Boreal forest - Quebec and Ontario elected municipal officials and forest industry representatives form a united front to better promote sustainable forestry practices

OTTAWA, May 27, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - In an unprecedented move, elected municipal officials and forest industry representatives from Quebec and Ontario met in Ottawa today to ask the various levels of government to step up their efforts to promote the sustainable forestry practices of Quebec, Ontario, and Canada on the international scene.

At a press conference, Jean-Pierre Boivin, representative of Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM), prefect of the Maria-Chapedelaine RCM, and president of Alliance forêt boréale; David Canfield, mayor of Kenora and president of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities; Jamie Lim, CEO of the Ontario Forest Industry Association (OFIA); and André Tremblay, CEO of the Quebec Forest Industry Council (QFIC) reiterated the important role of government in educating the world about the sustainable practices followed by Canada's innovative, wealth-creating forest industry.

"The sustainable use of forest resources is key to the way we use our lands and to the vitality of our communities in Quebec and Ontario. If our international customers stop buying products from the boreal forest based on misinformation, the thousands of workers in our municipalities who live off the forest will be the ones in danger," warned FQM director Jean-Pierre Boivin.

Kenora mayor David Canfield stated, "We look forward to working with all orders of government to set the record straight, reach out to customers of forest products sourced from Canada's boreal forest, and ensure these key customers from around the world continue to source their products from Ontario and Quebec with confidence."

With their first-hand knowledge of the practices followed by boreal logging companies, the mayors aim to provide a measured response to the campaign led by environmental activists who are unduly undermining economic vitality and jobs in their community. The mayors are appealing to the various levels of government to intervene to ensure that industrial activity in the boreal forest will be assessed based solely on the facts going forward.

An industry driven by sustainability

QFIC and OFIA representatives noted that the industry follows some of the most stringent forest practices, carries out its activities sustainably and responsibly, and provides quality jobs to thousands of workers in Quebec and Ontario, generating significant economic spinoffs in a number of regions and communities.

"With more than 150,000 direct and indirect jobs and $15.8 billion in revenue annually, the forest industry is the main economic engine in many of Quebec's regions. The federal and provincial governments must support us and take firm action to promote our good practices to counter disinformation campaigns aimed at major international customers before they cause irreparable damage to our communities," urged Mr. André Tremblay.

Ms. Jamie Lim added, "'Ontario's forest product sector is the province's second largest industrial sector, generating $11 billion in revenue and supporting 170,000 jobs. This is a significant return when you consider that only 0.5% of Ontario's renewable forests are sustainably harvested each year. Environmental groups like Greenpeace need to be held accountable for their misleading attack campaigns that damage the reputation of job creators and jeopardize the livelihood of hardworking citizens."

In connection with this morning's press conference in Ottawa, some 30 elected officials from Quebec and Ontario also came to meet with Denis Lebel, minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

About FQM
Since its founding in 1944, Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) has become the voice of Quebec's municipalities and regions. In its ongoing efforts to protect municipal autonomy, FQM plays up the importance of relationships between people and draws inspiration from the cooperative and innovative spirit of its 1,000-odd municipalities and RCM members.

About FONOM
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is the unified voice of Northeastern Ontario, representing and advocating on behalf of 110 cities, towns, and municipalities. Its mission is to improve the economic and social quality of life for all northerners and ensure the future of their youth. FONOM is an association made up of members from Northeastern Ontario.

About QFIC
The Quebec Forest Industry Council (QFIC) is the voice of Quebec's forest industry. QFIC numbers more than 160 regular members operating in the softwood and hardwood lumber, veneer, pulp, paper, cardboard, and panel sectors of Quebec, as well as 180 associate members. Each year these companies generate $15.8 billion in business and close to $4 billion in wages and benefits, of which nearly $1.5 billion is returned to governments in the form of taxes paid by companies and workers.

About OFIA
Ontario's renewable forest products sector supports over 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in over 260 Ontario communities. The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) comprises 32 member companies. OFIA believes that by working with government to address key competitive issues, secure long term access to affordable and accessible fibre, and promote the province's 21st century forest products sector, Ontario will be the number one jurisdiction in Canada for today's green and growing renewable sector.

SOURCE Fédération québécoise des municipalités

and interview requests: Marc-Antoine Fortin, Media Relations Manager, Fédération québécoise des municipalités, 418-651-3343, ext. 263, [email protected]; Mario St-Laurent, Director of Communications, Quebec Forest Industry Council, 418-559-8776, [email protected]; Christine Leduc, Ontario Forest Industries Association, Director of Policy & Communications, 416-368-6188, [email protected]