As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations, which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Based on evidence from a wide range of experts from government, Indigenous organizations, industry and civil society, the committee recommends the following:

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada work with industry, research institutions, Indigenous governments and communities, and provincial/territorial governments to sustain and improve Canada’s forest management policies and practices, by:

a)  continuing to study, address and adapt to short- and long-term climate change impacts, including forest fires, pest infestation and variations in forest temperatures and biodiversity;

b)  maintaining sustainable forest management policies and practices, according to the most recent scientific evidence; and

c)  supporting innovation in forest operations, including harvesting practices that maximize the utilization of unused, underused and/or at-risk forest resources, within the allowable harvesting limits.

Recommendation 2

That the federal government work with Indigenous governments and communities, as well as industry, research institutions and provincial/territorial governments, to develop policies and programs that encourage more investment in value-added manufacturing, including targeted and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous businesses that harvest value-added products and standing forests.

Recommendation 3

That the federal government work with industry, research institutions, Indigenous governments and communities, and provincial/territorial governments to improve the economic competitiveness and innovative capacity of value-added manufacturing in the Canadian forest sector, by:

a)  supporting regional forestry clusters that integrate primary, secondary and tertiary value-added supply chains; 

b)  investing in talent and skills development programs, especially in rural areas, including targeted and/or culturally appropriate programs for women, Indigenous peoples and minorities;

c)  providing financial incentives to support the development of transformative forest product innovations and low-carbon products and technologies with high economic potential, especially through the commercialization gap;

d)     developing performance-based standards and favouring policies that prioritize public safety, cost competitiveness and greenhouse gas emission reduction, according to the most recent scientific evidence and industry market research; and

e)  supporting workforce development initiatives, including industry skills development and industry-specific regional immigration programs and policies to allow for long-term regional sustainability.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada work with industry, Indigenous governments and communities, and provincial/territorial governments to support biofuel projects in diesel-dependent, off-grid communities, including targeted and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous peoples. 

Recommendation 5

That the federal government continue to facilitate the market access of Canadian forest products in domestic and international markets:

a)  through market-access policies, such as the Expanding Market Opportunities and Green Construction through Wood programs (or similar programs);

b)     through government procurement policies, such as Bill C-354, An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood) – at the date of tabling of this report, the last stage completed by Bill C-354 was Concurrence at Report Stage in the House of Commons;

c)  by supporting the research and development of value-added product applications (i.e., “market pull” strategies), in collaboration with industry, Indigenous governments and communities, and/or provincial/territorial governments; and

d)     by continuing to promote Canadian forestry products, technologies and practices in international trade missions.