Parliamentary Secretary Kim Rudd, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today met with forest sector stakeholders and highlighted the Government’s support for growing and developing markets for Canada’s sustainably produced, high-quality forest products.
Parliamentary Secretary Rudd’s speech discussed five key areas for the transformation of Canada’s forest sector, including combatting climate change, promoting innovation and clean technology, supporting science, improving market access and enhancing engagement with Indigenous Peoples.
The Parliamentary Secretary also announced that the 2015 State of Canada’s Forest Report will be tabled in Parliament today. The 25th annual report outlines Canada’s accountability and transparency in reporting on its forests and highlights that Canada’s well-established and rigorous system of forest management is among the most comprehensive and stringent in the world.
“Our government has set some ambitious goals for climate change, market diversification, innovation and economic growth, and I believe the forest sector is uniquely positioned to help us deliver on these goals. The Government of Canada will continue to support Canada’s forest sector as it evolves to meet changing global demand by developing innovative, high-value forest products.” Stated Kim Rudd.
Quick Facts
- In 2014, Canada exported nearly $31 billion in forest products to nearly every nation on the planet, supporting approximately 290,000 direct and indirect jobs in Canada.
- Canada has 161 million hectares of forest land certified as being sustainably managed by one or more of three globally recognized certification systems — more than any country in the world.
- Less than 0.2 percent of Canada’s forests are harvested annually. Canada’s forest policies and regulations require that all forests harvested on Canada’s public land be successfully regenerated.
- The forest sector is the major source of income for almost one in seven communities across the country.
- There are 171 municipalities where more than 20 percent of the local residents rely on forestry for their income.