SASKATOON — Federal, Provincial and Territorial
Forest Ministers have committed to working together to reduce future losses
of life, property and critical forest lands to wildfires. The Canadian Council
of Forest Ministers today unveiled the Canadian
Wildland Fire Strategy Declaration (CWFS), agreeing to develop joint,
cost shared, proposal driven initiatives which could represent significant
investments over the next 10 years. The initiatives that would see comprehensive
and innovative changes to the management of wildland fires in Canada.
The Declaration presents a shared vision and common principles that emphasize
the use of risk management and hazard mitigation, enhancing public safety,
forest protection, and the effective use of funds in managing fires. It emphasizes
a strong, effective fire suppression organization, as well as prevention, preparedness
and recovery activities, and recognizes the important role fire can play in
rejuvenating our forests.
"In recent years we have seen more frequent and intense fires, and a
rising number of homes, cottages, and businesses being built in or near highly
flammable forests," said the Honourable David Forbes, Minister of Environment
for Saskatchewan and Chair of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers. "Sooner
or later, other major disasters like the devastating fires in British Columbia
in 2003 will occur somewhere else in Canada."
"Wildfires have directly threatened more than 700,000 Canadians in more
than 200 communities in the past decade, and therefore pose a serious threat
to public safety," said the Honourable John McCallum, Minister of National
Revenue and Acting Minister of Natural Resources. "Recent natural disasters
have highlighted the benefits of being prepared and this Declaration provides
the catalyst to reduce the threat to public safety, the destruction of property
and the impact on jobs in the forest sector overall."
The Ministers agree that spending money in preparation and mitigation, will
save countless dollars in suppression and disaster relief.
The Declaration recognizes that fire is an essential and vital ecological
process that can sometimes threaten public safety. It proposes to work toward
improved land planning and updated forest management practices, as well as
increased investment in innovation, public education, and building capacity
in local communities.
For more information, media may contact:
Canada — Natural Resources Canada
(613) 992-4447
Ontario — Ministry of Natural Resources
(705) 945-6735
Quebec — Ministry of Natural Resources
and Wildlife
(418) 627-8609
Nova Scotia — Department of Natural Resources
(902) 424-5239
New Brunswick — Department of Natural
Resources
(506) 453-2614
Manitoba — Department of Conservation
(204) 945-0516
British Columbia — Ministry of Forests
and Range
(250) 387-8486
Prince Edward Island — Department of Environment,
Energy and Forestry
(902) 368-5286
Saskatchewan — Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
Alberta — Sustainable Resource Development
(780) 427-8636
Newfoundland and Labrador — Department
of Natural Resources
(709) 729-4715
Yukon — Department of Energy, Mines and
Resources
(867) 667-8065
Northwest Territories — Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
(867) 873-7379
Nunavut — Department of Environment
(867) 975-7700
