Team Fréchette proposes a Forest Pact for the Outaouais

Team Fréchette proposes a Forest Pact for the Outaouais

Team Christine Fréchette wants to review how Quebec manages its forests and give more responsibility to the regions, particularly the Outaouais.

The political party is proposing the creation of a Forest Pact bringing together the regions, the industry, workers, and First Nations. The goal is to find new ways to manage forest resources while maintaining their economic role in communities.

Team Fréchette specifically wants to launch a call for pilot projects soon after the election, allowing regions to test different forestry approaches. The party cites as an example an initiative conducted in the Mauricie region with an Atikamekw community and the company Arbec.

According to Christine Fréchette, this approach would allow for a move away from a one-size-fits-all management style and adapt the rules to the specific realities of each region.

Team Fréchette also wants to establish a National Forestry Initiative. This initiative would bring together various partners to identify the changes needed to make the forest a driver of sustainable and local economic development.

The findings from the pilot projects and the ongoing work would then inform a reform of Quebec’s forestry regime.

The party states its intention to empower the regions, strengthen partnerships with First Nations, and provide greater predictability for workers, contractors, and businesses in the sector.

The forestry industry is also facing significant economic pressures, particularly due to U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber.

To support the sector, the Fréchette team is announcing an additional $144 million. This funding would be used, among other things, to modernize mills, accelerate innovation, support wood construction in Quebec, and better assist forestry contractors.

The party also aims to reduce the sector’s dependence on the U.S. market and increase the value created in Quebec from each harvested tree.

The challenge now will be to determine the extent of this decentralization and its potential concrete benefits for the Outaouais forestry industry.