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Forest industry applauds Standing Committee report on renewal of sector

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) says the recommendations by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources on transforming the forest sector will help the industry reach its goals for growth and innovation.

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) says the recommendations by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources on transforming the forest sector will help the industry reach its goals for growth and innovation.

“Canada is a world leader in forest sustainability and we want to leverage that advantage in the international marketplace”, says David Lindsay, president and CEO of FPAC.  “We are pleased that the committee recognizes the importance of informing customers about our impressive environmental credentials.”

FPAC also embraces other recommendations contained in the committee report: that the federal government base its approach to species at risk on science; that national building codes be updated to facilitate the increased use of wood and that the government work with provinces, municipalities, First Nations and others to promote business development and skills training.

Specifically, the recommendations contained in the June 2015 report, “The Transformation of Canada’s Forest Sector”, by the Standing Committee on Natural Resources are:

1. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to provide leadership to the forest sector by making strategic investments that promote research and development of innovative technologies, product commercialization, and market and export diversification.

2. The Committee recommends that, in relation to the forest sector, the Government of Canada’s approach to species at risk continue to be based on science.

3. The Committee recommends that national building codes continue to be reviewed and updated in light of new technology and building techniques in order to facilitate the increased use of wood.

4. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to pursue opportunities that diversify forest sector markets by promoting trade through the finalization of free trade agreements.

5. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to work with provinces and territories, local communities, First Nations and industry stakeholders to promote business development, skills training, and capacity building that meet the needs of Canada’s forest sector.

6. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to work with the industry to defend and promote the sector’s environmental record and promote the fact that Canada is a world leader in forest sustainability.

7. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to take an active role in combatting the spruce budworm and other forest pests which negatively affect the health of Canadian forests.

“Taken together, we applaud the committee for recommendations that will help our industry on its journey of transformation. The report recognizes that the forest sector can’t do it alone but needs to build on its partnerships with governments and others,” says Lindsay. “Together we need to develop new products and markets, build on our world-leading environmental reputation and attract a modern and diverse employee base.”

Lindsay is also pleased that the committee report noted the FPAC call for better transportation infrastructure, especially rail.

FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs.

The full report of the Standing Committee can be viewed here. http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/Committee/412/RNNR/Reports/RP8046840/412_RNNR_Rpt13_PDF/412_RNNR_Rpt13-e.pdf