Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank all the witnesses who are participating in this evening's meeting.
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to all the workers in the forestry sector. Wood, and pulp and paper are sustainable products compared to other products, such as plastics. Thank you very much for your conscientious work, for your efforts in tree planting and reforestation, and for your contribution to the Canadian economy.
For what it's worth, you seem stressed, and I just want to express my sympathy with you, because this seems like a very emotional and stressful time for your families. You're working hard to provide for your families and contribute to the Canadian economy, and I want to acknowledge that.
My question is for Monsieur Jetté. It's about the future of forestry in Canada and about our ability and, frankly, obligation to ensure that there is one. We have to ensure that there is a future economy of forestry in Canada because we rely on it. We rely on the products, and we rely on the contributions to the economy. Workers rely on the money they make to provide for their families.
From my perspective.... We built a deck this summer out of wood. That wood was harvested in Canada. We need to ensure that we have a sustainable lumber and pulp and paper economy in Canada. That includes making sure that our commitments for biodiversity are also respected.
The term “balance” has come up a few times in this committee. We've had workers, industry representatives and scientists come and express varying degrees of urgency with respect to the population of caribou and also for the industry itself.
From your position, Monsieur Jetté, where do we find a balance for Canadian workers, for the Canadian economy and for the future of the forestry industry, which needs to protect the whole forest and not just the woods?