The Vision of the present Strategy is defined as follows: The long-term health of Canada’s forest will be maintained and enhanced, for the benefit of all living things, and for the social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being of all Canadians now and in the future. Section 1 sets the background situation whereas Section 2 focuses on the main strategic themes. The First deals with Ecosystem-based Management and its objective is as follows: Manage Canada’s natural forest using an ecosystem-based approach that maintains forest health, structure, functions, composition and biodiversity, and includes, but is not limited to: a) Using integrated land-use planning, especially before tenure allocation; b) Maintaining natural forested ecosystems; c) Completing a system of representative protected areas; d) On a national basis, maintaining carbon reservoirs and managing the forest to be a net carbon sink, over the long term; and e) Conserving old-growth forests and threatened forest ecosystems. The Second Theme concentrates on Sustainable Forest Communities and states the objective as follows: Develop legislation and policies to improve the sustainability (social, environmental and economic) of forest-based communities by: a) Fostering participation and involvement in forest management decision making; b) Improving access to resources; c) Sharing benefits; d) Enhancing multiple benefits; and e) Supporting community resilience and adaptive capacity. The Third Theme concerns Rights and Participation of Aboriginal Peoples and its objective is as follows: Accommodate Aboriginal and treaty rights in the sustainable use of the forest recognizing the historical and legal position of Aboriginal Peoples and their fundamental connection to ecosystems. Theme Four lays down provisions relating to Forest Products Benefits. Its objective endeavours to : Stimulate the diversification of markets, forest products and services and benefits (both timber and non-timber) by: a) Understanding current and emerging markets and developing new domestic and international markets; b) Promoting value-added and best end-use through expanded research and design; and c) Attracting manufacturers of finished products and promoting markets for forest environmental services. Theme Five pertains to Knowledge and Innovation for Competitiveness and Sustainability. Its objective prescribes to: Maintain and enhance the skills and knowledge of forest practitioners and mobilize the broader Canadian knowledge community to establish a new forest innovation agenda for Canada by: a) Developing “clusters” of forest sector cooperation, both nationally and regionally, to use available resources more efficiently and effectively; b) Supporting innovative post-secondary education institutions, continuing education and technology transfer to ensure that the principles of adaptive management improve the management of our resources; c) Improving the processes for bringing new and traditional knowledge and ideas to policy evolution, decision making and field practices; and d) Informing investors about opportunities for innovative uses of renewable forest materials and services in relation to the Kyoto Protocol. Theme Six concerns the Urban Forest and Public Engagement in Sustainability. Its objective is to Actively engage Canadians in sustaining the diversity of benefits underlying the importance of Canada’s forest by: a) Establishing mechanisms to advance the planning, maintenance and management of the urban forest based on an ecosystem-based approach; and b) Enhancing communication and outreach programs. Theme Seven deals with Private Woodlots’ Contribution to Sustainability and its objective is described as follows: Increase the economic, social and environmental contribution by Canadian woodlot owners to Canadian society through a concerted effort by stakeholders to strengthen policies and services that encourage and support viable woodlot businesses. And last not least Theme eight contains provisions on Reporting and Accountability. Objective 8: Create a comprehensive national forest reporting system that consolidates data, information and knowledge for all valued features of the forest, both urban and rural. Section 3 deals with Partnership for implementation. In this connexion the following has been defined: I) A National Forest Strategy Steering Committee composed of Accord signatories shall be established to oversee the planning, implementation, communications and reporting on the National Forest Strategy. A tracking and management system will be created to do this. II) The National Forest Strategy Steering Committee shall engage Forest Champions to lead each of the Strategy’s themes. They shall promote the collective implementation of their theme and they will: i) Stimulate and maintain a high level of participation within their network of Accord signatories and with other networks; ii) Develop a work program with the cooperation of signatories and others; iii) Track and report on collective progress to the National Forest Strategy Steering Committee; and iv) Provide advice on priorities, assessments and communications to the National Forest Strategy Steering Committee. III) All signatories to the Accord will strive to adopt the operating principles of this Strategy in a way that is appropriate to their individual circumstances and capabilities. They shall be called upon to contribute financially and in-kind, report regularly on progress and encourage others to become involved.
Канада · 2003-04-23