For more visit:  The Marketplace - Quotes & Testimonials - We're Using FSC!

Forests & Communities

Your guarantee: On-the-Ground and On-the-Shelf

Based on 10 international principles, local FSC standards are developed for individual regions. The standards ensure that environmental, community, worker and industry needs are balanced, and that long-term forest management plans are implemented. On the ground this means real benefits: 

- Waterways are protected;
- Wildlife habitat and species are protected;
- High conservation value forests are preserved;
- Forest management practices are monitored annually;
- Genetically modified trees are not used;
- Pesticide use is reduced;
- Local people are involved in forest mgmt.;
- The rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected.

Some examples of specific requirements under the FSC forest management standard include:

• Developing and implementing a plan to maintain undisturbed areas of wildlife habitat or restore, where possible;
• Special management provisions when harvesting within 65 metres of all permanent water bodies; 
• Not converting forests into plantations;
• Conducting an analysis of the forest's pre-industrial condition, and taking steps to maintain and/or restore the forest's key natural characteristics, especially the extent of old forests in the region and the presence of large, core forest areas.
• Leaving 10 to 50% of the forest as it would appear after a natural disturbance;
• Limiting how and where roads are built (i.e. entering areas in winter over frozen lakes instead of building new roads); and
• Consulting with local communities and First Nations groups on use rights and management practices.

FSC certification is internationally recognized as the most rigorous environmental and social standard for responsible forest management. The FSC's transparency, focus on a participatory consultation process, independent monitoring, supply chain tracking and strong management standards are some of the reasons why it is the only forest certification system supported by groups such as the World Wildlife Fund Canada, Greenpeace, Sierra Club of Canada, and the National Aboriginal Forestry Association.

All forests certified to FSC's standards must meet the FSC's ten principles of forest management, and undergo third-party audits. The audit process can take several years as public meetings and consultations take place to ensure that local communities, First Nations and stakeholders have a say in forest management practices. In addition to the initial certification audit, every year auditors return to the field to make certain that the forest management practices are being implemented according to established plans and requirements.

Good for Forests, Good for Communities

The forest is the economic backbone of many rural, remote and forest-based communities across the country. For Aboriginal Peoples across Canada, the forest is fundamental to their traditional cultural, spiritual and material well-being and future self-sufficiency. The wood and paper products industries are major contributors to Canada’s standard of living. These industries employ over 350 000 Canadians directly and over 770 000 indirectly. They generate over $58 billion in total sales annually, making a net contribution of $34 billion – more than half of the country’s annual trade surplus. Even though forest exports from other nations are rising, Canada continues to be the world’s largest exporter of forest products.

Forests certified against FSC's standards must meet all of the FSC's ten principles, three of which deal directly with community and worker rights.

• Promotion of forest dependent cultures and communities;
• Involvemement of local people in forest management decisions;
• Respect and recognition of Aboriginal Peoples' rights;
• Assurance of worker safety and welfare;
• Development of opportunities for small producers and manufacturers.