Paul Griss - Pollution Probe

A Wildlife Policy for Canada,the National Forest Strategyand the Canada Forest Accord

Two ModelsA Wildlife Policy for Canada (1990)• endorsed by the Wildlife Ministers Council;• developed by federal/provincial/NGO task force;• led by Canadian Wildlife Service.National Forest Strategy and Canada Forest Accord(1992)• endorsed by Canadian Council of Forest Ministers;• developed by multistakeholder task force;• led by Canadian Forest Service.

A Wildlife Policy for Canada• Long history of federal/provincial/NGOcooperation on wildlife issues.• Guidelines for Wildlife Policy in Canadaapproved by Wildlife Ministers Council in1982.• 1988 Federal-Provincial/Territorial WildlifeConference called for development of anational wildlife policy.• Task force (federal/provincial/NGO) taskforce established.

A Wildlife Policy for Canada (2)• A Wildlife Policy for Canada endorsed byWildlife Ministers Council in 1990.• Laid the groundwork for the CanadianBiodiversity Strategy endorsed in 1996 inresponse to Canadian commitments made atUNCSD in Rio in 1992.• In 2005, Commissioner for Environment andSustainable Development criticized Canada’slack of progress in implementing CBS.

Key Issues• Strong interjurisdictional network – throughannual conferences and Wildlife MinistersCouncil.• Awareness of what was coming(biodiversity).• Strong cooperation between government,NGOs and other stakeholders.• Recognition of flexibility in approaches.• Federal agency able to play a catalytic andsupportive role.

National Forest Strategy• Intermittent National Forest Congresses andNational Forest Sector Strategies from 1906-1987.• Canadian Forestry Association played a keyrole as a partner with government inorganizing recent congresses.• 1987-1992 National Forest Strategy was a“timber” strategy inconsistent with emergingemphasis on “sustainable development”(Brundtland Commission)

A Stronger Federal Role• Ministry of Forests established in 1989 (TheHon. Frank Oberle as Minister)• First national report on the State of Foreststabled in Parliament in 1990 – pulled togethera wide range of data from federalgovernment, provinces and territories.• SoF report used 1986 information andrecognized the limitations of data anddifferent methods of data collection, so aprocess was set in place to improveinformation over time.

Changing Political Environment• Concerns about the future of Canada’s forests havehit the public agenda on a generational basis sincethe 1870s.• The late 1980s saw Canada targeted internationally(South Moresby campaign, “Brazil of the North”,etc.).• Federal and provincial governments needed to find away to respond and coordinate actions. Alsoneeded to prepare for UNCSD.• Initially believed they had a “story to tell” but thenature of the process meant that weaknesses as wellas strengths would be identified.

National Forest Strategy• In the late 1980s, work began on the nextfive-year National Forest Strategy under theauspices of the Canadian Council of ForestMinisters (formed in 1986).• Executive committee comprising majorstakeholders was formed to provideoversight.• Broad national consultations took place.

National Forest Strategy (2)• National Forest Congress in 1992 chaired byHon. John Fraser, Speaker of the House ofCommons• National Forest Strategy unveiled addressingthe following themes: Forest Environment;Forest Management Practices; PublicParticipation; Economic Opportunities;Forest Research; The Workforce; AboriginalPeople; Private Forests; and the Global View.

Canada Forest Accord• An overarching set of principles intended tohave all forest stakeholders pulling in thesame direction.• Originally signed by 21 leaders in the forestsector (government, industry, academics,First Nations and NGOs)• National Forest Strategy Coalitionestablished to oversee implementation.

Then What?• Virtually all provincial governments overhauled theirforest policies and laws to better reflectsustainability and the NFSS – although approacheswere quite different.• Mid-term review of NFSS conducted around 1995and final review conducted at completion.• 1998-2003 National Forest Strategy developedthrough a consultative process and unveiled at 1998National Forest Congress.• Almost twice as many stakeholders signed thisversion of the Canada Forest Accord.

Then What? (2)• Process repeated for 2003-2008 strategy andaccord.• National Forest Strategy Coalition nowboasts 65 members and there are eightmultistakeholder theme groups (EcosystembasedManagement, Forest Communities,Aboriginal Peoples, Forest Products, UrbanForests and Public Engagement, PrivateWoodlots; and Reporting and Accountability)to monitor implementation.• CFS has provided secretariat to NationalForest Strategy Coalition for 14 years.

Model Forest Program• Announced in 1992 as a Green Plan commitment.• National competition held to select ten sites toreceive federal funding.• Not “models” per se but partnerships to experimentwith new approaches that could enable some toevolve into “models” of sustainable forestmanagement.• Federal and provincial governments, industry,universities, First Nations, NGOs all engaged.• Some succeeded and some failed, but a strongCanadian network and an international network stillexist – all linked through a domestic (CFS) and aninternational (IDRC) secretariat.

Key Issues in NFSS/CFA• Political crisis (something had to be done).• Existing mechanism for interjurisdictionalcooperation (CCFM)• Establishment of strong federal leadershipthrough Forestry Canada (and superbleadership from DM and ADMs).• Early engagement of key stakeholders /leaders.• Flexibility in approaches to implementation.

Key Issues in NFSS/CFA (2)• Strong build over time through openness,accountability, demonstrated results andinclusive approach.• Provided major stakeholders with someownership of process and product.• Commitment to ongoing review andconsistent support through a dedicatedsecretariat.