Montréal, Canada – Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Canada acknowledges the recent announcement by the Government of Canada regarding the emergency decree aimed at protecting boreal caribou populations in Val-d’Or, Charlevoix, and Pipmuacan. “The conservation of habitat for woodland caribou is not just about caribou; it’s about the health and biodiversity of the entire Canadian boreal forest,” says Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Canada president Francois Dufresne. “Woodland caribou are an important umbrella species. Healthy populations provide a clear indication that the forests can support biodiversity. FSC strongly believes that industry and caribou protection measures can co-exist.” FSC encourages the Quebec government to collaborate meaningfully with the federal government and is open to offering their support and subject matter expertise to help Quebec achieve the goals of the Federal Caribou Recovery Strategy. Consultation and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples must also be core to any government strategy.