Wood Preservation Canada - Canada's Forest Resource

Canada's Forest Resource

Our Renewable Forest Resource

Canada's forests are one of our greatest assets. Forests cover about 418 million hectares and generate more than 850,000 direct jobs. The annual allowable cut is approximately 968,000 hectares, which is less than one quarter of one percent of Canada's forests. The forest sector is a critical component of the Canadian economy. It is in the best interest of both industry and consumers to ensure that this valuable renewable resource is utilized on a sustainable basis.

The majority of Canada's forests are managed by forest companies through licenses and agreements that include the responsibility for regenerating and maintaining the forest resource. This involves large expenditures on forest management and regeneration by individual companies to ensure these obligations are met. In 1993, a total of $2.4 billion was spent on managing and renewing Canada's forests. This resulted in the planting and seeding of approximately 450,000 hectares as well as site preparation and maintenance of an additional 765,000 hectares.

This level of commitment helps ensure that Canada's forests are being maintained on a sustainable basis and that there will continue to be a steady supply of material suitable for utility poles. The wood preservation industry helps relieve the pressure on our forest resource by extending the service life of wood poles by 10 to 20 times when they are properly treated with effective preservatives.

The two wood preservatives commonly used to treat poles, chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and pentachlorophenol (Penta), are effective on all species that are specified by utility companies. This gives utility companies the flexibility to use the most economic species for poles, while allowing species that are in high demand, such as cedar, to be used not only for poles but by other sectors of the industry for higher value-added products.

Environmental Protection

In 1995, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act became law, and under this act both mill and forestry operations were given full responsibility for the effects of their operations on the environment. In addition, many of the provincial governments have also enacted their own legislation to ensure the sustainability of the forest in an environmentally responsible manner.

In addition to government efforts, individual companies and industry associations have committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner. This is demonstrated by organizations adopting environmental policies and procedures for operating in the forest.

By working together, government and industry will properly manage a truly "renewable" resource which will supply utility poles for the future.