Supported by all of the controlled harvesting zones (zec) in Quebec, we, the representatives of the 11 zecs in the Mauricie region, would like to express ourselves today in a spirit of fairness and territorial sharing. For several years, we have been playing the game of the forest harmonization process established by the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (MFFP) and its current representative, Minister Pierre Dufour, but we have to admit that the interests of forestry industry are privileged to the detriment of those of Quebecers.
Posted yesterday at 9:00 a.m.
This process leaves us with a bitter taste. We have fought and obtained trifles compared to the volume of wood cut and its economic value which remains constantly on the rise. The cutting plans do not consider the recreational tourism and ancestral assets necessary to ensure a sufficient legacy for future generations. Like the Atikamekw Nation, the Quebec Outfitters Federation, the Order of Forest Engineers of Quebec and many others, we denounce the current forest regime.
Many users and managers of zecs feel that the territory is being devastated by forestry companies brandishing their authorization obtained legitimately by the government in power. This without considering that several signatures of “harmonization agreements” were obtained with wear and tear by the breathlessness of the volunteers and the little people. Indeed, the dice seem to us mostly played in advance, even before the consultations begin…
We are not opposed to economic development through forestry and are aware of several advantages. However, this development can no longer be done to the detriment of biodiversity, the fight against climate change and taking into account the development of other activities on the territory of the zecs. We are currently observing too much pressure from forest cutting and a poor distribution in time and space of this cut. The argument of greater accessibility to the territories has, for its part, contributed to the multiplication of entry routes, making the protection and conservation of wildlife increasingly difficult.
The protection of animal habitats and aquatic environments must be among the priorities of the MFFP, as must ensuring a quality experience for forest users.
While the MFFP could show itself as a leader, a guide, a protector of our resources and our values, we find that it is hungry for royalties from the industry and on the payroll of the big forest companies. We are sorry to see that the forest is primarily exploited as a huge industrial area. Recreational tourism, Aboriginal occupation, protected areas and wildlife species have become nuisances in the development of cutting plans and forest strategies developed by the MFFP, while the law on sustainable development specifies that these should be values to be optimized in the context of wood production.
The consultation process, through the integrated resource and land management tables, has stagnated for several years. The MFFP is judge and master in decisions. The projects selected are those that do not influence the volume and cost of timber harvesting. The table should play a decision-making role through consultation and all discussions having an impact on allowable cuts and government royalties should be the subject of an independent committee.
We believe that the mandate of the chief forester and the allowable cut in Quebec must be reviewed in order to take better account of the values of current society and of economies other than that of logging. Especially since the development of recreational tourism activities is essential on the territory of the zecs.
These requests are made in order not to compromise the mission of the zecs for which they were created and in order to ensure their self-financing. Simple measures such as the protection of 100 meters surrounding sites of interest and vacation leases and the cessation of forestry activities during the moose hunt demonstrated our government’s willingness to recognize the importance of our forest which belongs to all Quebecers. This would greatly contribute to the social acceptability of logging on the territories of the zecs.
* Co-signatories, presidents of zecs in the Mauricie region: zec Tawachiche: Michel Pellerin; zec Straw Hat: Jessy Melançon; Zec Gros-Pike: Michel Samson; Zec Wessonneau: Alain Beaumier; zec Frémont: Julie Blais; Zec La Croche: Pierre Claveau; Zec Borgia: Paul Naud; zec Menokeosawin: Luc Marchand; Zec Kiskissink: Nicolas Brosseau; Zec Bessonne: Michel Morand; Zec Jeannotte: Yves Nolin