesses.

Its integrated CMYK printing, dual cameras and ACS™ (Auto-Creation System) simplify the creative process, while its enclosed Class 1 design makes it suitable for home studios.

The M2 reflects a broader ambition at xTool: bringing digital fabrication into the mainstream of creative tools and giving more people the ability to move from an idea to something they can hold in their hands.

The future of making is human

As technology continues to reshape the creative landscape, xTool believes the most important evolution is not technological alone.

It is human.

The Human Age of Making is about giving more people the freedom and capability to create, personalise, experiment and bring ideas into the physical world.

About xTool

xTool is a global premium consumer-tech brand dedicated to empowering digital-to-physical creation. xTool provides a comprehensive ecosystem of laser-based personal creative tools, material printers, user-friendly software, accessories and consumables.

Through these innovations, xTool empowers people to turn imagination into meaningful creations that deliver emotional fulfilment, commercial opportunity and personal achievement.

Discover more at xTool.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xtool-brings-the-human-age-of-making-to-ifa-2026-empowering-a-new-generation-of-creators-302870054.html

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