Quebec Liberals Pledge Forestry Regime Overhaul Within First Year
MONTREAL – The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has committed too reforming the province’s forestry regime during its first year in office, responding to concerns from forestry workers and regional communities over the current Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government’s approach. The promise comes after a summer marked by protests, including barricades on forest roads, sparked by the proposed reforms.
The PLQ’s commitment aims to address a growing sentiment of abandonment felt by those reliant on the forestry industry, notably in regions like Chibougamau. Party leader Pablo Rodriguez stated the PLQ observed “concern” and a feeling “of being abandoned by the Quebec government” during a recent regional tour. The Liberals intend to build upon existing work and consultations, acknowledging that while the CAQ government “frequently enough not taken into account what was said,” a foundation for betterment exists.
The current CAQ forestry reform faced criticism for failing to adequately consider input from stakeholders. Liberal MP for Pontiac, André Fortin, described the previous attempt as “a total failure that happened on the backs of forest workers,” vowing he “will never forgive the CAQ government for its failure in this matter.”
The PLQ plans to leverage proposals generated during May’s To live from the forest summit in Saguenay, which included forestry workers, First Nations representatives, and outfitter owners, as a “starting point for a much better forestry regime.” The party’s proposed overhaul seeks to address the anxieties of a vital sector and restore confidence in the provincial government’s commitment to Quebec’s forestry regions.
