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Diverse groups with different perspectives and objectives are working together on a made-in-Canada solution to the challenges facing their forest sector.
One certainty about the future of forestry in Canada is that Canadians–rural and city dwellers, Aboriginal peoples, forest industry workers and conservationists–will demand and receive an ever greater say in how these vital resources are managed. More than 90 percent of Canada's forests are public property (71 percent provincial; 23 percent federal) giving governments ultimate responsibility for most forestlands. In practice, the management of federal land that is located north of the sixtieth parallel has been devolved to the territories, and the planning and management of timber resources in most jurisdictions is largely delegated to forest companies operating under licence or agreement.
Public dissatisfaction with this arrangement has grown steadily over the past 20 years. In response to widespread concern about certain forestry activities, clearcutting for example, most provinces and territories now provide opportunities for members of the public to be involved in planning how forests are managed. This ensures that all interested parties know the issues and are familiar with the positions of other parties to the negotiations. More importantly, it means that future conflicts will be resolved at the planning stage, putting an end to the "war in the woods" confrontations of the past.
Clearly, the "public" does not speak with one voice. On the one hand, there are those who live in or near the forests, have forest-related jobs, trap, hunt, fish or pick mushrooms and berries in the forest, or use the forest for other recreational pursuits. Then there are urban dwellers, the majority of Canada's population, concerned about the future of the forests but often not well informed about the economic and social impact of forestry activities or about issues such as the consequences of natural events and human activities. Canadians need access to accurate, comprehensive and balanced information if they are to have a meaningful role in planning the future of our forests.
Public participation has come a long way in the past couple of decades thanks to major national consensus-based instruments like the National Forest Strategy and the Canada Forest Accord. But many forest stakeholders still see a need for increased public participation. What's more, they want this input to be a real influence on outcomes, not just an obstacle to be overcome before industry and government go about their business.
Perhaps the best illustration of the growing trend toward dialogue and partnership at all levels is the role now being played by Canada's Aboriginal and local communities in shaping the forest agenda. About 80 percent of Canada's Aboriginal peoples live in forest communities, and their rights, values and traditions are integral to forest decision making.
Aboriginal land claims and treaty rights will have a major impact on Canada's forests in the years ahead, particularly where claimants are granted exclusive control of the land. The use of these forests could change; they could even be removed from the commercial inventory, with as yet unknown implications for planning, forest use, tenure agreements and commercial wood supply.
Although the idea of incorporating Aboriginal perspectives in decision making only gained international recognition at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the concept of managing forests for cultural, spiritual and economic values and opportunities was already embedded in Canada's National Forest Strategy.