Government support has 'transformed' Canada's forest sector, claims minister at launch of State of Canada's Forests Report 2013; highlights efforts to remove market barriers, 1,000% increase in exports to China in C$19B sector supporting 234,000 jobs

Wendy Lisney

OTTAWA , December 6, 2013 (press release) – Highlights transformation of Canada’s forest sector and exciting opportunities

The Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, made the following statement after the State of Canada’s Forests Report 2013 was tabled by Parliamentary Secretary Kelly Block, MP, in the House of Commons yesterday. The report highlights the tangible results achieved through the Government of Canada’s support for the forest sector, creating innovative products and technologies and expanding markets for existing and new products.

“This year’s report confirms that Canada’s forest sector is emerging from the economic downturn more diversified and energized than ever before. Canada’s forest sector is providing exciting new products for the domestic and international markets, providing jobs for 234,000 Canadian workers and contributing $19 billion to our nation’s economy.

“Our government has worked with industry and other governments to remove barriers to accessing new markets and to find innovative ways of using Canadian wood products. This is creating results, with a 1,000 percent increase of Canadian softwood lumber exports to China. Under the recently announced Canada-European Union Trade Agreement, our world-class wood products will enjoy preferential access to–and increased demand from—the EU’s member states. The result of these combined efforts to expand markets will be felt throughout the entire forest sector and lead to more jobs for Canadians.

“Clearly, we have achieved a great deal over the past year. And, through well-established and new partnerships, we expect to continue building a more prosperous future for our forest sector and the communities that depend on it.

“Each year, the State of Canada’s Forests Report provides an overview of Canada’s forests and forest sector. It contains the latest statistics accompanied by expert trend summaries, demonstrating Canada’s transparency in reporting on forest management.

“To learn more, please read the report online at cfs.nrcan.gc.ca.”

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