FSC Canada responds to Quebec Forest Industry Council’s Premature Concerns

Press Release

On October 28th 2015, the Quebec Forest Industry Council (QFIC) sent a letter to FSC Canada with their concerns regarding FSC’s global initiative to protect Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL). In a letter to the CIFQ, FSC Canada acknowledges the QFIC’s concerns, but considers them a bit premature as the impact of IFL protection has not been assessed in Canada.

November 13th 2015

Dear Mr. André Tremblay,

On October 28th, I received your letter detailing the concerns of the members of your Association regarding Resolution 65 adopted by FSC International on Intact Forest Landscapes, especially relating to its impact on the safeguard of the wood supply to the Quebec forest industry.

At the outset, I would like to clarify FSC’s sensitivity to the importance of adequate access to the wood supply, essential to assure long-term sustainability and viable economic conditions for the forest industry. We have a common preoccupation in maintaining viable communities and jobs dependent of, and central to the Quebec forest industry.

While we acknowledge the elements enumerated in your letter describing the loss of supply in wood that Quebec has experienced over the last decade, the closing of mills in Quebec is not only caused by these losses in supply. The economic situation, notably the American recession in 2007, has also contributed to this phenomenon. Despite the fall in volume observed in the last few years, certain allocations of wood supply have not been harvested in their entirety. It is imperative to recognize that FSC has nothing to do with this evolving situation over the last decade.

However, we are surprised by the timing of your letter at this point in time. There is certainly no urgency or immediate threat in the application of Resolution 65 on Intact Forest Landscapes in Quebec. Since last year, FSC Canada has put in place and started applying a robust process in order to establish pragmatic and well-balanced solutions to the application of this resolution in Canada, from coast to coast.

Many steps have been accomplished, such as:

Research within the scientific literature.
Technical expert panel in Canada.
Analysis of the gap with current requirements of the Standard (caribou, high conservation values (HVC), protected areas, etc).
Continuous discussions with various groups and organizations.
International discussions alongside other countries with as much Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs)
International group work on the HVC, including IFLs – Canada is represented in the group.
Directed discussion last May with designated representatives of all four chambers.
Information meeting to present the progress report and small group discussions on key questions (November).

And many more steps to come:

30-day consultation on a document enclosing key questions.
International summit in Bonn during the week of November 30th on the IFLs.
Discussion workshop and substantive debate in February 2016.
Case studies conducted in various Canadian provinces, and impact-evaluation.

At the end of this coming November, FSC Canada will publish the first long-awaited draft of the new National Forest Management Standard, closely followed by an information document explaining the Intact Forest Landscape concept. After a consultation period, the concept will be integrated in the second draft of the Standard, in Spring 2016. The second draft will be subject to another consultation period. It is FSC Canada’s intention to finalize the new Standard by the end of 2016.

FSC certification does not benefit from requirements that make the forest industry disappear. FSC certification exists in order to produce forest products in a responsible manner, but it needs to be feasible. If this were not the case, there would be no certification and the objectives would never be met.

For more than 20 years, FSC has built an international standard of voluntary certification, constituting the only credible and globally renowned standard in the industry, currently operating in more than 80 countries. With its 800 members, its 30 000 certificate holders and its 183 million hectares of certified forests, it is easy to understand why, on the international scale, it is the only standard around which there is democratic consensus within civil society between the industrial sector, consumers, unions, local communities, aboriginal communities and environmental groups.

With 80% of its forest territory under FSC Standard management process, Quebec demonstrates its ability to meet these Standards. We remain convinced that FSC is an essential asset for the forest industry in Quebec. It displays credibility via an independent third-party in order to access a continually demanding and challenging market. It is becoming increasingly difficult to set ourselves apart from the international competition, and FSC certification offers an essential competitive advantage.

FSC is part of the solution for the future of the forest industry in Quebec, to ensure sustainable jobs in the long term.

IBF4