{"id":3740,"date":"2018-07-26T15:05:42","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T19:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/?p=3740"},"modified":"2025-07-02T04:21:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T08:21:19","slug":"quebec-government-to-create-more-artificial-forests-at-the-detriment-of-protected-areas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/en\/press-release\/3740\/quebec-government-to-create-more-artificial-forests-at-the-detriment-of-protected-areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Qu\u00e9bec Government to create more artificial forests at the detriment of protected areas"},"content":{"rendered":"

July 26, 2018 (VAL D\u2019OR & MONTR\u00c9AL) \u2013 <\/strong> Three environmental NGOs ring the alarm today with regards to the Wood Production Strategy to drastically increase the quantity of wood produced in Qu\u00e9bec, hence assigning a quarter of the managed public forests to a forest intensification regime for timber production (*AIPL). Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 pour la nature et les parcs (CPAWS\/SNAP Qu\u00e9bec), l\u2019Action Bor\u00e9ale and Greenpeace Canada jointly raise a flag on this topic since the provincial government launched in june its under-the-radar online public Consultation on the Consultation on the Qu\u00e9bec Wood Production Strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lack of balance between the forests quantified to maximise wood production versus those to be protected. The three organisations highlight that only 10% of Quebec\u2019s in-land territories are protected.<\/p>\n

Poorly Managed Process<\/strong><\/p>\n

The decision leading to assigning 25% of territories for intensified timber production areas (AIPL*) reflects poor management and and absent regulations.<\/p>\n

\u201cDesigning intensified timber production areas is a clear shift in prioritization which needs precisions in the implementation process, the parties at risk and the proportions of the forest areas which will be transformed. When it takes years to protect an area, it should take as long to put in place rigourous rules to oversee the creation of new intensified timber production areas.\u201d explains Pier-Olivier Boudreault, conservation biologist at SNAP Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n

The groups consider that creating intensified timber production areas should follow the same process of the creation of protected areas, which included consulting with First Nations, a public consultation by the BAPE<\/a>, an oversight by the Ministry of the Environment in addition to an exhaustive analysis auditing all the elements which are affected in the targeted areas.<\/p>\n

Profitability<\/strong><\/p>\n

AIPL entails extensive planting or treatments in order to maximise the growth and thus the production of wood over decades. These measures imply massive investments by the Quebec government, and by consequence taxpayers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe government seems to be content with selling our public forests without putting up front the cost-efficiency nor the economic profitability of such a move, let alone the return on investment of its regular operations. If intensified timber production areas are further created as proposed, this would fail to respond to a growing worldwide market demand for eco-friendly forest products, which basically ensure biodiversity; not to mention that this decision also omits to consult First Nations.\u201d adds Olivier Kolmel, Forest campaigner for Greenpeace Canada.<\/p>\n

The Qu\u00e9bec Wood Production Strategy must focus on the diversification of its economic offer in terms of forest products while helping develop local demand for Quebec manufactured products.<\/p>\n

Consultation: Reviewing Methods<\/strong><\/p>\n

The consultation process is inadequate since it excludes specific indigenous peoples\u2019 consultations, and that is despite the existing Strat\u00e9gie d\u2019Am\u00e9nagement Durable des For\u00eats<\/i><\/a>**.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe MFFP<\/a> is taking advantage of the low profile summer season, with the elections approaching, to transform 25% of our public forests into territories that are solely dedicated to intensified timber production sculpting for 2×4 trees.This in no way helps us preserve biodiversity and decreases other potential forest goods, such as fishing,hunting, berry picking and sustenance needs for First Nations. So it is not surprising that the MFFP favors the production of timber over the need to protect larger chunks of our forests.\u201d points out Henri Jacob, president of l\u2019Action Bor\u00e9ale.<\/p>\n

The organisations intend to submit their comments to consultation which closes on August 6th, and invites the wider public to express their points of view too.<\/p>\n

\u2013 30 \u2013<\/p>\n

*In french, technical name is Aires d\u2019intensification de la production ligneuse (AIPL)
\n**Unavailable in english<\/p>\n

Notes to Editors:<\/p>\n