Media Centre

Press Releases

2003

New poll shows Canadians support conservation planning before development of Canada's boreal forest region

June 17, 2003

Canadians express strong support for making conservation a priority in Canada's Boreal forest ecosystem, according to a recent poll commissioned by the Canadian Boreal Initiative.

"Canada's boreal forest region is home to one of the world's last major intact forest ecosystems and covers more than half of Canada," says Cathy Wilkinson, CBI Director. But the pace of development in the boreal region is accelerating. "More than 30% of the region has already been allocated for resource development, mainly within the past decade. Decisions about large-scale development proposals will be made in the next five to seven years in virtually every province and territory that could alter the region forever,"says Wilkinson.

The poll was commissioned to better understand Canadian values and priorities regarding wilderness conservation. The opinion research suggests that CBI's work to promote better scientific understanding and management of Canada's vast boreal forest ecosystems is not only in line with public values, but it also fulfils a public interest in knowing more about this little understood area.

Asked whether conservation or economic development should be the priority in the Boreal forest region of Canada, seven in ten (71%) Canadians say that conservation should come first. Another two in ten (18%) said that economic development should come first, while six percent (6%) said both should be a priority (and 5 percent are undecided).

When considering the best approach to new industrial development in the boreal forest region, Canadians showed overwhelming support for land use planning. Six in ten (61%) say that a land use plan for the whole boreal forest ecosystem should be created before any new development is allowed, compared to just over three in ten (34%)who say that decisions ought to be made on a case-by-case basis.

The 2003 survey also found that:

• Eight in ten Canadians (81%) say they are concerned about the loss of wilderness forests in their province.
• More than seven in ten (74%) say that wilderness areas should be protected even if it means a loss of jobs and investment.
• Canadians are most likely to value the Boreal ecosystem as a source of "clean air and water and a healthy food chain" (89%), as "a place for nature and wild animals to live" (87%) and, as "a legacy for our children" (79%).
• More than 80% of Canadians say that industry should work with environmental groups, First Nations and local communities to come up with solutions for conserving Canada's boreal ecosystem, rather than unilaterally determining their own best environmental practices.
• These are among the findings of opinion research conducted recently for the Canadian Boreal Initiative by McAllister Opinion Research. The findings are based on a national phone survey of 1007 Canadians in February, 2003, with a margin of error of 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

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For more information:
Ellen Adelberg
Communications consultant to CBI
613- 523-3905 or 613-230-4739, ext 225