Natural Resources committee  The federal government has started. The Canadian Forest Service, for example, has some kind of information, but to deeply dive to the level you're at is where forest inventory at the actor level is critical. Regarding some of our forest practices, Mr. Shields talked about wetlands.

Natural Resources committee  Yes.

Natural Resources committee  We had mill closures in B.C. this year because they didn't have enough wood supply because of the forest fires. It took about three months before they restarted. That's one of my concerns. I agree that in Quebec there is lots of biomass to make biofuels, but out west, because of those pine beetles and whatever, the wood supply is very tight.

Natural Resources committee  Well, you deserve it.

Natural Resources committee  Yes. Thank you very much. We're right now having some conversations with Natural Resources Canada's Minister Carr to create some kind of federal-provincial working group, as well as with indigenous peoples, environmental groups, and industry, to discuss what we call the “forest forward”.

Natural Resources committee  Yes.

Natural Resources committee  Yes, I don't disagree with what you're saying. I only had 10 minutes and I was trying to focus on certain things.

Natural Resources committee  I'll be honest with you: my background is on the mill side. I'm not the forest expert at FPAC, but I could get back to you. What I do know is it's the radar technology and the whole forest. We can really improve. We're not even close to the Scandinavians on that technology. Forest enhancement in terms of inventory, the wetlands, and the absorption of carbon is where we have room to grow in Canada.

Natural Resources committee  Yes. Thank you very much.

Natural Resources committee  That's exactly what I was mentioning about understanding climate change more. There has been some analysis from Natural Resources Canada that forest fires are increasing, and we need to be part of that solution while also respecting biodiversity in our forests. FireSmart communities are a very good example of forest management protecting communities while still taking care of biodiversity, but we need to learn from the pine beetle and the spruce budworm.

Natural Resources committee  I can start, and then I'll let Quebec answer, because I think there are different forest management plans across the country. You're right that the technology is there; however, we need to change. For example, there's a concept called “assisted migration”, through which we're planting trees from the northern U.S., Washington state, in Vancouver and southern B.C.

Natural Resources committee  Exactly.

Natural Resources committee  On building codes, we're on our way. That's a perfect example: continue to work on building codes to have tall wood buildings by 2020, and then all the appropriate standards that go with it. I do support some of my colleagues in Quebec about information sharing and making sure the architects are well aware so that they can build more there.

Natural Resources committee  That's a very good question. The issue is that we could make biofuel—and in certain places it's going to make total sense, as my colleagues in Quebec were talking about—but there are also some opportunities to make higher-end value, such as using it, if it's possible, to make wood flooring.

Natural Resources committee  The way I see it, based on residue, biofuels have lower margins, according...and then we're all saying we're counting on some kind of carbon pricing or carbon credits or something like that, but less capital investment would be needed to build it. A biofuel plant—and correct me if I'm wrong—when you're looking at it, I think you talked about a $100 million of investments in whatever.