Ottawa, October 30, 2009 - The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry will be in St. Quentin and St. Leonard, New Brunswick on November 2^nd and 3^rd as part of its ongoing detailed study on the Canadian forest sector.

The Committee began this study in the spring of 2009. The first part of the study addressed the causes and effects of the current forestry crises in Canada. Various ways of stimulating demand for wood products is the focus of the second part of the study that started this fall. In recent weeks the Committee has, for example, examined different approaches for increasing wood utilisation in the non-residential construction sector.

This fact-finding trip to New Brunswick comes on the heels of a series of meetings called by the Committee to hear from various levels of government, the primary and secondary processing industries, private woodlot owners, the academic community and rural associations.

The forestry crises that have plagued Canada for many years have various causes, but similar effects: factories close, jobs are lost and forestry communities become more vulnerable.

On this trip, the Committee will be meeting with members of the forest industry to better understand the situation in this province. Senator Percy Mockler, Chair, stated that “we have heard from some experts that Canada is leading the world in the development of new technologies in forest products. This is heart-warming for the forestry communities and provides hope in the difficulties they face socially and economically. Moreover, the non-residential construction sector represents a fantastic opportunity to increase wood utilisation.”

“Our challenge is to identify new ways to help forestry communities cope with these crises and bring renewed economic growth and prosperity to them,” said Senator Fairbairn, Deputy Chair of the Committee.

The members of the Committee partaking in the fact-finding trip are:
Percy Mockler, (New Brunswick) – Chair
Joyce Fairbairn, P.C. (Lethbridge - Alberta) – Deputy Chair
Terry M. Mercer, (Northend Halifax - Nova Scotia)
Donald Neil Plett, (Landmark - Manitoba)
Sandra M. Lovelace Nicholas (New Brunswick)

For more information on the Committee and its study, please visit www.senate-senat.ca/agfo.asp.

 

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For more information, please contact:

Mona Ishack                                                                           Josée Thérien
Communications Officer                                                        Committee Clerk
613-944-4082                                                                          613-998-0424
ishacm@sen.parl.gc.ca                                                            therij@sen.parl.gc.ca

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