Region Archives: Canada East

QUEBEC — A Côte-Nord mayor heard by federal officials on a committee said Monday that a decree to protect caribou would be a “drama” for her community, while the chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador sees the measure as necessary to ensure the survival of endangered herds. …Lise Boulianne, mayor of Sacré-Coeur said the “development” of her community, which lies where the Saguenay and St. Lawrence rivers meet, “passes and will always pass through the forestry industry.” At her side, Steeve St-Gelais, president of Boisaco, said that 600 jobs would be lost with Ottawa’s proposed decree. …Quebec’s caribou population has been in decline for several years and the forestry industry is the main cause of the crisis. …Ghislain Picard, chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, stressed that his organization supports the federal government’s intention to impose a decree on Quebec to force the province to protect caribou.

Updated analysis reveals further details on how post-tropical storm Fiona affected Island forests. The Post-Fiona Forestry Update shows 9.4% of PEI forest was affected by the storm overall, referring to areas where greater than 70% of trees were blown down. Impacts in certain areas varied, with 23.3% of forest impacted along the north shore. “Our most recent State of the Forest Report was the first report to include information on forest carbon storage. This new research gathered after Fiona’s impact sheds new light on the storm’s effect on carbon sequestration. …Up-to-date research like this is crucial to understanding our current carbon budget so we can design forestry and net zero programs to reach our goals,” said Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers. …Currently, PEI’s forests absorb more carbon than they emit, helping to offset the province’s emissions. However, Fiona has reduced the amount of forest absorbing carbon overall.

Jessica Kaknevicius

Forests Ontario has supported the planting of 45,000 trees in Halton this season as part of a national program that added 2.7 million trees to greenspaces across the country. To date, this brings the total planted in Halton to over one million and 46.5 million across the country, with support from Forests Ontario and its national division, Forest Recovery Canada. “Now, as we are facing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is imperative that we build these relationships across the country, so that we can make a difference in communities from coast to coast to coast. The organization say this re-planting is important in “creating diverse, resilient, thriving forests is one of the most effective, nature-based solutions to combat and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather that can lead to drought or wildfires,” said Forests Ontario CEO Jess Kaknevicius.

BARRIE, ON – In an effort to encourage biodiversity, enhance wildlife habitat, support green job creation, minimize the devastating effects of climate change, and improve the health and wellness of our communities, Forests Ontario supported the planting of approximately 2.7 million trees across Canada this planting season. The 2.7 million trees planted includes over 700,000 outside Ontario – which is a new record for the organization and is thanks to the support of Natural Resources Canada’s 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program, individual and corporate donors, and new planting partners across the country. Through its national division, Forest Recovery Canada, Forests Ontario supported the planting of over 700,000 trees outside Ontario this planting season and into the fall, including 380,000+ in Alberta, 200,000+ in Nova Scotia, 70,000+ in British Columbia, 60,000+ in New Brunswick, and 5,000+ in Manitoba.

Feedback from the forestry sector will be used to help government with key decisions  as it reviews programs, policies, and legislation related to PEI forests. PEI’s first Forest Industry Capacity Report surveyed 61 individuals in the forestry sector who provided insight into harvested forest products and services. “Most PEI forests are owned and managed by 16,000 private woodlot owners, so the forest sector on Prince Edward Island is essential to sustainable forest management. Annual revenue from harvested forest products and services is estimated to exceed $36 million, making it clear that this sector has a big economic impact as well,” said Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers. PEI has 250 full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers employed by the forest sector; most in rural communities. Softwood studwood and sawlogs are the primary products annually harvested on PEI and the 10 largest sawmills are responsible for 69 full-time and seasonal employees. 

A picture-postcard forest on the coast of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick is being turned into a nature reserve. Nature Conservancy of Canada said Wednesday it has acquired 2.3 square kilometres of land from the family of Ruby Brown of St. Martins, N.B., about 40 kilometres east of Saint John. The new Fundy Bay View Nature Reserve, located by the St. Martins Sea Caves and near an existing provincial conservation area, is an important location for migratory shorebirds to stop, feed and rest during their travels north and south, said the non-profit conservation group. More than half the forest is mature, coastal red spruce, with a mixture of balsam fir, red maple and white spruce, and it’s home to a diversity of wildlife, including bear, bobcat and moose, as well as bird species at risk.

Some neighbourhoods in Upper Tantallon/Hammonds Plains are getting new trees planted to replace many that were burned in the May 2023 wildfire. “We’ve committed to planting 21 million trees in Nova Scotia as part of a national effort to support biodiversity, carbon capture and quality of life in our communities. This work also supports ecological forestry and green jobs to boost our rural economy,” said Kent Smith, acting Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “Along with our federal partners, we’re funding tree-planting projects across the province. I’m very happy that some of the first are helping restore neighbourhoods that were devastated by last year’s wildfire.” These projects are among 23 around the province that have been approved to date. In total, more than 570,000 trees will be planted this fall with about $974,000 in funding. The trees are a mix of red and white spruce, white pine, tamarack, hemlock, red and sugar maple, yellow birch and red oak.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Tory Rushton, Nova Scotia’s Minister of the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, announced a joint investment of more than $40 million to plant up to 21 million trees by 2031 on private and public lands in Nova Scotia. This funding will result in the planting of more than 21 trees for each resident of Nova Scotia. …The funding will strengthen Nova Scotia’s tree-planting supply chain, from seed collection to nurseries to tree planting and monitoring. This work will create hundreds of jobs across the forestry sector in Nova Scotia. Federal funding comes from the 2 Billion Trees program, part of the Government of Canada’s broader approach to nature-based climate solutions. 

Steven Guilbeault

Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has given Quebec an ultimatum to come up with a plan by next month to protect three endangered herds of woodland caribou or face a federal order that would ban logging in parts of the province. The unprecedented move by Mr. Guilbeault has drawn not just the ire of Premier François Legault’s government, which warns that 2,000 jobs could be lost if Ottawa moves forward with its threat of a federal order to protect the habitat of caribou populations in Val d’Or, Charlevoix and Pipmuacan, an area that straddles the Saguenay and North Shore regions. The federal Conservative Party and Bloc Québécois have also denounced Mr. Guilbeault’s move as a heavy-handed intrusion into provincial jurisdiction and called for the minister to appear before an emergency meeting of the House of Commons environment committee. [A Globe and Mail subscription is required for full access to this story]

A new report from Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency sheds light on what firefighters faced over the nearly three-week operation to put out the fire that broke out on May 28, 2023, in Upper Tantallon, 30 kilometres from downtown Halifax (and burned more than 900 hectares, forcing more than 16,000 people to evacuate and destroying 151 homes), and points out how the urban, structural firefighters didn’t have the training, experience or equipment to deal with a wildfire. Structural firefighters are trained to combat fires in enclosed spaces, like homes, commercial buildings, industrial facilities and public infrastructure, versus their wildland counterparts, who work in forests and grasslands. Experts say that wildfires will encroach on urban areas more often, with climate change and urban sprawl, and municipal firefighters across the country may not be prepared. …Last year was the worst for wildfires on record, and those who study climate change and fires don’t expect much relief going forward.

The province is putting millions of dollars to train more people for jobs in the trades, specifically in northwestern Ontario. Premier Doug Ford and David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development announced the province’s nearly $17 million investment through the Skills Development Fund to train over 36,000 workers in the mining, construction, energy and forestry sectors. …The announcement includes the construction of new training facilities for Science North, Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 397, and Ironworkers Local 759. This funding also aims to boost training and accessibility for First Nations in the region, with $1 million going to Keewaytinook Okimakinak for training in carpentry and other building trades. …Finally, $580,000 has been dedicated to the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT) to deliver training programs focused on skills and safety knowledge across the forestry, mining, exploration and energy development sectors as well.

OTTAWA, ON – The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, with the Honourable Graydon Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced a joint investment of $64 million over four years through the Government of Canada’s Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program – Equipment Fund. This joint investment will support Ontario’s efforts to purchase wildland firefighting equipment such as trucks, community protection kits and fuel systems. By procuring and upgrading specialized wildland firefighting equipment and hiring and training more personnel, Ontario will be better prepared to respond to wildfires. This result will enhance safety for communities and firefighters and improve the sharing of resources across Canada. 

GREATER SUDBURY, ON – Tree-planting efforts across Canada are playing a large part in tackling the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Minister of Natural Resources announced a joint investment of more than $61 million to launch a new tree-planting program in Ontario’s Crown forestland through 2026. The program will see Ontario and Canada provide equal funding for silvicultural activities — including site preparation and tree planting — to strengthen ecosystems in areas with little or no tree cover, including areas disturbed by forest fires. This tree planting initiative complements trees planted by forest managers to regenerate forests following harvesting activities and should enable the planting of approximately 60 million trees by the end of the program, depending on the availability of suitable Crown forestland and the range of projects identified by Ontario’s forest managers.

Natural Resources Canada’s Indigenous Seed Collection Program has pulled out from Fredericton to begin their third cross-country tour. National Tree Centre coordinator Donnie McPhee has packed up an RV while his teammates pull a truck and trailer filled with tools and resources to a variety of Indigenous communities from New Brunswick to British Columbia. The goal of the trip is to work with Indigenous communities to develop seed collection strategies to preserve tree and shrub species for generations to come. …McPhee says there are around 600 different Indigenous communities across Canada, and this program is an important way to ensure seeds are kept safe in the case of extinction. …He says researchers are interested in getting the genetic information of various seeds as some found in one region may have the ability to thrive in another.

NEWMARKET, ON – Conserving land is crucial to maintaining biodiversity and preserving habitats that support diverse species and ecological processes. …The Government of Canada has invested over $12.5 million in Canada Nature Fund and Enhanced Nature Legacy funding (through the Target 1 Challenge program) with Conservation Ontario to support the acquisition of land primarily in southern Ontario. This funding has resulted in the conservation of over 1,600 hectares of land, a crucial step toward increasing habitat for species at risk; helping to tackle climate change; and supporting conservation, restoration, and protection of our natural environment. These conserved areas are vital for enhancing biodiversity, safeguarding floodplains, and expanding Canada’s conservation network.

GATINEAU, QC – The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, makes the following statement to announce the extension of the consultation period that began on June 19, 2024, for an emergency order to protect the caribou: “In June, we took steps to put in place an emergency order to protect the habitat of the three most at-risk boreal caribou populations in Quebec: Val-d’Or, Charlevoix and Pipmuacan. After requests from Quebec’s Indigenous communities and stakeholders, we are announcing today that it will be extended by four weeks, until September 15, 2024. This extension is intended to give the various parties involved more time to participate in these important consultations, while respecting the urgent nature of the situation. This extension will also provide an additional opportunity for the Government of Quebec to present a comprehensive strategy to protect the boreal caribou.

New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservative government spent two years increasing protected natural areas from just under five per cent of the province’s land and freshwater to 10%, a doubling that was proudly announced in December 2022. But now there’s a push from conservationists for far more: to hit 30% by 2030, the vaunted “30 by 30” that the Trudeau Liberal government pledged at a United Nations biodiversity forum. …The province’s timber industry isn’t rejecting the “30 by 30” idea outright, but it has concerns that the target would zero-in on Crown or public land, where four big for-profit firms have longterm leases to cut wood – J.D. Irving, Twin Rivers, Interfor and AV Group. Kim Allen, the executive director of Forest New Brunswick, points out that New Brunswick, unlike larger provinces like British Columbia or Quebec, whose territory is more than 90% public land, only has about half of its land in public trust. The rest is private.

QUEBEC — The developers of a project to install wind turbines in a habitat that’s home to a vulnerable caribou herd in central Quebec say they intend to proceed, despite reservations from provincial and federal experts. Renewable energy company Boralex is partnering with Hydro-Québec and Energir on the project in the Charlevoix region, which would see the installation of 68 wind turbines. Seventeen of the turbines would be on land set aside by the province for a small and vulnerable herd of woodland caribou. “The issue with wind turbines is that it’s a permanent disturbance,” said Pierre-Olivier Boudreault, at La Société pour la nature et les parcs. …The herd has recovered slightly and now counts 39 caribou. …Boralex’s Katheryne Coulombe, said, “Since the territory targeted by the development of the project is already more than 98% disturbed by forestry and vacation activities, the currently proposed project would not generate additional pressure on caribou habitat”.