Canadian forests are a renewable natural resource – Can1

The State of Canadian Forests 

Canadians are deeply committed to sustainably managing their forests for the multiple important values they provide. Sustainable forest management (SFM) ensures that these benefits are maintained for both present and future generations. [1]

There are 369 million hectares (ha) or 912 million acres of forest covering Canada. Across the country, Canadians have deep connections to their forests— valuing, managing and using them in different ways. Therefore, maintaining Canada’s forest is vital. Since 1990, less than 0.5% has been deforested. According to laws, regulations and policies in place across Canada, all areas harvested on public land must be reforested, either by replanting or through natural regeneration, so virtually all harvested lands will continue to be regenerated. About 94% of Canada’s forests are on public land. [2]

Canada is home to 9% of the world’s forests, making it the third most forested country in the world after Russia and Brazil. Canada’s total forest area has been stable between 1990 and 2023. A relatively stable forest area is an important indicator that forests are being managed sustainably and, therefore, remain a stable provider of resources, biodiversity, and diverse environmental services. Forests dominate many Canadian landscapes, but cover only 40% of Canada’s land base. [3]

75% of Canada’s forests and woodlands are in the boreal zone. Canada’s boreal forest is often portrayed as a vast tract of ancient, pristine wilderness, but that’s not the case. Although the boreal region itself is ancient, the boreal forest is made up mostly of trees that are relatively young compared with many that grow in more temperate climates, it is regularly affected by forest fire, insects and other natural disturbances, and continually renews itself through these natural disturbances. [4]

In the long term, a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit. [5]

Canada manages its forests according to the principles of Sustainable Forest Management; in 2023, approximately 670,000 hectares of Canadian forests were harvested, which represents roughly 0.2% of forested land. By law, all forests harvested on public lands must be regenerated. Successful regeneration, either through natural or artificial means, contributes to maintaining or restoring ecosystem services. [6]

In 2023, 563 million seedlings were planted on 400,000 hectares of provincial forest lands in Canada. [6]

Deforestation 

Deforestation is the permanent conversion of forest to other land uses, including urban development, agriculture, pastures, water reservoirs and mining. The term deforestation specifically excludes areas where the trees have been harvested or logged, and where the forest will regenerate naturally or with the aid of sustainable forestry measures. The main drivers of deforestation in Canada continue to be agricultural, mining, as well as oil and gas expansion. [6]

In 2023, only 0.01% of Canada’s forestland was deforested – this encompasses all deforestation, including agriculture, mining, development, hydroelectric development and forestry. Forestry makes up only 2% of that 0.01%. This compares to 3.6% that was affected by insects and 4.7% that was affected by fire. Agricultural expansion continues to be the main driver of deforestation in Canada. [6]

Forest Certification 

Third-party forest management certification complements Canada’s comprehensive and rigorous forest management laws and regulations. It provides added assurance that a forest products company is operating legally, sustainably and in compliance with world-recognized standards for sustainable forest management. [7]

The three independent certification programs used in Canada – Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) all set high thresholds above and beyond Canada’s tough regulatory requirements. [7]

Canada leads the world in third-party sustainable forest certification. As of 2023 end of year, 177 million hectares were certified to the three sustainable forest management certification programs in use in Canada. [7]

Just 9.5% of the world’s forests are independently certified, and 41% of these certified lands are in Canada. Canada’s certified lands would cover an area the size of Germany, Spain and Sweden combined. [7]

About 70% of Canada’s certified lands are in the boreal region – it has two times more boreal forest certified than any other country.7 Canada is the only country in the world whose national trade association (FPAC) makes third-party verified sustainable forest certification a condition of membership. FPAC member companies are responsible for about half of forestry operations in Canada. [7]

Carbon Sequestration 

The entire world is grappling with the urgent need to address climate change and cut carbon emissions. As Canada faces the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, healthy Canadian forests and forest products obtained from them will play a vital role in the transition to a greener, low-carbon economy. [8]

For the past century, Canada’s managed forests have been a significant carbon sink, steadily absorbing and storing more carbon from the atmosphere than released. However, in recent decades the situation has reversed varying by year. Several factors have contributed to this shift from carbon sink to carbon source. The annual total area burned by wildland fires has increased substantially. Unprecedented insect outbreaks have occurred. And annual harvest rates have shifted dramatically in response to economic demand, increasing in the 1990s and decreasing sharply with the global economic recession. The combination of these events and activities has resulted in Canada’s managed forests acting as a net carbon source in years when large areas are burned. [8]

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