Unifor Calls For Stronger Policies To Promote Sustainable Forestry

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Unifor has released a new policy publication which states that right choices and strong policies are the key factors which may determine the strong future of forestry. The publication titled ‘The Future of Forestry: A workers’ perspective for successful, sustainable and just forestry’ is produced by Unifor Forestry Industry Council in collaboration with Unifor Research Department.

According to the publication, Forestry is one of the primary contributors to Canadian economy. The country is the world’s largest forestry exporter. The sector provides direct employment to over 200,000 people across the country in various activities including logging, pulp and paper and wood-products manufacturing. Altogether, forestry is responsible for more than half-a-million Canadian jobs. However, the industry has been going through serious challenges during the past one decade, leading to the loss of nearly one-third of its jobs.

Unifor notes that support of federal and provincial governments could help the forestry companies to adapt themselves to growing market. Strong policies to support investments must be formulated and implemented. Coordination of all industry stakeholders could result in transformative innovations, which in turn could lead to sustainable and strong forestry in future. Unifor publication also calls for smart policies for effective management of public resources by taking communities into full confidence.

The new capital investment in Canadian forestry sector has recovered significantly in 2016 to nearly $2.2 billion. The steady improvement in investments from the low of just $1 billion in 2009 is a clear sign of positive future. Production levels and shipments have also improved significantly over the period. However, a sustained recovery is closely connected with the future of the future of the already expired US-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement and the new duties that are likely to be imposed on exports to the US.

Unifor calls for stronger partnership with indigenous organizations, communities and governments towards implementation of recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliations Commission. Further, it also demanded significant expansion of funding and scope for the Investments in Foreign Industry Transformation (IFIT) program and further expansion of independent third-party certification globally. The policy document highlights the need to modernize labor laws and partnership with stakeholders to boost employment opportunities for under-represented groups in forestry sector, including women.