GPI Atlantic
GPI Atlantic has been delighted to see its forest accounting model extensively referenced both in the Voluntary Planning hearings and in this working paper, and will be more than happy to work with government and concerned citizens and groups on the application of this approach to the health of the Province's forests and to an economically viable and environmentally sustainable forest sector and industry. This balanced approach is, we believe, firmly in accord with the Province's Opportunities for Sustainable Strategy, and with the goals of the 2007 Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act that was unanimously supported in the Legislature.
To clarify two points raised among the 'concerns': The GPI report nowhere advocates a "strictly value added" based forest industry with no other forest based economic activity. Instead, it recommends a shift towards greater value added within the industry, following the Manitoba model and example—where value-added constitutes a significantly more substantial and robust segment of the industry. Secondly—again as the Manitoba model demonstrates—such a shift will by no means "cripple" the industry, but on the contrary has the potential to strengthen it substantially while at the same time ensuring that the health of Nova Scotia’s forests is protected for the benefit of long-term prosperity.
We look forward to the opportunity to contribute further to this process in the near future.
Sincerely,
Ronald Colman, Executive Director, GPI Atlantic
Linda Pannozzo, Senior Researcher, GPI Atlantic