A Network of Centres of Excellence is changing how forest science is done across the country

Ottawa, June 20, 2006 – The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Networks of Centres of Excellence, announced today a $3.3 million investment over three years in leading-edge sustainable forest management projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick. The Minister also announced a continued investment of $1.2 million in Quebec research projects for the next three years.

“With this investment, we are improving productivity and competitiveness for the forest sector,” said Minister Bernier. “We are also safeguarding the way of life of forest-dependent communities and preserving the environment. This is good news for millions of Canadians who depend on the forest for their livelihood and quality of life.”

The announcement coincides with the opening of the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Network's fourth scientific conference, being held at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton. More than 300 participants, representing the forest industry, provincial governments, First Nations, and non-government organizations, as well as forest practitioners and researchers from Canada and abroad are expected to attend the conference. They will be discussing the latest developments in integrated land management, evolution of sustainable forest-dependent communities, water-management strategies, public participation in planning processes, natural disturbance management and emulation, climate change adaptation, and tenure reform.

“The latest advances achieved by the Sustainable Forest Management Network's researchers and their industry, government, and non-government partners have already begun to change how forest science is done across the country, and are influencing new government policies and industry practices,” said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, Chair of the Networks of Centres of Excellence and President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.

“The results of our research and our interactions with partners are showing that forest management cannot be sustainable if we look only at the forest and the forest sector. Across the country, the activities of many other industries such as oil and gas, hydro, mining, tourism, and agriculture intersect with managing the forest for the many values it provides society. We are working to find policies and practices that consider all of the activities that impact the forested landscape,” Network Scientific Director Dr. Jim Fyles stated.

Examples of the projects supported are given in the backgrounder. In addition to the Government of Canada's support, academic, industry and non-government partners contribute about $2 million in cash and in-kind every year to the Sustainable Forest Management Network's activities.

The Sustainable Forest Management Network facilitates applied research partnerships among 32 industry, government, Aboriginal, and non-government partners in supporting the work of more than 190 researchers.

Networks of Centres of Excellence are an initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Industry Canada.

The complete list of projects supported by the Sustainable Forest Management Network is posted at www.sfmnetwork.ca.

The Networks of Centres of Excellence success stories are available at www.nce.gc.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Isabelle Fontaine
Office of the Honourable Maxime Bernier
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502

Marvin Abugov
Communications Manager
Sustainable Forest Management Network
Edmonton
(780) 492-2492

Marie-Reine Cluniat
Communications Manager
Networks of Centres of Excellence
Ottawa
(613) 996-0390