Minister Pillai attends Canadian Council of Forest Ministers’ meeting in Halifax

Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ranj Pillai met with provincial and territorial ministers at the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers this week in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Ministers discussed several priorities relevant to Yukoners, including promoting competitiveness and innovation in Canada’s forest bio-economy, support for Indigenous partnerships in the forest industry and timely implementation of the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy.

Our government is actively encouraging forest-based sustainable business ventures with Yukon First Nations, promoting the development of Yukon’s bio-energy sector and working to prevent forest fires and mitigate forest fire damage in and around communities. The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers provided an excellent opportunity to share these initiatives as well as discuss forest health and forestry development with Ministers from across the country.

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai

Yukon shares wildland fire resources, expertise and innovation with our partners across the country. It is important that we address the threat of wildland fire through prevention, mitigation and response as outlined in the Canadian Wildland Fire Management Strategy. We support the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers’ work to implement this important national strategy.

Minister of Community Services John Streicker

Quick facts 
  • The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers was established in 1985 to provide a forum for federal, provincial and territorial governments to work cooperatively to address issues of common interest.

  • The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers provides leadership on national and international issues and sets direction for the stewardship and sustainable management of Canada's forests.

  • Approximately 58 per cent of the Yukon’s 47.8 million hectares is forested. Of this, approximately 16 million hectares are considered suitable for forestry purposes.

  • The Government of Yukon issues over 1,100 personal-use fuelwood permits annually. These permits allow a maximum of 25 cubic meters to be harvested by each permit holder. In 2017, there were 88 commercial licensees that harvested a total of 18,143 cubic metres of Yukon timber.

Media contact 

Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7449
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca

Rod Jacob
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-667-3005
rod.jacob@gov.yk.ca

News release #: 
18-192