Lesson 5: The General Public

The Canadian public owns the majority of Canada's forests and thereby plays a crucial role in how forests are managed. We have an important role in expressing environmental, economic, and social/cultural concerns.

In the last few decades, the level of public participation in forest management has increased significantly. This is appropriate, given the fact that the vast majority of this country's forests are publicly owned.

Today, forest management planning and decision making must incorporate the views of all Canadians and respect Indigenous and treaty rights. In other words, forest managers and policy makers are now required to consult all interested parties when formulating plans, strategies, and legislation.

These parties may include First Nations, environmental groups, other industries, academics, recreational forest users, and community representatives.