The modernization of the forest regime, far from its objectives

The modernization of the forest regime by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, will not reach, in its current version, its objective of ensuring the economic vitality of forest communities, according to the mayors of Bas-Saint-Laurent.

The Minister’s reform recalls dark moments in Bas-Laurentian history to members of the regional table of municipal elected officials from Bas-Saint-Laurent, represented by the prefect of the MRC de la Matanie and mayor of the municipality of Baie-des-Sables, the forest engineer Gérald Beaulieu.

In the 1970s, forestry had played a central role in slowing down the Quebec government which had undertaken to close dozens of villages in the region.

Thousands of citizens had mobilized, under a movement called dignity operations, to save their village from the closure. Forestry had played a major role in maintaining economic activities in these small localities.

We are post-trauma of dignity operations, we do not want to return to these situations where our communities are threatened.

The forest industry is still an economic development tool fundamental For the mayors of Bas-Saint-Laurent. Even today, it remains current to bet on these forests, to maintain economic vitalityinsists Gérald Beaulieu.

The elected officials of the Region therefore propose, in a thesis deposited in the Commission for regional planning on the sidelines of the consultation on Bill 97 aimed at modernizing the forest regime, to institute regional forest management companies.

It is a very important tool that should cause or facilitate changes and social acceptabilityunderlines Mr. Beaulieu since these regional companies would be responsible for applying the forest regime.

These companies would bring together at the same table; the government, the MRCFirst Nations as well as all users of the forestry territory, such as hunters, fishermen and outdoor lovers.

Respect the independence of the chief forester

The proposal of the elected officials of Bas-Saint-Laurent to create regional companies, however, does not remove the government from its responsibilities, on the contrary.

They ask the minister to exercise her political power to establish the areas of the public forest which will be dedicated to conservation, multi -pesting activities and forest development. It is the responsibility of the government, it is its areasadds Mr. Beaulieu who believes that it is up to the state to manage the public forest.

With the modernization of the forest regime, the delimitation of the public forest, that is to say the division of its zoning, is based on the chief forest of Quebec, the equivalent of the general auditor of the forest.

This situation is likely to harm the independence of its function, according to elected officials Bas-Laurentians. We do not want to politicize the role of the chief forester, we need this neutral expertexplains Mr. Beaulieu.

The role of the chief forestry must remain that of being an independent expert who supports the government in the development of targets for the production of wood material, in other words, wood cuts. The chief forestry must also verify that the works of development in the forest, such as the planting of trees, fulfill their objectives.

Live well from the forest

Bas-Laurentian elected officials believe that members of the Caquist government’s office must, beyond the reform of the forest regime, be aware of the importance of improving the conditions of employment of forestry workers.

A pilot project led by the Quebec government between 2020 and 2024 in Bas-Saint-Laurent to improve the salary conditions and social benefits of forestry workers had been conclusive. However, this project was not renewed, which aroused criticism in the region.

Bas-Laurentians’ elected officials suggest that the Minister benefit from forestry workers to modernize the regime.