Debates of Dec. 3rd, 1996

Criminal Code

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[An hon. member]

No.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken)]

There is not unanimous consent.

The time provided for the consideration of Private Members' Business has now expired and the order is dropped from the Order Paper.

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.

[George S. Rideout, Liberal, Moncton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak for a moment or two about a question which I asked the Minister of Natural Resources on November 6. It concerns forestry practices and the issue of forest certification.

At first blush, I am sure members would think this is not that important an issue. However, as we look at our history and our country we realize that Canada is a forest nation. We possess over 10 per cent of the world's forests, forests which provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, forests that are places for citizens of Canada to visit in their leisure time and forests that are important parts of our social and cultural history. For many people, forests are synonymous with Canada.

On the economic side, the Canadian forest industry is one of Canada's largest and, accordingly, most important industries. It provides for one in fifteen jobs. It produces exports which are by far the single largest contributor to Canada's positive trade balance.

Forests and forest industries are found in every province and are critically important to every Canadian. Sometimes we do not stop to think about it but even as we look around the Chamber, the contribution that the forestry industry makes to the beauty and enhancement of this Chamber becomes evident.

As a trading nation, we need access to foreign markets. In the world we live in we also need to demonstrate to our customers that we are good custodians of our forests.

The question of sustainable forest management is paramount to Canadian interests. Our ability to manage our forests in a sustainable manner for all of their benefits is important for every Canadian. I know that provinces are continually reviewing and upgrading their forest policies to achieve sustainable forestry and it is ultimately their responsibility under the British North America Act to manage the forests because they are a provincial responsibil-

ity. I also know that Canadian industry has made great strides in improving the standards of forest management in Canada.

I would like to ask the minister, through the parliamentary secretary, why it is that Canada continues to be criticized for its forest management practices. I understand that the Canadian forest industry has been active in developing a standard for certification of Canadian forest practices. What will the impact of forest certification be on the sustainable forest management in Canada? Will certification move Canada toward achieving sustainable forestry and will it help the Canadian forest industry to be more competitive in world markets?

[Marlene Cowling, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, the question of sustainable forest management is one of the most important challenges facing Canadians.

It is fair to say that people from around the world are asking that the global forest be managed in such a way that the whole array of social, economic and environmental values associated with forests are protected. In Canada this is a major priority for governments, industry and our citizens.

At a recent meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, we confirmed again our commitment to sustainable forest management. Ministers agreed to adopt a Canadian criteria and indicators as a means to monitor sustainable forestry. We agreed that the national forest strategy be renewed.

At the international level, we have been working hard to ensure that the principles of sustainable forestry are promoted in the discussions on global forests. Recognizing the need to manage forests on a sustainable basis, the Canadian forestry industry has also been promoting sustainable forest management through the development by the Canadian Standards Association of a sustainable forest management standard. This standard has been approved by the Standards Council of Canada. It is now available to Canadian companies that wish to seek certification that they have a process to ensure sustainable forest management.

They have taken the initiative outside of government to promote sustainable forest management. Forest certification provides a transparent, scientifically based and inclusive approach for industry to demonstrate its commitment to and practice of sustainable forestry.

The Canadian industry is a world leader in this regard. It has led an international industrial group in approaching the International Standards Organization, seeking access for companies who wish to be certified under the environmental management standard provision of the ISO. This is an additional step toward a better standard of forestry in Canada, increasing the confidence that Canadians have in the industry's ability to manage the forests and help to ensure access for Canadian forest products in world markets, products which are made from wood from sustainably managed Canadian forests.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken)]

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted.

Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. tomorrow, pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6.54 p.m.)