Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM)

WINNIPEG – September 11, 2007 - To improve the long-term   health and sustainability of Canada’s forests and the forest sector, the   Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) approved a strategic plan today that   gives the CCFM more flexibility to identify and move quickly to address the key   issues facing the forest and forest sector. Forest ministers from across Canada   were in Winnipeg for their annual meeting as part of a series of meetings of   ministers responsible for natural resources and the environment.

The CCFM agreed that challenges such as controlling and addressing   the impacts of the mountain pine beetle infestation in western Canada and an   increasingly competitive global marketplace for forest products make the need   for coordination, collaboration and information exchange among governments   greater than ever.

Ministers discussed how forest management and forest products   contribute positively to addressing the challenges posed by climate change   through carbon sequestration and storage.

“The forest is a natural resource, and the forest industry is a   major contributor to the Canadian economy,” said the Honourable Stan Struthers,   Manitoba Minister of Conservation and outgoing Chair of the CCFM. “This   strategic plan will help us work together more effectively to address matters of   national concern, from forest sector transformation to managing and adapting to   the impacts of climate change.”

The Ministers also agreed to work on an expanded approach to help   address forest pest infestations through better detection and risk assessment.

“I’ve seen what the mountain pine beetle has done in my home   province of British Columbia, and our Government is taking immediate action to   help the affected communities recover from the infestation,” said the Honourable   Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. “I’m proud that Canada’s New   Government has further committed $12.5 million to develop a National Forest Pest   Strategy as part of the $127.5 million investment in a long term competitiveness   initiatives for the forest industry announced earlier this year. It is these   types of tangible actions that will help forest industries and communities   across Canada look forward to the future. ”

 The Ministers’ discussions also included a review of progress   toward a new Forest Strategy for Canada. The current Strategy runs until 2008,   and completing its successor was set as a top priority at the CCFM annual   meeting last year.

“The forest is important to Canadians in so many ways. Ensuring it   stays healthy, and finding the proper balance among the many ways we use the   forest is always going to be a challenge,” said the Honourable Donald   Arseneault, New Brunswick Minister of Natural Resources and incoming Chair of   the CCFM. “We are all encouraged by the interest that’s being generated by the   discussion paper we released in June. The advice and input of our stakeholders   is essential to the development of Canada's Forest Strategy for 2008 and   Beyond.”

The CCFM serves as a key instrument for assuring a collaborative   approach to forest health and management. In addition to Canada’s Forest   Strategy, the CCFM has been the driving force behind a number of major   initiatives, including the National Forest Information System, the National   Forest Inventory, the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy, and the Criteria and   Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management.

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For more information, media may contact

Charles McDougall
Press Secretary to Cabinet
Cabinet   Communications
Manitoba Government
Legislative Building
Tel: (204)   945-1494
Charles.McDougall@leg.gov.mb.ca

Alyson   Robb
Natural Resources   Canada 
Government of   Canada 
Tel: (613)   996-2007 
robb@nrcan.gc.ca

Claude Léger
CCFM Secretariat
Tel: (613) 947-9099
cleger@nrcan.gc.ca