Flying Finns
Interview with R. John Efford
Editor’s Note
R. John Efford
R. John Efford was appointed Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources in December 2003. He was also named Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador. He was first elected to the House of Commons as the Member for Bonavista-Trinity-Conception in the May 2002 by-election. He has also served on the standing committees on Canadian Heritage; Fisheries and Oceans; Aboriginal Affairs; Northern Development and Natural Resources; and Human Resources Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities. Mr. Efford entered politics in 1985 as a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador’s House of Assembly for the district of Port de Grave. While in Opposition he was a critic for the departments of Consumer Affairs, Public Works, Fisheries, Health and Social Services. After his re-election in the 1989 provincial election, he was appointed Minister of Social Services. Then, in 1993, he was appointed Minister of Works, Services and Transportation and, following his re-election in 1996, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, positions to which he was re-appointed following the 1999 election. Before entering politics, Mr. Efford established and ran several wholesale and retail businesses.
Mr. Efford, what do Canadians want from their forests?
Canadians want a healthy forest. They also want to live in communities with a healthy environment and a healthy economy. The forest provides economic, environmental and social benefits that are important to Canadians. The role of governments across Canada is to manage the forest, including urban forested areas, so that Canadians can enjoy all these benefits. As a world leader in sustainable forest management, Canada is able to do this and we will continue to refine our understanding and practice of this fundamental principle.
What does the phrase “sustainable forestry” mean to you?
In general terms, sustainable forestry, or sustainable forest management, means maintaining a sustainable level of harvest in forests. More specifically, the Government of Canada, along with the other members of the National Forest Strategy Coalition, refers to sustainable forestry as maintaining and enhancing the long-term health of Canada’s forest, for the benefit of all living things, and for the social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being of all Canadians now and in the future.
We can measure sustainable forest management by a set of indicators that define what “sustainable” is from environmental, social and economic perspectives. These definitions have been agreed upon by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, which represents the federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Does third-party forest certification have a future in Canada, and are publicly owned forests being certified as being sustainably managed?
First of all, it is important to state that 93% of Canadian forests are publicly owned. Second of all, Canadian forest companies operate in a highly regulated environment that is subject to regular scrutiny and audit. A recent study conducted at Yale University found that Canada’s forest regulatory regime compares with the most stringent in the world. Having said that, many of our companies are embracing certification as a way of verifying their forest management practices, and Canada supports certification as a vehicle for demonstrating sustainable forest management. According to the Canadian Sustainable Forestry Certification Coalition, as of June 2004, approximately 58 million hectares had been certified under one or more of the forest-specific certification systems available in Canada. This figure has more than tripled over the last two years, and the vast majority of this area is public land.
The Forest Products Association of Canada, an industry organization, has made certification of forestry a condition of its membership. This demonstrates broad industry commitment to sustainable forest management and to meeting consumer demand.
What can you tell our readers about Canada’s investments in forestry research as well as its investments in wood utilization research?
Canada invests in forestry research to advance our understanding and practice of sustainable forest management, so that our forests will be healthy and will continue to provide economic, environmental and social benefits for future generations of Canadians.
We also believe that research into wood utilization is important to the future of the forest and our economic prosperity. This research creates an environment where new technologies and new processes can be developed, and where the value-added manufacturing sector can grow. This in turn strengthens our economy — particularly in rural and resource-based communities.
Do you believe the majority of Canadians are supportive of timber harvesting in publicly owned forests, and if so, why?
Canadians, particularly in the West, continue to regard the natural resources sector overall (37%) as the number one contributor to the Canadian economy, over the manufacturing and service sectors (each seen by 28% of Canadians as number one).
Canadians appear to be more concerned with the way forests are managed than how they are used. According to surveys conducted in Alberta in 1999 and in Ontario in 2002, respondents were not opposed to using forests in different ways to add to the quality of human life. As already mentioned, 93% of our forestlands are public property, and a fair percentage of these are set aside for conservation purposes.
One sign of public support is the large number of organizations of all types that formed a coalition to develop and implement Canada’s National Forest Strategy. This coalition represents all levels of government, as well as forest industries, environmental groups, labour, Aboriginal peoples, research institutions, universities, practitioners and private woodlot owners. This strategy is meant to be implemented both in privately and publicly owned forests.
Needless to say, Canadians depend upon the range of economic benefits that our forests provide. The forest sector accounted for more than 11% of total Canadian exports last year. The forest and related economic activity are also part of our heritage, and continue to be the lifeblood of many communities across our country.
What do you perceive to be the most contentious forest related environmental issues?
While there are a number of contentious and challenging forest-related environmental issues, arguably the most challenging is climate change. We do not know exactly how this will affect forest health, although we do expect to see an increase in the rate and scope of disturbances such as fire and insect outbreaks. As forests shift and adjust to new climatic conditions, these disturbances may increase or happen in different forms. Adapting to climate change is a challenge that Canadians are coming to accept, and it is one that the entire world must accept.
Is there an overarching forest policy in Canada — one in which all of your forested provinces are heavily invested?
Canada was the first country in the world to develop a comprehensive, inclusive national forest strategy. Our current strategy, which will guide us through 2008, was developed through Canada-wide consultations by the National Forest Strategy Coalition.
A Sustainable Forest: The Canadian Commitment will ensure that our forest is managed sustainably and for multiple benefits by committing Canada’s broad forest community to some 47 specific priority actions. This is the fifth National Forest Strategy, and other nations and jurisdictions are now applying this model.
Are U.S. environmental groups exerting too much influence over forest policies in Canada?
Environmental groups from around the world are now liaising and partnering with each other, thus extending their reach over the whole planet, including Canada and the United States. These groups play an important role in policy development on an international scale. They remind us that forest ecosystems affect all nations and that we need to apply a more holistic approach to managing them. Canada’s National Forest Strategy reflects this approach. What is Canada’s role on the global forestry and wood processing stages?
Canada is a major player in meeting the world’s demand for wood fibre. We supply the international market with wood of the highest quality, produced in a sustainable manner. Having said that, we would like to see more secondary, value-added manufacturing of finished products take place in Canada. It would strengthen our economy, particularly in rural and forest-dependent communities.
How would you say Canada’s relationship with its forest products industry differs from the U.S. government relationship with its forest products industry?
It would not be appropriate to comment on the relationship between the U.S. government and its forest industry. However, the Government of Canada enjoys a healthy relationship with Canada’s forest industry.
The Government of Canada works in partnership with the forest industry to ensure that the industry remains competitive while at the same time respecting the principles of sustainable development. For example, we collaborate with the industry in areas such as pre-competitive research and development, sector innovation, market access and development, and skill development.
Another example is the creation of the Canadian Forest Innovation Council (CFIC), which was supported by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, an organization that includes the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of forestry. The CFIC comprises forest research organizations from industry, government and universities across the country. Its mandate is to maximize the innovative capacity of the Canadian forest sector to promote industry profitability, environmental quality and community stability.
What is your vision of the future of forests and forestry in Canada?
The vision of the Government of Canada is of a healthy forest and a strong forest economy. To this end, we will continue to invest in research and development so that we can provide forest managers with the tools necessary to support these objectives. We also want to provide Canadians with as much information as we can so that together we can make wise choices for our future.
Canada’s collective vision of the future of forests can be found in the National Forest Strategy. It is an action plan that is based on consensus, and advances the principles of sustainable forest management so that our forests continue to provide social, environmental and economic benefits for future generations of Canadians. [See Canada’s National Forest Strategy at http://nfsc.forest.ca/strategies/strategy5.html]
human need to use natural resources is fundamental to our continued presence on earth."