The Forests of Canada A Study of the Canadian Forestry Sector and Its Position in the Global Timber Trade Malcolm Cockwell The Forests of Canada: A Study of the Canadian Forestry Sector and Its Position in the Global Timber Trade. Working Draft. Written, compiled, and edited by Malcolm Cockwell. The author is grateful for guidance from foresters at Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve, managers at Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve, and scholars at the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto. Chapters XV through XXII were originally submitted as reports to the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto between April 2010 and December 2011 before being modified for inclusion in this book. Copyright © 2012 Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve. All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered by the copyrights herein may be produced or used in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including taping or information retrieval systems – without the prior written permission of the author. This book follows the publication of Objective Ecology: A Study of Global Warming and Popular Views (2007) by Malcolm Cockwell. Free electronic versions of all Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve publications are available online. For more information about Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve, please visit http://www.limberlostforest.com. For more information about this publication, please contact: Malcolm Cockwell, Forest Manager Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve [email protected] 51 Yonge St. Toronto ON Canada M5E 1J1 WORKING DRAFT Please submit comments and corrections to the author: Malcolm Cockwell, Forest Manager Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve [email protected] 51 Yonge St. Toronto ON Canada M5E 1J1 This book is dedicated to my grandmother Daphne Cockwell (1915-2008), a lifelong lover of nature and environmentalist who planted in my mind and the minds of many others a deep passion for protecting and enjoying the wilderness, from the northern forests of Canada to the southern oceans of South Africa. This book is also dedicated to the many people I have worked with over the years – loggers, truckers, and treemarkers, as well as professional foresters, researchers, and university professors – who have taught me everything I know about forestry in Canada. Without them, I would have never developed such an intense interest in forests, let alone attempted this book. Table of Contents About The Forests of Canada iii Acknowledgements v Part I: An Overview of the Forestry Sector in Canada Introduction Context and Summary of Chapters 1 Chapter I Lay of the Land 9 An Overview of Canadian Terrain Chapter II Social Trees 19 Politics and Society in Canadian Forestry Chapter III As Far as the Eye Can See 29 The Forest Regions of Canada Chapter IV Natural Advantage 35 Ecological Perspectives on Canadian Forests Chapter V Business in Action 47 Commercial Perspectives on Canadian Forests Chapter VI Theory and Practise 58 Harvesting Methods and Ecological Impacts Chapter VII In Good Company 76 Industrial Relations in Canadian Forestry Chapter VIII Creating Value 89 Wood Products Manufacturing in Canada Chapter IX Shoots and Ladders 104 The Politics of Canadian Forestry Chapter X Love of the Land 116 Ownership and Tenure of Forests Chapter XI Piles of Paperwork 127 Forestry Legislation in Canada i ii The Forests of Canada Chapter XII Sharing the Wealth 135 Canada in the Global Timber Trade Part II: Perspectives on Current Issues in Ontario Introduction Context and Summary of Chapters 151 Chapter XIII Public Problem 158 The Failure of the Crown Forest Tenure System Chapter XIV Private Solution 174 The Logic of Crown Forest Privatization Chapter XV Burning Desire 190 Wood Fuel in the Ontario Forestry Sector Chapter XVI A Hot Topic 206 Forest Bioenergy Market Development Chapter XVII Renewable Fuel 222 Emerging Sources of Forest Bioenergy Chapter XVIII A Fire Inside 237 Use and Consumption of Forest Bioenergy Chapter XIX Tinders and Cinders 254 Wood Fuel Processing Technologies Chapter XX Tough Love 270 The Role of Third-Party Certification Chapter XXI Sustainability on Sale 282 Market Benefits from Third-Party Certification Chapter XXII Buying Stewardship 297 Conservation through Tax Incentives Conclusion 315 Glossary 319 Bibliography 330 About The Forests of Canada I am a conservationist who believes that good forest management is a form of environmental conservation that leads to sustainable economic development. This book explains my faith in the viability of the Canadian forestry sector and the progressive forms of forest management and protection being embraced and implemented across Canada. Much of my life has been spent working on nature reserves in central Ontario, such as Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve. I consider myself fortunate to have completed my initial forestry studies under the supervision of professors at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry while gaining experience from foresters at Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve. Through interactions with knowledgeable individuals, I have been exposed to a practical philosophy of sound forest management. This philosophy is the foundation of my belief in the ability of forestry companies to embrace sustainable development and environmental protection in Canada. In the “Introductory Note to Readers” at the beginning of Objective Ecology: A Study of Global Warming and Popular Views, I noted, “Upon realizing the empowerment that comes from a better understanding of issues like climate change, I now firmly believe that if people confront global warming with reason and solid facts, more sensible actions will eventually emerge.” Having witnessed avoidable conflicts come out of misunderstandings about forestry practises in Canada, the motive that compelled me to write Objective Ecology prompted me to write The Forests of Canada. This book has been written over the course of several years, with iii iv The Forests of Canada sections reviewed and revised multiple times as I have learned more about the Canadian forestry sector. I have aimed to ensure that The Forests of Canada is as straightforward as its title, so that readers from all backgrounds can benefit from the information and ideas within. Over the course of the next few years, I plan to write sequels to The Forests of Canada, focusing on the forestry sectors of the following countries or regions: Brazil, U.S., Indonesia, India, China, Scandinavia, Russia, Central Europe, Southern Africa, and the Congo Basin. A well-managed forest is beautiful and productive, and through its many processes is able to sustain countless creatures. For humans, a forest provides livelihoods and the means for comfortable living to families, as well as much needed wood that is used in construction and household products. For the environment, a forest contributes to water purification and nutrient cycling, while providing habitat for wildlife and sequestering carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change. It is hoped by many engaged in the forestry sector that these environmental benefits will earn the appreciation of society in a tangible form, and thereby provide even more benefits to people as well as wildlife on a sustainable basis. Like many foresters and conservationists, I want to see more well- managed forests contributing to sustainable economic development and environmental protection in Canada. To this end, throughout this book, I have tried to offer suggestions for improving the economic viability and ecological sensitivity of the many forest-based industries in Canada. On the whole, I hope that by informing readers about the opportunities and challenges facing the Canadian forestry sector, The Forests of Canada will contribute to better forestry policies and practices across the country. Acknowledgments It has been my good fortune to have countless opportunities to learn from some of the most passionate and knowledgeable foresters, loggers, conservationists, and scholars in the hardwood region of Ontario. This non-exhaustive section is intended to acknowledge the people who have taught me the most about forest management and conservation. The work of Peter Schleifenbaum as a dedicated steward of Canadian forests has contributed to my understanding of sustainable forest management. Peter McElwain, founder of Forest Designs, is one of the most experienced foresters I have encountered. I am very grateful for the practical lessons about the sawmill industry provided by Mike Thompson, who is by far the most knowledgeable lumberman I have met. I have also been privileged to work alongside J.C. Desjardins and Chris Allis, two experienced loggers who implement harvesting techniques as a form of environmental stewardship. These men and their colleagues at Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve consistently teach me more over the course of a day than I could ever learn during a year of private study. From the University of Toronto, I am indebted to the instructors at the Faculty of Forestry who have dedicated their careers to forestry education. Professors who have had a great impact on my understanding of the Canadian forestry sector include Andy Kenney, who focuses on urban forestry and agroforestry, and C.T. Smith, a former Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, who continues to instruct students on wood-based bioenergy technologies and market developments. More than anyone else, I am especially grateful to John Caspersen, who has taught me an immense amount