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2006

FPAC and CBI Issue Joint Statement Regarding Boreal Forest Conservation

September 27, 2006 - GATINEAU-OTTAWA

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI), today issued a joint statement regarding boreal forest conservation. This first ever statement of its kind is a commitment by both organizations to ensure planning for conservation of ecological and cultural values prior to new forest tenures in unallocated part of Canada's boreal forest. The statement recognizes the urgent challenges facing the boreal forest and some key elements of a path forward to a more sustainable future for ecological, economic and cultural sustainability. The agreement references the need for conservation planning, and scientific and traditional knowledge research as well as the respect for Aboriginal rights in resource development decisions.

"This agreement is particularly important for the future of the boreal as it highlights the shared belief that planning for conservation should occur before new forest tenures are allocated in Canada's boreal region," said Larry Innes, Interim Director of the CBI. "This agreement, which also recognizes that Aboriginal people must be consulted on decisions affecting their constitutional rights, is another step in a broader effort on the part of both our organizations to expand dialogue and work collaboratively to support the long-term sustainability of the boreal forest and the communities that depend on it."

"FPAC and its members have a strong and productive track record of working constructively with conservation groups, governments and others on projects related to advancing sustainable forest management and environmental stewardship, and we are committed to help shape a sustainable vision and reality for the boreal forest," said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO, FPAC. "FPAC and CBI share a strong belief in the need for conservation planning to guide development and in continual improvement in areas where we operate. Working in this fashion will help ensure the maintenance of our shared values."

Commenting on the agreement, Monte Hummel, President Emeritus of the World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) stated, "It is really important that FPAC is committing its members to the "conservation first" principle, i.e. to conservation planning in advance of new industrial development. This is a first for Canada, and we applaud them for it."

"Because of the tremendous value of Canada's boreal forest to the continent's waterfowl and the vast number of wetland complexes in Canada's North, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has been working with FPAC, CBI and others to gather new science around wetlands, water and watershed health to advance conservation planning and best management practices across the Western boreal forest," said Gary Stewart, Ducks Unlimited Canada. "I believe that this latest announcement is another great example of FPAC's leadership in boreal conservation."

About CBI
Working independently with a wide range of conservation organizations, First Nations, industry and other interested parties, the CBI links science, policy and conservation activities in Canada's boreal region, and supports on-the-ground boreal conservation work. Since being established in January 2003, the CBI has been instrumental in generating constructive discussion about the management of Canada's boreal region. For more information visit: www.borealcanada.ca

About FPAC
FPAC is the voice of Canada's wood, pulp and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade and environmental affairs. Canada's forest industry represents 3% of Canada's GDP and exports over $40 billion of wood, pulp and paper annually. The industry is one of Canada's largest employers, operating in hundreds of Canadian communities and providing nearly 900,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country. For more information visit: www.fpac.ca.

A copy of the FPAC-CBI Joint Statement is attached.

Related Backgrounders

• Boreal Forest Conservation Issues: Joint statement about Canada's boreal region (PDF - 136KB)

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For more information:
Isabelle Des Chênes
Director, Communications
Forest Products Association of Canada
(613) 563-1441 ext: 323
ideschenes@fpac.ca

Katherine Lim
Canadian Boreal Initiative
(613) 230-4739 ext. 228