Art Lemay
President, Alberta Forest Products Association

As president of the Alberta Forest Products Association, Art Lemay, 54, was gratified by the 2004 revenues of $4.31 billion created by AFPA member companies, up 16.6% from $3.69 billion in 2003. Such gains confirmed the versatility and competitiveness of Alberta's forest industry in the global marketplace, despite the three-year softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the U.S. Lemay has concentrated his efforts on lobbying for Alberta's forest industry, speaking out in May 2005 when the federal government delivered a new negotiating proposal to Washington without approval from the nation's industry associations. Lemay took issue with Ottawa's fast-tracking of the report. He insisted Canadian officials should have met with the U.S. committee attempting to overturn a NAFTA ruling that said Canadian lumber poses no threat to American producers. Lemay's ability to forge partnerships, an acumen honed as president of Westmark Products Ltd., has helped the association raise its profile in the community. In January, Lemay and Inside Education pledged to rededicate its efforts to further continue forest education in the province. Lemay and members of the AFPA were recognized by Habitat for Humanity Canada in December 2004 for their dedication and contributions to Habitat's home-building program. - DH

What are the contributing factors for the increase in the value of products created by the Alberta Forest Products Association member companies last year?
There's not any one factor. The U.S. softwood dispute is forcing companies to look at products that are not covered under softwood. Housing starts in the U.S. and Canada were at record levels last year and a lot of that increase is panels and I-Joist, engineered beams and that type of material. Alberta is one of the world leaders as far as renewable forestry is concerned. Our member companies are very dedicated to ensuring that they not only have a livelihood in the future, but that the people of Alberta have a heritage to look forward to. One of the beauties of the forest industry is that it is a truly renewable resource. It's an industry where we have the opportunity to maintain and, in fact, enhance the forests in Alberta. It is a truly sustainable industry and it's an industry that works on 100- and 200-year cycles.

Who do you think is the greatest Albertan ever?
I think all Albertans contribute to the province. I don't single out anyone. The province is built than more than one person.

In 100 years, will you warrant your own chapter in the history books, a footnote to great events or a single Google hit?
I hope that I might hit the single Google. I'm just trying to do the best I can for not only myself, family, company, but for the industry at large.