CCFM Ministerial Communique – November 15, 2023

THE CANADIAN COUNCIL OF FOREST MINISTERS MET VIRTUALLY TO ADVANCE WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION AND DISCUSS CHALLENGES FACING CANADA’S FOREST SECTOR

By Videoconference, November 15, 2023 – Today Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial forest ministers held discussions at their meeting to address emerging opportunities and ongoing challenges at play for Canada’s forest sector. Ministers were hosted by the current Chair of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, the Honourable Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, Government of British Columbia.

Ministers paid their respects to the firefighters who tragically lost their lives protecting our communities and natural landscapes during this devastating wildfire season. The CCFM Ministers extend their gratitude to every person supporting wildland fire operations in the country for bravely carrying out their duties during these times of tremendous loss.

The CCFM ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a “whole-of-society approach” to wildland fire management with an increased focus on prevention and mitigation activities. To take action in advancing this priority, ministers provided direction on the draft Canadian Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation Strategy, which leverages previous work done through the Canadian Dialogues on Wildland Fire and Forest Resilience.

Ministers also received a progress report on continued work to define forest degradation, including engagement with key partners and Indigenous organizations, to develop a robust, science-based and transparent reporting framework.^[1]

About the CCFM

The CCFM is the primary minister-led intergovernmental forum to come together to discuss and exchange information, provide leadership, and promote action on common forest and forestry-related issues of national and international interest. CCFM is comprised of the forest ministers from the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. It was established in 1985 (www.ccfm.org).

For more information, media please contact:

Nigel McInnis
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Forests
(250) 896-4320
Nigel.McInnis@gov.bc.ca

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^[1] Quebec contributes to the work of the CCFM in accordance with its priorities and within its jurisdiction. In this sense, Quebec is already involved in forest fire prevention and mitigation on its territory and, as such, is a member-observer of the working group aimed at developing a Canadian Wildland Fire Prevention and Management Strategy. Quebec also intends to ensure that its exclusive jurisdiction over forest management and forest management on its territory is respected. Consequently, Quebec is accountable to its population in its exclusive areas of jurisdiction and does not participate in pan-Canadian initiatives that have the effect of limiting its autonomy in forestry matters within its territory. Therefore, Quebec will not be participating in the establishment of indicators or a reporting process to the CCFM on forest degradation.