As 2011 is history,
has Canada's forest economy improved?
By Melanie Mathieson, RPF

Over the last five to six years we have heard endless statistics with regards to the major economic downturn of the forest sector in Canada. In Ontario alone, during the period from 2004 to 2008, the annual harvesting levels dropped by 43%, which is equal to about 10 million cubic metres per year. During this same period, an average of 11% of forest sector jobs were lost each year. As Ontario's forest sector generates substantial economic benefits for the provincial economy, the shortfall in harvest levels, permanent and indefinite mill closures, and major job losses represented a substantial loss of economic, social, and environmental benefits for many Ontarians.

Although there has been a decline in the forest sector and other industries in Canada, we have generally faired much more positively than our neighbour's to the south and some European countries. The United States has experienced a severe blow to their national economy with a recession that seems to keep on lingering. Yes there were some positive announcements of growth and rebound in some areas of the US in 2011, but not enough to pull the entire country completely out of the recession.

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