Meeting with CPAWS

Date: May 5, 2015
​​
Present:
Anita North, BLC
Emma Lehmberg, BLC
Dave Pearce, Wildlands League/CPAWS
Neve X, Wildlands League/Cpaws
with some attendance by Janet Sumner, Wildlands League/CPAWS

CPAWS offices (401 Richmond, Toronto)
Discussion of RSA and moose population decline

Forestry Stewardship Council

• participation in FSC is voluntary on the part of the logging companies
• If BLC is identified as a stakeholder, they’ll have to come by and consult during an audit
• FSC audit is voluntary and occurs each year
• it’s a PR tool for logging companies; gives them ‘green credibility’
• Wabigoon (Domtar) is FSC; English River (Resolute) is most definitely not

• a government audit of SF licensees occurs every five years (all of them at the same time? or rolling, as their Sf licenses come up?)
• as a part of this consortium, participating logging companies have to identify and set aside area to protect and promote conservation (partnership with MNR)

Gathering evidence

• be very specific if making a complaint → must be evidence-based
  • take photos, keep a journal of activity
• always ask for everything in writing
• as a member of FSC, can ask to be present during an audit as an observer (does this also extend to MNR audits?)

Exemptions from the ESA (Ontario)

• logging companies have negotiated an exemption from the Endangered Species Act, citing that the CFSA is enough to protect species at risk
• are required to have a mitigation plan in place for endangered; nothing for threatened or at risk (check)

What Dave has said he’ll look into for us

• whether an independent audit has taken place this year
• when the MNR audit it
• connect Anita with auditors
• any correspondence between Domtar and Anita
• DP to talk to auditors as well