Mark Carney

The Carney government is slowing down planned regulatory changes that angered First Nations and mobilized civil society organizations. Stopping short of admitting they were moving too fast or too far, the government said that it would extend the public engagement period until July 22. …Among the suite of measures were designating pre-approving development in certain “federal economic zones” and giving the federal cabinet limited power to exempt projects from the “jeopardy test” for species at risk. The Assembly of First Nations called the proposed changes “not acceptable” and said they demonstrated “a pattern of exclusion.” On Wednesday, many of Canada’s environmental and conservation groups assembled on Parliament Hill to oppose the government’s proposal. …The Carney government justified the changes by arguing Canada needs to fast-track nation-building projects that strengthen the economy and help diversify exports away from the US.

• Related coverage by Aya Dufour in iPolitics: Ottawa extends consultation period for proposed project assessment changes

VICTORIA, BC – Canada’s forest sector is at a pivotal moment. Ongoing pressures — including tariffs, fibre supply challenges, changing market demands and climate change — are significantly impacting the industry and the communities that depend on it. In response, the Government of Canada is focusing on what we can control — and moving forward with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners on a co-ordinated approach to transform the sector into one that can thrive in the long term. Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a Forest Sector Action Plan, with key commitments to drive the transformation of the forest sector in collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and other key partners. The Action Plan is informed by the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s recommendations and builds on the extensive work it completed during its 90–day mandate. The plan focuses on four priority areas to position Canada’s forest sector as a leading global supplier of both traditional and advanced forest products…

OTTAWA, ON—Canadian Forest Owners (CFO) congratulates the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and members of the Forestry Transformation Task Force on the release of their report, which recognizes the important contribution of Canada’s private forests in building a competitive, sustainable, and resilient forest sector. Representing approximately 480,000 private forest owners across the country, CFO’s members manage 25 million hectares of privately owned forest land from coast to coast. Together, they account for approximately 10 per cent of Canada’s forest land base and 20 per cent of national forest production. As the report notes, “Canada has a proud tradition of private forest ownership.” Private forests contribute an estimated $14.5 billion annually to Canada’s economy and support nearly 40,000 direct jobs in silviculture, harvesting, transportation, and forest products manufacturing. …For CFO, the report’s recognition of private forests is an important step forward. However, the organization believes that recognition must now be accompanied by policy action.