Obstacles to Silviculture in Canada

Abstract

As the source of raw material for Canada's forest industry shifts from the frontier of original timber to managed crops, the policy framework influencing investments in silviculture assumes critical importance. Opportunities for economically beneficial silviculture are probably substantial, but policy makers have been provided with surprisingly little evidence of the kind they need to allocate budgets appropriately. Moreover, governments have created serious obstacles to silviculture through property tax systems that generate disincentives to forest enhancement, through forest tenure arrangements that are insecure or dampen regional timber markets, and through regulations that impede or distort silvicultural effort. Removal of these obstacles, and provision of information and guidance about silvicultural opportunities, would give considerable stimulus to improved forest management in Canada and undoubtedly at less cost than new governmental silvicultural programs. Key words: forest policy economic opportunities, incentives and obstacles for forestry, silvicultural investments, forest regulations.