          
DID YOU KNOW...There are about 7,000 forest-related establishments throughout Canada's Boreal forests, providing jobs to nearly 400,000 people |
Media CentrePress Releases2004Quebec conservation goals not keeping pace with public viewOctober 19, 2004 - OTTAWA People in Quebec are underwhelmed by existing conservation goals according to a recent poll commissioned by the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI). About two-thirds of respondents said the Quebec government's plan to increase protection of lands and forests from industrial development is "not ambitious enough". Currently, 3% of the province is protected from industrial development, with a government commitment to increase that number to 8% by next year. The poll findings suggest the government has room to do significantly more. Nine out of ten respondents said they support the creation of more natural protected areas than the government is planning. Nearly two thirds (64%) of Quebecers would like to see at least HALF of their forests permanently protected from industrial development. The director of the CBI, Cathy Wilkinson, says that the public strongly supports protecting biodiversity and ecosystems. "This support must influence the decision-making process as it concerns the future of Quebec's boreal region, including the area south of the 52nd parallel, which is almost entirely allocated to industrial development," said Wilkinson. The poll also found that, asked whether they support or oppose the creation of more natural protected areas where industrial activities like logging or mining are prohibited, three in four (76%) Quebecers say they "strongly support" and another 15% say they "somewhat support" the creation of more such areas. "The public is clearly signalling that wilderness protection is a priority", said Wilkinson. "We ask that the Coulombe Commission examine public forest management practices that take into account the importance of protecting wildlife habitats and include the protection of intact forests in its recommendations. And, it is equally important for Quebec to adopt a comprehensive planning approach to balance conservation and development goals." The opinion research was conducted for CBI by McAllister Opinion Research (www.mcallister-research.com). The findings are based on a phone survey of 626 Quebec residents in August 2004, with a margin of error of 3.91%, 19 times out of 20. The survey also found that:
Canada's boreal region covers 1.4 billion acres, and one-fifth of this vast landscape is found in Quebec. Fully 80 percent of the province is covered by the boreal region, which spans the country from the Yukon across the north of most provinces east to Newfoundland and Labrador. Quebec's boreal region is home to endangered woodland caribou herds, and includes the Moisie River, one of the most important salmon rivers in eastern North America. The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) is an independent organization working with conservationists, Aboriginal communities, industry and others to link science, policy and conservation activities in Canada's boreal region. CBI recently announced the Boreal Forest Conservation Framework - a balanced national vision for conservation and sustainable development in Canada's boreal region. Signatories of the Framework active in Quebec include CPAWS, Domtar Inc., Ducks Unlimited Canada,.Tembec Inc., and WWF-Canada. Related Backgrounders-30- For more information: |
| Contact Us Links FAQs |
 |
 |
 |
