Proposal chiefly benefits…

Proposal chiefly benefits forest products industry #StandForForests

Canada “Big Picture”

The five countries with the largest forest areas are the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States and China. Jointly these countries account for more than half of the world’s forest area.

Canada is responsible for 10% of the world’s forests.

Ontario’s forests are 17% of Canada’s forest and 2% of the world’s forests.

Deforestation is progressing at a fast pace worldwide. Intensive forestry is a major factor in forest loss.
Canada's boreal forest is considered to be the largest intact forest on earth, with around three million square kilometres still undisturbed by roads, cities and industrial development.

To Canada’s credit, around 40% of Canada’s forests are enrolled in one of the three leading forest certification programs, which require sustainable management practices.

However, between 2000 and 2014, Canada was responsible for the greatest total loss, acreage-wise, of primary (untouched) forest in the world. This loss is due to the continued spread of road networks, logging, and mining activities. Over 20% of the world’s total loss of primary forests occurred in Canada.

These forests will grow back, but not as secondary forests. Wildlife necessitating large amounts of land (for example, woodland caribou and wolverines) will not come back, invasive species will follow the road networks, as will hunters, mining prospectors, and second-home developers. Perhaps less tangibly, but just as importantly, the unique character of the vast and wild boreal forest will be diminished.

The forest products industry was hard hit by a decrease in demand for lumber, paper and newsprint after the collapse of the U.S. housing market and due to the rise of online media.

Conclusion

It is admirable that the Government of Ontario is developing a strategy to help the forest products industry in an environmentally sustainable fashion. And the proposed Forest Sector Strategy quotes all the right buzz phrases: “respect indigenous rights and protect values”, “apply best research and science”, “respond to changing climate”, “improve collaboration in managing our forests”.

However, I have concerns.

First, the forest products industry is obviously the principal beneficiary of the strategy. The Government of Ontario plans significant financial investment, cost reductions and policy changes favouring industry first. First Nations appear to benefit as a secondary concern, and benefit to Ontarians as a whole are simply assumed.

Second, the strategy is based on approved forest management plans for Ontario’s Crown forests assumptions of sustainability at 30 million cubic metres of annual wood harvesting, which is not clearly defined or supported either in the short-term or the long-term.

Third, the strategy does not appear adaptive. The goal is to reach 30 million cubic metres of wood harvesting annually in 2030, and nothing is said about monitoring and adapting the strategy to national or global circumstance (global pressures from short-sighted governments (palm oil plantations in Indonesia), population increase, pollution levels, climate change adjustments (drought and fires in Australia and California), endangered species (existing & new) adjustments). It would make more sense that sustainability goals be monitored, analyzed and amended on a progressive basis rather than being fixed.

Fourth, the proposed Forest Sector Strategy does not address existing circumstances. For example, what steps will be taken to remedy and protect Grassy Narrows and Benny Forest from past and on-going clearcutting, and mercury and pesticide poisoning.

Fifth, the proposed Forest Sector Strategy does not commit to leaving any areas untouched as primary forest for future generations.

Sixth, conservation is the antithesis of this strategy.

Overall, I object to the way the proposed Forest Sector Strategy views Ontario’s forests chiefly as a resource for extraction rather than a significant part of the lungs of the planet, filtering system for clean water, habitat for wildlife, destination for recreation and tourism, and asset to be treasured for future generations.

As a Canadian, Resident and Taxpayer, I would like to see most of Canada’s boreal forest left intact. I am not opposed to careful management of the forest but I do object to the forest being established, managed and perceived as a farm.

I would like to see:
- Primary forest areas left untouched (i.e. Stay out of the old growth forests (Temagami))
- Protection of endangered species (i.e. Canada’s iconic woodland caribou)
- Commit to working with logging companies that are vetted and dedicated to sustainable harvesting
- “establish and strengthen partnerships with indigenous communities”
- “respect indigenous rights and protect values”
- “Apply best research and science”
- “Respond to changing climate”
- “improve collaboration in managing our forests”
- Oversight and enforcement

I would also like to see hemp being explored as an innovative emerging industry and more sustainable source for tissue and other pulp products.

#ProtectOurWater #ProtectPrimeFarmland #FoodAndWaterFirst
#GrowOurGreenbelt #BlueBelt
#IdleNoMore
#StandForForests