BETWEEN:

The Department of Natural Resources, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre (hereinafter referred to as CFS); and,

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (hereinafter referred to as OMNR)

1.0 Preamble

In January, 1995 the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) endorsed a "Framework for Federal-Provincial/Territorial Cooperation in Forestry" (CCFM Framework), which outlined the importance of forestry to the Canadian, Provincial, and Territorial economies and to the environment and society in general. Furthermore, the CCFM Framework recognized the provincial governments' exclusive responsibility for forest resources on provincial crown lands; the federal government's responsibilities for international relations and trade, federal and Aboriginal lands; and the shared responsibilities of both levels of government in the areas of science and technology, industrial and regional development, and the environment. The framework states "While each government has its own responsibilities, their common interests are better met through federal-provincial / territorial cooperation".

The CCFM Framework also recognizes the long tradition of cooperation between the federal and provincial governments and outlines objectives, principles, and priorities for cooperation into the future: International Affairs and Trade; Science and Technology; National Coordination; Regional Development; Aboriginal Forests; and, Other Areas, as appropriate.

This Memorandum of Understanding builds upon the CCFM Framework by establishing a mechanism to enable the CFS and the OMNR to move forward and address the challenges of sustainable forest management in a manner which uses resources and knowledge effectively and efficiently and to ensure that Ontario's forests continue to contribute to the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of Canadians.

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to enable enhanced cooperation between the CFS and the OMNR on matters identified as joint forest related priorities.

3.0 Objectives

The objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding are to:

a) establish a coordinating mechanism to enable enhanced cooperation and coordination between CFS and the OMNR;

b) facilitate the identification of priorities for cooperation and the development of cooperative initiatives; and

c) develop collaborative arrangements between the CFS and the OMNR with regard to those priorities.

4.0 Mandate

Under the MOU, the CFS and the OMNR will work together to:

a) seek opportunities to more efficiently use resources available to the two organizations;

b) complement efforts and recognize and make best use of the core competencies of the organizations;

c) identify and address gaps in policy, science and/or forestry initiatives and facilitate action to address such gaps through cooperation in planning and implementation;

d) encourage collaboration with industry, Aboriginal people, academia, government agencies, and other organizations with an interest in forestry to address joint priorities; and,

e) improve the exchange / sharing of data, information and knowledge between the two organizations and the transfer of knowledge and information to clients and collaborators.

5.0 Priorities for Cooperation which will be primarily addressed at the National Level

The following priorities are identified in the CCFM framework. Specific opportunities to cooperate on these priorities will primarily occur at the national level and through established CCFM and Federal / Provincial / Territorial working arrangements.

5.1 International Affairs and Trade

While the federal government has jurisdiction over international affairs and trade, it is essential that Canada consult the provinces / territories on matters that touch on their responsibilities for forest management.

Existing initiatives include a Federal / Provincial / Territorial Committee of Assistant Deputy Ministers on International Forestry Issues, which reports to the federal government, the International Forest Partnerships Program (IFPP) under CCFM, and the ad hoc CCFM working group on an International Forest Convention.

At the provincial level, initiatives pursuant to this MOU might include cooperation on receiving international delegates, demonstration of forest management practices and S & T initiatives, and marketing of forest science, policy and planning tools to interested international clients.

5.2 National Coordination

Successful coordination is ongoing at the national level and CCFM will continue to be the national forum for coordinating initiatives of common interest or having national objectives.

Existing initiatives include the Criteria and Indicators Task Force, the National Forest Database Program, the National Forest Strategy and its renewal, as well as support for national industrial research (i.e., FERIC and FORINTEK) and forest fire protection institutions. Continual efforts are being made to enhance the type and quality of forest statistics and information on forests and forestry activities to meet national and international objectives.

At the provincial level, initiatives may focus on identification of opportunities to enhance forest statistics at the provincial and national levels and to market information management tools.

6.0 Priorities for Cooperation at the Provincial level

The following have been identified as priorities in the CCFM Framework. To maximize success, these are best dealt with at the provincial level with links to the national level, through Science Networks, the CCFM and other federal / provincial coordinating structures.

6.1 Science and Technology

Forest science and technology initiatives are needed to support the advancement of sustainable development of forests in all regions of Canada, and to strengthen coordination in setting research priorities, increasing cooperative research and transfer of knowledge to clients.

Current coordinating initiatives at the national level include the CCFM S&T Working Group, whose chair sits on the National Advisory Board on Forest Research (NABFOR). NABFOR, which includes representatives from Ontario, is designed to report on needs, opportunities and priorities for forest research and related S&T issues / opportunities in Canada.

Opportunities to pursue under this MOU with regard to forest science and technology in Ontario will focus on creating stronger linkages between the OMNR and the CFS's ten National Science and Technology Networks, the identification of S&T priorities, and the creation of collaborative/cooperative working relationships to address priorities. Priorities for enhanced collaboration may include, but are not limited to:

• fire;
• forest health monitoring and prediction;
• criteria and indicators;
• ecosystem processes, in support of more accurate measures; and
• pest management.
  

Activities under this MOU may also include an examination of science needs, current strengths and opportunities to address gaps.

6.2 Regional Development

The history of federal-provincial agreements in the area of regional development has created effective cooperation between the CFS and the OMNR.

Forests remain an important contributor to economic development particularly in rural and aboriginal communities. The parties will need to cooperate in the planning and delivery of any future forest development initiative in the forest sector, or in ensuring that the sector benefits from whatever initiatives the two levels of government may develop.

Cooperation will focus on identifying opportunities for regional programs. It will also include liaison with federal and provincial regional development agencies to encourage forest related initiatives where appropriate.

6.3 Aboriginal Forestry

Both governments have an interest in cooperating to promote the participation of Aboriginal people in forestry. The First Nation Forestry Program being delivered by the CFS and the Department of Indian Affairs complements the OMNR objectives with regard to increasing the competency and capacity of Aboriginals in forest management.

An existing initiative of the CCFM is a working group on Aboriginal forest issues. This MOU will focus on increasing the information exchanged between the two levels of government on Aboriginal forestry projects, cooperation on projects designed to enhance the competency and the technical capacity of Aboriginal people to participate in forestry and the identification of emerging opportunities for enhanced participation of Aboriginal people in forestry.

6.4 Other areas as appropriate

The global economy and keen interest in Canada's participation in an International Forest Convention will continue to create new challenges for Ontario's forest sector, for science and technology, for sustainable forest management, and for rural communities. Issues such as climate change, biodiversity (protected species and spaces), and the requirement for adaptive management, among others, result in a continual need for the OMNR and the CFS to cooperatively identify ways and means of providing leadership for the Ontario forest sector on these new challenges.

This MOU will also focus on analysis of forest trends and emerging issues that have the potential to impact on forestry in Ontario. Cooperative initiatives will be developed to respond to these challenges, to illustrate leadership, and to ensure a strong base of information and knowledge for development of forest policy. The two Model Forests operating in Ontario provide an excellent focal point for continued cooperation on evolving issues.

7.0 MOU Coordination

An Executive Committee, consisting of the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Science and Information Resources, OMNR, and the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), CFS, is responsible for achieving the objectives of this MOU. The Executive Committee will report annually to the signatories of this MOU on progress and plans; seek guidance as required; and establish and provide direction to the Coordinating Committee.

The Coordinating Committee will:

a) be co-chaired by the ADM, Science and Information Resources, OMNR and the Director General, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, CFS;

b) be responsible to the Executive Committee;

c) consist of not more than eight members, three being appointed by each of the Co-chairs;

d) appoint a secretariat to consist of one representative of the CFS and one representative of the OMNR, to facilitate activity under the MOU;

e) establish working groups and/or subcommittees, as required, to action priorities, to facilitate increased cooperation and collaboration and to make recommendations to the Coordinating Committee on ways to improve the achievement of objectives under this MOU;

f) meet at least twice a year, to coincide with the approval of the plan for the coming year and the annual report for the previous year (June) and to review progress (February);

g) prepare a plan outlining priorities and recommended deliverables for the coming fiscal year by June; and

h) prepare a progress report on the past year including plans for the current fiscal year for the Executive Committee, by June 15th of each year.

8.0 Terms of the Memorandum of Understanding

8.1 Duration

This Memorandum will be in effect from the date of signature by both parties for a period of three years. The MOU may thereafter be renewed for periods of five years through an exchange of letters between the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources (Canada) and the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources (Ontario).

8.2 Amendment

This Agreement may be amended or supplemented, prior to the expiry date as may be mutually agreed upon by both parties.

8.3 Termination of Agreement

Either party may terminate this Agreement upon 90 days notice in writing to the other party.

8.4 Governance

If organizational changes to either party occur, initiatives pursuant to this MOU will be adjusted as appropriate.

9.0 General Conditions

It is further understood that:

9.1 the Federal Government retains its primary responsibilities for establishing National S&T priorities and to make final decisions on the size and focus of its S&T Networks and programs, and for establishing national programs related to First Nations and economic development;

9.2 the Government of Ontario retains its primary responsibility for establishing research priorities and programs in keeping with the needs of the province and to make final decisions on the size and focus of its forest programs;

9.3 nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as affecting any other collaborative agreement existing or entered into by either party; and,

9.4 nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as obligating the CFS or the OMNR to expend money, or as involving either party in any contract or other obligation for the future payment of money in excess of appropriations authorized by law and administratively allocated for this work.

APPROVALS

signed at Ottawa, Ontario on 18th day of December, 1997