Canadian Council of Forest Minister’s Meeting

Halifax, September 24, 2002 - - Helping Canada maintain its position as a world leader in sustainable forest management and ensuring the future competitiveness of the forest sector was the focus of discussions at the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) held in Halifax today.

"At the meeting, Canada's provincial, territorial and federal forest ministers sought consensus and provided direction on key issues affecting the sustainability of forests throughout Canada, said Nova Scotia Natural Resources Minister and Chair of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, Tim A.Olive". Some of these issues included a joint initiative called Forest 2020, Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management, the development of a new National Forest Strategy and a plan to revamp the national forest fire infrastructure.

The Ministers agreed to support the concept of a new joint initiative called Forest 2020. Ministers agreed to promote this initiative with their constituencies. Forest 2020 calls for innovation and investments in fast growing high yield tree plantations and intensive silviculture, that would significantly boost the country's supply of wood fibre, while contributing to forest ecosystem conservation as well as greater community sustainability, grounded in the wise use of all forest resources.

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal Minister of Natural Resources Canada added from Ottawa that, "With this support of the concept by the Provinces and Territories, I will engage my federal colleagues in providing necessary federal support for an initial investment that will enable Forest 2020 to unfold."

"Forest 2020 calls for deploying Canada's advanced scientific knowledge to derive the complete range of economic, environmental and social benefits that can be generated by sustainable forest management, and that people now expect," said CCFM Chair Tim Olive. "Forest 2020 will reaffirm Canada`s leadership role as a world leader in forest stewardship."

Ministers reviewed the progress and reaffirmed their commitment to the CCFM criteria and indicators framework. This framework is a measure of the sustainability of our forests necessary to ensure the quality of life for all who depend on them.

The Ministers committed to move forward on the direction of the Strategic Plan for the Renewal of the Canadian Forest Fire infrastructure. In that regard, a committee of ministers from Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Québec, Saskatchewan, and Alberta has been struck to advance the plan along with their federal counterparts.

Ministers reviewed the progress of the National Forest Strategy Coalition towards the development of a new National Forest Strategy. Ministers were invited to play an active role in building the new strategy through a series of cross-country consultations to be held in the coming weeks. The new National Forest Strategy will be released at the National Forest Congress to be held in Ottawa in May 1-2, 2003.

The Canada's Forest Biodiversity report was also tabled by the federal government. It describes how the forest community in Canada is meeting its commitments on biodiversity.

Ministers discussed the progress towards the XII World Forestry Congress to be held in Québec City, September 21-28, 2003. CCFM Ministers were invited to play an active role at the Congress and showcase their sustainable forest management practices.

The Ministers acknowledge good progress on the further development of a National Forest Information System (NFIS) over the last year. Highlights include expanded integration among jurisdictions and forthcoming operational implementation.

Ministers also acknowledge the value of the First Nations Forestry Program and urge the federal government to consider its continuation beyond 2002.

Natural Resources Canada Minister Herb Dhaliwal, accepted to chair the CCFM for the coming year. In accepting the chair, he noted that "The initiatives of the CCFM are important to address national and international forest issues. The CCFM is a unique platform to share federal, provincial and territorial views and meet common goals to address the challenges of sustainable forest management."

For further information, contact:

                                               

Sylvain Caron            Canadian Forest Service            Natural Resources Canada            Tel: (613) 947-0910            Fax: (613) 947-9038            E-mail: scaron@nrcan.gc.ca

Anne Perigo            Nova Scotia Department of            Natural Resources            Tel: (902) 424-2354            Fax: (902) 424-7735            E-mail: perigoa@gov.ns.ca