As the voice of Canada’s forest industry, the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is proud to celebrate National Forest Week in Canada, September 20-26, 2015 and remind Canadians about the economic importance of the forest sector.

National Forest Week is a weeklong celebration of our forests and the vital role they play in the cities and towns across our nation.

“With 10 per cent of the world’s forests, Canada’s forests are an incredible resource,” says David Lindsay, the President and CEO of FPAC. “The forest sector is a vital economic driver in Canada, directly employing more than 230,000 workers in high-quality jobs, many in rural Canada and Aboriginal communities. Canadians can be proud that our forest management practices are internationally recognized as among the most rigorous in the world, ensuring the future of this incredible resource.”

As Forest Week is happening in the midst of an election campaign, FPAC would also like to remind candidates from all political parties about the ongoing importance of the forest sector and its promising future as an innovative contributor to a low carbon bio-economy.

“Canada’s forest industry is an integral contributor to our nation’s environmental reputation, our collective history, the national economy and the social fabric of hundreds of communities across Canada,” says Lindsay. “We call on all political parties to embrace enhanced international trade and strategic support for innovation for the forest sector so it can continue to compete internationally and create jobs and economic growth for the benefit of all Canadians.”

Learn more about the Forest Products Association of Canada at: www.fpac.ca.