Ian Lee

…Early in Canada’s evolution, forestry and lumber products became a very important export. …But some hard data is necessary to illuminate the continued importance of the [forest sector] to Canada today. …when we examine empirical, evidence-based data from Statistics Canada and Natural Resources Canada, we learn that approximately only 0.2 per cent of Canada’s forests are being harvested. …And Canadian law requires that every tree that is harvested must be replaced. …In addition to this, a very small amount—less than half of one per cent of Canada’s forests—are being deforested for non-forest use. …Privileged urbanites living in prosperous neighbourhoods, far removed in distance from and understanding of the forestry industry, must become mindful of demanding—ironically—unsustainable forestry practices far in excess of the very high sustainable forestry standards that have been adopted in Canada, as this could render forestry harvesting unsustainable in Canada.