At their annual meeting, the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers reconfirmed their commitment to lead the way to sustainable forest management, individually and through partnerships in Canada and in the international arena.
The CCFM agreed to lead the development of a successor to the National Forest Strategy which ends in March 1997. "Through the extensive networks and partnerships that we have in Canada and abroad, we will continue the important work undertaken under the present Strategy and move the yardsticks even further to the goal of sustainable forests", stated Minister Walter Bradley of Prince Edward Island and 1996 Chair of CCFM.
The new Strategy is expected to be released in the Autumn of 1997. It will be developed through consultations and be based on the results of the independent final evaluation of the present Strategy which ends next March. The government and non-government National Forest Strategy Coalition will assist the CCFM in this endeavour and the "Canada Forest Accord" will serve as the umbrella instrument. The Government of Quebec is not a signatory to the Accord but adheres to the goals and objectives of the Strategy. Quebec intends to continue this policy.
CCFM Ministers agreed to work more actively toward an international forest convention. In today's world, there is a need to work in a focused and dedicated manner to address the many problems and opportunities facing the global forest community. As such, the Council will actively work in the international arena toward the establishment of an international forest convention. The Federal Government agreed to continue to work with all provinces and territories in discussions and negotiations.
"It is the intent of Canada's forest community to work together," added the federal minister of Natural Resources Anne McLellan. "1997 is the year we must act decisively. To hesitate will result in missing an opportunity to send a clear message of our shared commitment to sustainable forest management worldwide and we will lose the momentum which we have been building over the last three years".
Ministers also agreed to release Canada's first report on criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management. Since last October's annual meeting when the Council released its "Canadian Framework of Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management", the CCFM has assessed data and research needs, looked at how to implement the criteria and indicators and is finalizing Canada's first report on criteria and indicators.
"The Canadian approach to criteria and indicators is providing us with a better means to define and measure sustainable forest management", stated Minister Bradley. "I am pleased, therefore, to announce that the CCFM will release shortly the first report on the Canadian Criteria and Indicators".
At their meeting, the forest ministers also discussed other topics such as climate change and Canadian forests, and federal/provincial/territorial cooperation in priority areas such as science and technology. Finally, CCFM will sponsor a Science and Technology Forum in early 1997. "This Forum will enable us to develop a strategic
agenda for forest science and technology in Canada", concluded incoming CCFM Chair, Honourable Beaton Tulk of Newfoundland and Labrador. "As the 21st century approaches, we need to strengthen the links between forest policy makers, researchers and resource managers".
For further information contact: André H. Rousseau, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Tel (613) 947-9087, Fax (613) 947-9038 or Ken Mayhew, Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Prince Edward Island, Tel (902) 368-6450, Fax (902) 368-4713