NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 830-796/005

Canadian Council of Forest Ministers
Lac Delage, Quebec - September 19, 2003

CANADIAN COUNCIL OF FOREST MINISTERS ADDRESSES KEY FOREST ISSUES

LAC-DELAGE — September 19, 2003. Canada continues to advance sustainable forest policies and practices resource for future generations. The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM), assembled in Lac-Delage, Québec, today announced significant progress on key forest issues.

The Ministers gave their support for the establishment of the Canadian Forest Innovation Council (CFIC) whose mandate will be to ensure that the innovative capacity of the Canadian forest sector is maximized in a way that promotes industry profitability, environmental quality and community stability. Quebec has its own forest research council and will establish the necessary links with CFIC.

Ministers discussed key issues such as the protection of communities from wildfire and insect outbreaks, and charged a new working group with identifying risks, and mitigation options.
They also mandated a high level task force with collectively advancing the business case for the Strategic Plan for the Renewal of the National Forest Fire Program and related infrastructure, including upgrades to Canada’s aging air fleet.

Having adopted a more meaningful and practical set of criteria and indicators to assess sustainable forestry performance across Canada, Ministers agreed to extend the innovative National Forest Information System, and committed to the development of a national forest inventory. Together, these measures will lead to more meaningful and timely reporting on forestry.

The Ministers also discussed Forest 2020, an innovative investment and carbon sequestration program. In addition, Ministers endorsed the new Canada Forest Accord 2003, which symbolizes the firm resolve of Canada’s forest community to advance sustainable forestry throughout Canada and worldwide.

“The results of this meeting will allow us to continue to move forward on the key issues affecting Canada’s forests,” said the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, this year’s Chair of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers and Minister of Natural Resources Canada. “Canadians place great value on their forest and the Council is committed to ensuring responsible management, conserving our forest heritage and being accountable to the public.”

“Our deliberations were productive and forward-looking,” said the Honourable Archie Lang, incoming Chair of the CCFM for 2004 and Minister of the Yukon Department of Energy Mines and Resources. “We represent every federal, provincial and territorial government; we are all
committed to the sustainable management of our forest and the Council is an important and effective forum for these discussions.”

At the close of their meeting, the CCFM Ministers headed to the City of Québec where the XII^th World Forestry Congress is being held, September 21 – 28, 2003, under the theme ‘Forests, Source of Life’. Thousands coming from over 140 countries are gathering to share their knowledge and insights.

The Canadian Council of Ministers (CCFM) was established in 1985 to focus governments’ attention on forest issues. CCFM stimulates the development of policies and initiatives for strengthening the forest sector, including forest resources and their use and conservation. It provides leadership, addresses national and international issues and sets the overall direction for stewardship and sustainable management of Canada's forest.

Further information on the CCFM will be available at the World Forestry Congress in Québec City, and on the Internet at: www.ccfm.org

Alexandra Muir	Ghyslain Charron	Bonnie King
Director of Communications	Media Relations	Director of Communications
Office of the Minister	Natural Resources Canada	Energy, Mines and Resources Yukon
Natural Resources Canada	Ottawa	Whitehorse
Ottawa	(613) 992-4447	(867) 456-3812
(613) 947-8246

 

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