LOCAL FORESTS FOR A HEALTHY CLIMATE |
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Canadian Forest Owners (CFO) represents 450,000 forest landowners, large and small, who are committed to long-term sustainable forest management for a healthy climate and thriving communities. |
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CFO engages with feds on the Hill |
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Canadian Forest Owners gathered in Ottawa on June 7 – 8, 2022 to meet with more than 20 federal MPs, senators, deputy ministers, directors and political advisors to talk about the important role private forestland owners play in helping Canada meet its climate change targets.
The reach of CFO was extensive, meeting with the Canadian Forest Service (Natural Resources Canada), Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Department of National Revenue, the Department of Rural Economic Development, the Department of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development and finally, the Prime Minister's Office and the Privy Council Office (which supports the PM and Cabinet).
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Above: CFO Board of Directors in the capitol. |
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Working Together to Fight Climate Change |
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Speaker's Welcome Reception |
One of the first groups to return to the Hill since the recent lifting of pandemic restrictions, CFO was hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Anthony Rota, for a welcome reception to cap off the first day of meetings. Mingling with MPs, senators and staff, the event was an opportunity to get to know one another better in the relaxed and intimate atmosphere of the Speaker’s chamber.
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2022 Annual General Meeting |
On June 8, CFO held its Annual General Meeting in Ottawa (and virtually). Members approved the Board's decision to rename the Canadian Federation of Forest Owners to Canadian Forest Owners, one of the recommendations outlined in its strategic government relations plan. CFO Chair Domenico Iannidinardo also welcomed Jason Killam, JD Irving Ltd, as a new director of the board, replacing Kevin Topolniski of Acadian Timber, and thanked Kevin for his dedicated service. Highlighting the key areas of CFO activity, Domenico presented CFO’s vision and goals, outlining its commitment to sustainable forests management for a healthy climate and thriving communities. |
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2 Billion Trees Partnership |
Canadian Forest Owners and Canadian Federation of Agriculture members are proposing to work in partnership with government to help plant 2 Billion trees to aid in the fight against climate change.
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CFO Calls for More Balanced Approach to Migratory Birds |
CFO is deeply committed to wildlife, habitat conservation and protection efforts and takes every possible action to proceed according to federal environmental legislation. However, CFO is calling on the federal government to adopt an evidenced-based approach, which is needed to protect migratory birds in a way that balances these needs with the Canadian economy. It must include workable compliance mechanisms such as incidental considerations. |
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Connecting with European Woodlots |
On May 4th 2022, Pierre-Maurice Gagnon and Vincent Miville, from the Quebec’s Federation of Woodlot Owners, and CFO’s Jean-Pierre Martel met with Mr. Hubert de Schorlemer, President of the Luxembourg Forest Owners Association and member of the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEFP).
Based in Brussels, Belgium, the CEFP represents no less than 16 million European forest owners from 19 countries. The organization plays a role of consultation between the various national associations of forest owners and is a privileged interlocutor to discuss private forest issues with the European Union, both at the level of the various commissions and the parliament.
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Above: Pierre-Maurice Gagnon and Vincent Miville, Quebec’s Federation of Woodlot Owners, Hubert de Schorlemer, President of the Luxembourg Forest Owners Association and member of the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEFP) and CFO's Jean-Pierre Martel. |
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Meritorious Service Medal |
Peter deMarsh is among the 2022 recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal, awarded by the Government of Canada. The Medal recognizes individuals who have carried out meritorious acts bringing benefit and honour to Canada.
“Peter’s passion for sustainable forest management benefitted many in Canada’s forest sector. His tireless advocacy is an inspiration, and the Meritorious Service Medal is proof of his enduring legacy,” said Beth MacNeil, Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Forest Service.
Peter deMarsh was respected across Canada for his work in sustainable forest management. He served as president of the York Sunbury Charlotte Forest Owners Marketing Board and helped to establish the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners in 1977.
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Vincent Miville, Board of Directors, Canadian Forest Owners, with Jog Raj Giri, first recipient of the Peter deMarsh Memorial Bursary. |
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Mr. Jog Raj Giri, President of the Association of Family Forest Owners Nepal, is the first recipient of the Peter deMarsh Memorial Bursary. This scholarship enabled him to attend the 5th World Congress on Agroforestry held in Quebec City from July 17-20, 2022, where he presented the challenges and opportunities facing Nepalese forest owners.
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Christopher Lee Scholarship |
To honour the memory and legacy of Christopher Lee and to celebrate his innumerable contributions to the advancement of social and economic development in communities across Canada, CFO has established the Christopher Lee Memorial Scholarship. The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded each year to a post-secondary student enrolled in a forestry-related discipline at a Canadian university, college or technical school. Deadline for application is June 30, 2022.
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Meet our Executive Director |
If you’ve worked in the Canadian forest industry, you probably know Jean-Pierre Martel. And chances are, Jean-Pierre knows you, too.
“I’ve always been a people-oriented type of a person.” he says. “I think in some cases, when talking to various groups, we set barriers when we don’t need to...”
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