Forests play an important role in Canada's economy. The forest industry produces lumber, pulp and paper, and other forest products worth about $81 billion per year (2004). Over half of this amount is exported internationally.
The industry also provides over 360,000 direct jobs for Canadians. Also, there are almost 500,000 indirect jobs in companies that provide products and services for forestry companies and workers.
The industry also provides over 360,000 direct jobs for Canadians. Also, there are almost 500,000 indirect jobs in companies that provide products and services for forestry companies and workers.
Harvesting Processes
There are several ways to harvest the trees of Canada's forests. The three distinct methods are clear-cutting, shelterwood logging, and selective cutting.
Clear-cutting
This method, which is used in the vast majority of logging operations, is the fastest and cheapest. Loggers remove every tree, leaving a barren landscape behind. Northern forests of pine, spruce, fir, aspen, and poplar are cut in this manner. When the clear-cut area is replanted, the new forest grows up uniformly in species and size. This makes it easier to log this forest in the future when the trees reach maturity. If replanting does not take place, or if it is not successful, less desirable species may grow. As well, the exposed soil may erode, and the land may be damaged. |
Shelterwood Logging
This method involves clear-cutting only part of a forest. Groups of seed-bearing trees are left standing so that their seeds can regenerate the logged area. This is used where tree species, such as white pine, regenerate naturally after major openings in the forest are created. The shelterwood method is often used in forests with trees of uniform age and size. Over time, this method will also regenerate a forest that has trees of varying ages and sizes. |
Selective Cutting
This method consists of harvesting only mature trees of the desired size, type, or quality. This method is much less disruptive to the forest environment. It is used in forests with tree species that need shade to become established. Hardwoods, such as sugar maple, are cut in this manner. Selective cutting tends to be a costly process because of the extra care and time taken to cut down the trees. This method is also costly in the long run because it does not allow the replanting of a new, uniform forest. |
Harvesting Process Information Chart
(Hånell, Nordfjell, & Eliasson, 2010)
As the ecological protection increases, the cost also increases. This is a major reason why the environment is suffering. Companies are not willing to protect the environment, if that means they have to pay more money to do so.
Forest Uses in Canada
Pulp and Paper
Canada is the world's second-largest producer of pulp and paper (after the United States) and the largest exporter. The United States buys more than half of Canada's pulp and paper exports. Although pulp and paper plants are found in every province except Prince Edward Island, they are concentrated in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Since many of the logs from the trees in these provinces are too small to be used for lumber, they are instead used for pulp and paper manufacturing. |
Lumber
Lumber products include raw cut timber, plywood, cedar shingles, particleboard, and chipboard. British Columbia dominates Canada's lumber industry. Cut timber is the major product of British Columbia. British Columbia's tall, knot-free logs are easily unrolled to make layers that are glued together to make sheets of plywood. This is what makes British Columbia Canada's leading plywood producer. Sawmills tend to be much smaller operations than that of pulp and paper mills. Each mill takes advantage of the unique characteristics of the forest that supplies the wood to them, and they each specialize in a specific market. Since 1970, the number of Canadian sawmills has decreased by more than 900 to about 850. New, more efficient large mills with better methods for processing small logs have replaced the old-fashioned mills that were designed for sawing large logs. The new mills reduce waste, and parts of the log that were discarded 30 years ago are now made into paper, particleboard, and chipboard. Even the bark and sawdust are burned to help power the mill. |
Recreation
For many Canadians, especially those who live in cities and towns, the forest is used as a place to get away from the city and relax. Forests, with their lakes and rivers, provide the setting for a wide range of recreational activities, including camping, hiking, canoeing, and fishing. |
Three Issues, Two Views
Clear-cutting
Corporate Viewpoint
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Environmentalist Viewpoint
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Aerial Spraying of Pesticides
Corporate Viewpoint
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Environmentalist Viewpoint
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Global Competition
Corporate Viewpoint
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Environmentalist Viewpoint
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My Opinion
I side with the environmentalist viewpoint on all three issues. Forests are an extraordinary natural resource that Canada is fortunate enough to have in abundance, but it is taken for granted. It is crucial to Canada's economy that we export lumber, but too many environmental issues are being overlooked for this reason. Clear-cutting is truly detrimental to Canada's forests. There are alternatives to clear-cutting, such as selective cutting, that are much more environmentally friendly. Although these alternatives may be more expensive, they will definitely pay off in the long run.
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Unless specified otherwise, all sourced from (Clark, 2006)