Federal Court - Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure Developments ...

Page: 94
[370] The mill, as built, was a dimension mill, capable of producing a wide range of products. The
mill produced “rough green lumber”, that is the product that results from the primary breakdown
facility. It remains to be dried and planed into a finished product.
[371] The mill was planned to incorporate three independent phases of development, the first
being the breakdown of the log into rough green lumber, followed by drying and dressing for the
2010 FC 495 (CanLII)
finished product. Mr. Spencer explained that “rough green lumber” means that the timber is cut a
little and then shipped for further processing. The first phase was an interim step intended to
demonstrate the mill’s capability and thereby secure long-term tenure from DIAND.
[372] The second phase required kilns and a planer mill, and that part of the facility was not
realized. The planer would produce finished sides with a smooth surface, for the market. The kiln
dries the green wood to a moisture content of less than 19 percent. Included in the second phase was
a cogeneration facility to produce heat, for drying the lumber, and electricity to run the mill and to
sell into the local electrical grid.
[373] A third phase was also contemplated from the outset. It would involve the construction of a
re-manufacturing facility so as to optimize the usage of the timber and provide additional “valueadded”
to the mill’s products.
[374] With the exception of management, the employees were drawn from the town of Watson
Lake. The employees were both First Nations and non-First Nations people. Mr. Keith Spencer