OUTLOOK
Lumber
For the balance of 2013, North American lumber consumption is forecast to improve slightly as U.S. housing activity continues to gradually gain momentum. Increased U.S. housing activity is projected to favourably influence repair and remodeling sector as well through the second quarter of 2013. Canadian markets are anticipated to remain relatively slow due to tempered housing activity while offshore markets are projected to see modest growth in demand and stable prices with key markets such as Japan and China supporting current demand levels.
Pulp and Paper
NBSK pulp markets are projected to remain fairly challenging through the second quarter of 2013, but annual spring maintenance downtime should allow for modest price increases. The outlook for the second half of the year is more uncertain given the new hardwood and softwood pulp capacity projected to come online. For the month of April, the Company announced an increase in the North American NBSK pulp list price of US$30 per tonne to US$930.
OUTSTANDING SHARES
At May 1, 2013, there were 142,752,431 common shares outstanding.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recorded in the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates, including those related to useful lives for amortization, impairment of long-lived assets, certain accounts receivable, pension and other employee future benefit plans and asset retirement and deferred reforestation obligations based upon currently available information. While it is reasonably possible that circumstances may arise which cause actual results to differ from these estimates, management does not believe it is likely that any such differences will materially affect the Company's financial condition.
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company has adopted the following new and revised standards, along with any consequential amendments, effective January 1, 2013. These changes were made in accordance with the applicable transitional provisions.
-- The Company has assessed its consolidation conclusion on January 1, 2013 and determined that the adoption of IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements, did not result in any changes in the consolidation status of any of its subsidiaries and investees.-- The Company has adopted IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement, on January 1, 2013 on a prospective basis. The adoption of IFRS 13 did not require any adjustments to the valuation techniques used by the Company to measure fair value and did not result in any measurement adjustments as at January 1, 2013.-- The Company has adopted the amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, effective January 1, 2013. These amendments required the Company to group other comprehensive income items by those that may be recycled through net income and those that will not be recycled through net income. These changes did not result in any adjustments to other comprehensive income.-- The Company adopted IFRS 11, Joint Arrangements, which redefines joint operations and joint ventures with a focus on the rights and obligations of an arrangement, rather than its legal form. Under the new Standard, joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method accounting as set out in IAS 28, Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures, whereas for a joint operation the venturer will recognize its share of the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the joint operations. Canfor's 50% interest in the Canfor-LP OSB Limited Partnership ("Canfor- LP OSB") is classified as a joint venture. Canfor-LP OSB was previously accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method and is now accounted for using the equity method. The Company has restated its comparative period results for adoption of IFRS 11. Further details can be found in Note 14 to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.-- The Company adopted the amended IAS 19, Employee Benefits which changes the recognition and measurement of defined benefit pension expense and termination benefits and enhances the disclosure of all employee benefits. Pension benefit cost is split between (i) the cost of benefits accrued in the current period (service cost) and benefit changes (past- service costs (including plan amendments, settlements and curtailments)); and (ii) finance expense or income. Interest cost and expected return on plan assets, which previously reflected different rates, has been replaced with a net interest amount that is calculated by applying one discount rate to the net defined benefit liability (asset). The Company has restated its comparative period results for adoption of amended IAS 19. Further details can be found in Note 14 to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
