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Five Year Report on the Status of Forestry

In the five-year reporting period April 1996 to March 2001, Canada's forest sector has experienced significant change. Across the country, governments and forest industry have continued to evolve toward sustainable forest management through expanding and improving forest inventories; exploring ways to increase Aboriginal participation in the forest sector; and working toward a network of protected areas. They also began discussions in anticipation of the end of the Softwood Lumber Agreement with the U.S. that occurred March 31, 2001.

Specific industry developments reported in the following pages include: Pine Falls Paper Company Limited's completion of its de-inking plant; Tembec Inc.'s purchase of Pine Falls Paper Company, and Tolko Industries' sawmill upgrade.

In Manitoba increased interest by First Nations communities resulted in discussions between Tembec Inc. (formerly Pine Falls Paper) and several First Nations Communities to develop a partnership sawmill project.

Late in the reporting period, Manitoba's three forest management licence holders had taken the first steps toward certification of their operations and products. Certification confirms timber is derived from sustainably managed forests. Forest products certification has become a significant trend in the sector.

Manitoba initiated new forest inventory and wood supply analysis to determine annual allowable harvest levels. Forestry Branch and Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd. (L-P) conducted a new Forest Lands Inventory pilot project in the Duck and Porcupine Mountains.

Manitoba's Protected Areas Initiative has set aside 53,650 square kilometers since the program began in the early 1990s. Protected areas prohibit industrial activities such as logging or mining. Much of the early work on this program was in non-productive forest areas. By the end of the reporting period, focus had moved to areas of forestry activity.

A pilot project on the east side of Lake Winnipeg was conducted as a first step to implementing Manitoba's Forest Plan Towards Ecosystems Based Management. The forest plan is a long-term framework to create ecosystems-based forest management. The project described the ecological characteristics of the eco-region and tested public participation models. To further increase public participation in resource use and forest planning, Manitoba Conservation began a broad-area planning process on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

In 1999, Manitoba's Natural Resources Department was amalgamated with Environment and renamed Manitoba Conservation. New departmental priorities emerged including northern economic development, increased Aboriginal participation in resource management and an ecosystem-based approach to forest resource inventory.

Concurrent with the creation of Manitoba Conservation, Forestry Branch reviewed its mandates and aligned resources with departmental priorities. This review was initiated, in part, to address evolving public expectations, technological advanced in forest management and new industry needs. The Forestry Branch review was still in progress at the end of the reporting period.

Forestry Branch initiated a world wide Web site project in 1996. It has since expanded its site to better reflect the branch's mandates for forest management and to meet client needs. Expansion and refinement of the site continues.

Legislation and Policy

Two new pieces of legislation were introduced to Manitoba's urban forest resources. An updated version of the Dutch Elm Disease Act and its Regulation was approved in 1998, as was the Arborists Licensing Regulation introduced in the spring of 2001.

The new Dutch Elm Disease Act replaces the previous act passed in 1981, and aims to strengthen the delivery of Dutch elm disease (DED) management programs in the province. The new act introduced improved management measures and higher penalties for infractions. It also added more appropriate definitions of enforcement procedures against this lethal elm tree disease.

The Arborists Licensing Regulation, which falls under The Plant Pests and Diseases Act, introduces new licensing requirements for tree care workers in Manitoba. The new qualifications to obtain tree care licence in this province reflect the standards of skill and knowledge now commonly accepted in other pats of North America. This regulation replaces the old Manitoba Tree Pruners Regulation, last amended in 1987.

Forest Inventory and Resource Analysis

Manitoba has committed to sustainable development and ecosystem based approaches for forest management. Manitoba Conservation has adopted new methods to evaluate forest resources that account for the increasingly complex issues associated with managing the forest resources. This is accomplished through an inventory of the forest resource province-wide. To determine volumes and distribution of productive timber, growth rates and depletion of the resource through extraction and natural events is also analysed.

Forest Practices and Planning

Many of the forest management responsibilities for the provincial Crown forest land base have been assigned to companies holding Forest Management Licences, as part of the tenure arrangement. To ensure management activities are consistent across the province, Manitoba Conservation provides direction to these companies on planning, management and practises.

Forest Health

Part of Manitoba Conservation's mandate for forestry is to monitor forest insects and diseases to anticipate and manage outbreaks that could significantly impact Crown or private forest lands.

Forest Renewal

Manitoba's Forest Renewal Program was developed to ensure harvested forests regenerate quickly to the same forest types as was removed; thereby, maintaining the existing mosaic of stand types over the landscape. This is achieved through both tree planting and natural regeneration methods.

Forest Administration

Manitoba Conservation administers and regulates the allocation, revenue collection, harvesting and utilization of Crown timber activities as part of its mandate to facilitate economic development.

Conclusion

During the past five years, Manitoba's forest sector continued to evolve. Significant partnerships were formed between government, industry and First Nations communities for mutual economic development. During the reporting period, seeds were sown for new inventory and wood supply processes, increasing Aboriginal participation in forestry and facilitating industry development. These areas will continue to be the priorities for forest management over the next five years along with increased activity on issues of global significance such as climate change, in particular carbon sequestration. Other priorities for the next five years include development of a boreal forest strategy, review of The Forest Act and participation in broad area planning for the east side of Lake Winnipeg.