Canada's boreal forest economy

"Canada's forest economy is heavily dependent on boreal forest resources. Conservative estimates put the contribution of the boreal forest resources to the Canadian forest economy at about $40 billion in revenue and 128 000 jobs, or about 40% of the total forest economy. The boreal region is also home to significant agriculture and mining economies, as well as tourism industries. This region also provides immense environmental and social goods and services, as well as being home to a significant population of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. In the coming years, new challenges and opportunities face the boreal forest-based economies. These challenges originate internally, such as increased demand for environmental and social values, and externally, such as increased competition in international markets. Unfortunately, there are considerable information and knowledge gaps regarding many aspects of the boreal forest economy and society. Economic research in the areas of forest land management, integrated resource land management, forest protection, boreal regional economies, transportation, non-timber forest values, climate change impacts and adaptation, and public policy will help fill some of the information and knowledge gaps. This will enable development of effective public policies and industrial strategies in the areas of resource development, social development and environmental protection to ensure that the boreal forest region continues along a sustainable path."--Conclusion.