Sustainable development and the Canadian forest sector

Abstract

Forests, covering almost 50% of Canada's land surface and representing about 10% of the global forest land, are a predominant feature of the Canadian landscape. The forest sector makes an overwhelming contribution to the economic and social well-being of Canadians in all parts of the country. The economic significance of Canadian forests should continue in the future, since the global market demand is projected to increase at the annual rate of approximately 3% over the next 20 yr. Forests also play a vital role in the maintenance of the Canadian environment. Consequently, those engaged in the management of the Canadian forest sector have a national as well as global responsibility to maintain the health of Canada's forests through implementation of a policy of sustainable development. This paper describes the concept of sustainable development and its implications for the Canadian forest sector, and then proposes a framework for translation of this concept into practise. -from Author