Press release - June 9, 2009
Greenpeace released a new vision for Canada’s Boreal forest today that will reinvigorate northern forest communities, improve the struggling forest economy and create new jobs while protecting the health and integrity of forests for future generations.
The document, Greenpeace's Vision for a New Conservation Based
Forest Economy in Canada's Boreal Forest, is an innovative look at
how forest communities, industry and environmental groups can work
together to protect forest integrity and help the forest sector,
whose troubles have driven northern communities to the brink of
collapse.
"Canada needs a new vision for its Boreal Forest and needs it
now," said Kim Fry, Greenpeace forest campaigner. "Ontario's forest
communities have been struggling since long before the current
economic crisis. Our vision shows how with the right political
leadership, forest industry initiative and community support, we
can act immediately to save our forests and strengthen our
economy."
The new Greenpeace vision comes after a week of mass
cross-country protests from Canada's forestry workers who demanded
provincial and federal action to stop the years of mill closures
and job losses. Through the vision, the forest industry and workers
would work together to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and most
importantly, forest sustainability.
Highlights of the vision include:
- Increased community control over surrounding forest areas,
- Strict adherence to Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC)
standards to ensure Industrial practices protect the fragile
biodiversity of Canada's Boreal Forest,
- Diversification of forestry products that reduces wasteful
production, and
- More community input and involvement in political policy for
the Boreal Forest.
"There is a real opportunity for forestry workers and
environmentalists to come together and build good, long-term,
sustainable jobs," said Fry. "With the right vision, political
leadership and resources, it is possible to build a sustainable
forest economy now so that our children inherit forests that are
healthy and intact in the future."
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For more information, please
contact:
Alex Paterson, Media & Public Relations Officer, (416)
524-8496
Kim Fry, Forest Campaigner, (647) 406-0664