Question Period Notes
About this information
In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
The question period notes may be partially or fully redacted in accordance with the legislation; for example, if the notes contain information related to national security or personal information. (Learn more about exemptions and exclusions.)
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Canada’s forest sector remains challenged by fibre supply issues, declining demand for paper, and trade issues - challenges that have been intensified by COVID-19. The Government of Canada continues to support innovation, market diversification and Indigenous-led forest projects to secure jobs in rural and Indigenous communities and advance green economic recovery.
Native and invasive pests pose problems when their severity threatens forest health and productivity and affects commercial and ecological forest values. The Government of Canada is working to minimize the damage caused by forest pests such as the Spruce Budworm, Mountain Pine Beetle, and Emerald Ash Borer.
The severity and magnitude of wildland fires and the length of fire seasons are increasing. Experts in wildland fire science and management expect these trends to continue due to our changing climate. Ongoing wildfires in California and recent record wildfires in Australia and Europe underline the need for national and international collaborations. With the provincial states-of-emergency in BC in 2017 and 2018, and the Fort McMurray fire in 2016, wildfire remains a significant concern for provinces, territories and the public, and continues to receive significant media attention.
Canada’s softwood lumber trade dispute with the U.S. is negatively impacting the forest sector’s competitiveness. The Government of Canada is supporting the forest sector through opportunities in innovation, clean technology and the bioeconomy, to create and sustain good jobs and to enhance the sector’s resilience and competitiveness.
Canada committed to using nature-based solutions to help fight climate change – including planting two billion trees to clean the air and make communities greener. The Government of Canada is working to implement the plan to plant two billion incremental trees over the next ten years.
While the mining industry is a key contributor to Canada’s economic well-being, global trade tensions continue to create uncertainly for the global economy and commodity markets. The Government of Canada will continue to support the mineral industry to ensure it remains competitive.
Canada’s allies are concerned about reliance on non-market economies for the minerals and metals required for their manufacturing and defense industrial bases. The EU, the U.S., Japan and Australia are beginning to consider what steps governments can take in cooperation to secure supply chains and ensure that critical minerals are available for sensitive and high technologies used in global defense, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. Canada has the potential to serve as an important supplier of these “critical minerals” and metals, and to develop associated downstream industries.
The Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP) is a pan-Canadian vision for the future of the minerals and metals sector to help position Canada as the leading mining nation and lay the foundation for lasting success at home and abroad.
Access to – and use of – personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves and gowns are essential to the safest possible restart of the natural resources sectors, and other parts of the economy and society.
Climate change impacts affect Canadians across the country along with the resilience of the natural resources sectors and the communities that depend on them. These impacts will persist, and in many cases amplify over the coming decades. Ambitious action is necessary to reduce risks, build resilience and adapt to take advantage of emerging opportunities.