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 Canada has by its actions  demonstrated that a balance of environmental, economic and social values of forests can be achieved through sustainable forest management. Canada's forests are not only fundamental to our health and environment but their sustainable management is also essential to the economic and social well being of thousands of Canadians and hundreds of communities. Canada's forests account for ten percent of the world's total forest land base, resulting in a global awareness and interest in how we utilize and manage this bountiful and valuable resource. Canadians are committed to responsible stewardship on behalf of present and future generations.Internationally Canada has been a leader in promoting the need for sustainable forest management throughout the world by participating in many initiatives relative to key forest issues such as the Kyoto Accord on global warming. Canadian federal and provincial governments have made significant progress in recent years to ensure our forests are managed in a truly sustainable manner Forest legislation has been strengthened, codes of practice have been implemented and large areas of forest land have been placed under protection in their natural state. |
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| The move toward sustainable forest management is particularly evident in the Province of British Columbia. The Forest Practices Code of British Columbia was adopted in 1995 and requires the most stringent forest practices requirements in the world. In 1996 the Provincial Chief Forester completed a comprehensive review to ensure that the timber harvest levels were sustainable in order to provide a sustainable supply of products. In order to protect forest lands in their natural state for future generations British Columbia has created a park system for more than 10 million hectares an area that is greater than 25 per cent of Japan's total land area or almost equal to 1/2 the area of Honshu. There are more trees growing in British Columbia now than there were 100 years ago. Western Hemlock and Amabilis fir are difficult to distinguish visually in lumber form and are marketed together. The wood is light in color with a pinkish to reddish-brown tinge. The annual rings are distinct and the transition from earlywood to latewood is subtle. It has a straight, even grain with a medium to fine texture. Physical properties for both species are similar. The wood is moderately hard and strong with high bending strength, shear strength and stiffness. It is slightly resistant to decay and very easy to treat. Pacific Coast Hemlock dries slowly, holds its shape well during the process, and exhibits little tendency to check. It machines satisfactorily, sands smoothly, glues easily, and has high nail and screw holding ability. Its painting and staining characteristics are very good. 
 British Columbia is one of the most biologically diverse and resource rich areas in the world. Productive forests cover almost half of British Columbia's total provincial land base of 94.8 million hectares. More than half of the forested area has had little or no human disturbance. Approximately 26 million hectares of the productive forest area is mature or old growth forest British Columbia's forests are publicly owned and their use is tightly controlled by a provincial licensing and regulatory system. The forest resources are a vital part of our environment, economy, health and social well being, As a. province we have taken major steps to ensure forest management practices sustain not only our tremendous forest resource, but also our water, fish and wildlife resources for many generations to come.  British Columbia is committed to protecting vast areas of its unique natural environment for future generations. Many of the province's diverse areas are now permanently protected and significant additional areas will be added in the next few years. The total protected area in British Columbia now exceeds 10.4 million hectares or 11 per cent of the province, an area that is almost equal to the size of Honshu. The protection of old growth forests is an important component of the province's Protected Area Strategy. Total old growth forests that have been specially protected is greater than 3.2 million hectares. More forest area has been preserved for future generations than any other country in the world while maintaining the ability to remain a committed and long-term supplier of forest products. |
