OTTAWA – The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural
Resources, today encouraged Canadians to celebrate National Forest Week
2007.
National Forest Week is September 23 to 29. It is an opportunity for all
Canadians to reflect on the natural beauty of our forests, the biodiversity they
contain and the economic, social and environmental benefits they provide.
"Today, more than 300 communities rely on the forest sector for their
economic and social well-being," said Minister Lunn. "National Forest Week
offers a good opportunity for all Canadians to appreciate the beauty and the
importance of our great forests."
The forest sector contributes $36 billion to Canada's economy and directly
employs 323,000 Canadians. Indirectly, an additional 498,000 Canadians can thank
forests for their jobs.
National Forest Week originated in Forest Fire Prevention Week, which was
established in 1926, and is observed in the last week of September. Renamed in
1967, it now encompasses the many different human and environmental aspects of
Canada's forest resources. The theme of this year's celebrations – Canada's
Forests: Tradition and Transition – focuses on community sustainability.
Canada's New Government actively supports forest-dependent communities
through a number of efforts, including the Forest Communities Program, the First
Nations Forestry Program and the Forest Industry Long-Term Competitiveness
Initiative. In these ways and others, the Government helps create stronger,
healthier and more stable communities.
Additional information on National Forest Week is available on the NRCan Web
site at http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/subsite/nfw.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn today encouraged all Canadians to
celebrate National Forest Week, which falls this year from September 23 – 29.
The forest sector contributes $36 billion to Canada's economy and employs almost
800,000 Canadians.
Media may contact:
Louise GirouardDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the
MinisterNatural Resources CanadaOttawa613-996-2007
The general public may contact:
Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 EDTTelephone: 613-995-0947TTY:
613-996-4397(teletype for the hearing-impaired) E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
NRCan's news
releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
