Forest management

Our environmental policy applies to all personnel and service providers and has the following six goals in mind:

• Comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements regarding the environmental aspects of our forestry activities and preserve the forest’s long term ecological integrity
• Comply with requirements in force for each business unit and principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Prevent forest pollution by using forestry products and practices that prevent, reduce, or control pollution
• Train personnel and subcontractors on the importance of their individual roles and the positive or negative impacts they can have on the environment, and make them accountable for their actions
• Set environmental targets and objectives for all forestry operations and functions based on this environmental policy
• Make this policy publicly available

At Chantiers Chibougamau, years of expertise in the boreal forest have shaped a production model designed around the unique characteristics of the resource itself. This approach maximizes efficiency in wood processing and helps ensure optimal use of every log harvested.

Because spruce is typically harvested between 80 and 120 years of age and has a relatively small diameter, the company has developed processes that make it possible to manufacture laminations as small as 25 x 50 mm (1 x 2 in.).

By doing so, Chantiers Chibougamau is able to integrate a high proportion of the wood fibre into production, including canopies and side cuts. These materials, once underutilized, offer valuable mechanical properties. This optimization strategy supports the use of softwood trees of varying sizes and contributes to responsible, efficient forest management.
 

Chantiers Chibougamau applies the principles established by government authorities for sustainable forest management. The company has chosen to go further by committing to Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) forest certification across the majority of its supply territories.

This commitment is reflected in the development of responsible management practices, in collaboration with First Nations communities and other local forest users. Its objective is to reduce environmental impacts and maintain harvesting levels compatible with the forest’s natural renewal cycle in order to preserve its long-term sustainability.

Chantiers Chibougamau’s roundwood supply comes from various sources, including private and public forests in Quebec and Ontario. The company holds forest rights in several forest management units (FMUs) located in Nord-du-Québec, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, and on public lands acts as a beneficiary of supply guarantees granted by the Government of Quebec.

Chantiers Chibougamau’s professionals apply some of the most rigorous recognized practices in forest management. In 2009, their work helped make the company the first private forestry company to obtain FSC Forest Management certification in the boreal forest and the first certified engineered wood supplier in North America.

This recognition is based on the team’s ability to engage in open and respectful dialogue with all communities affected by harvesting activities and to implement forestry techniques that are both sensitive and modern in order to minimize the impact of industrial activities on ecosystems. To carry out its operations, the team of technicians, engineers, and managers relies on a network of partners composed of companies and specialized contractors from the regions and communities where Chantiers Chibougamau operates. Planned field operations include road construction and rehabilitation, harvesting, and transporting wood to processing facilities.

Once harvesting has been completed, government authorities oversee the regeneration of disturbed areas with the intention of ensuring that a forest at least as productive as the one present before harvesting will grow back. Chantiers Chibougamau contributes to this effort by carrying out reforestation work on part of its supply territory. Care taken during harvesting operations helps maximize the potential of existing natural regeneration in order to preserve the forest’s original diverse composition. Where necessary, reforestation is used to give new life to specific forest sectors.

Since April 1, 2013, in accordance with the current forest regime, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF) has been preparing tactical integrated forest management plans (PAFIT) and operational integrated forest management plans (PAFIO), in collaboration with supply guarantee holders for each forest management unit. Based on these plans, Chantiers Chibougamau’s forestry team schedules its forestry activities in a responsible, safe, and environmentally respectful manner.

As part of its planting activities, the company gives hiring priority to students from the Chibougamau area to form seasonal crews, helping them finance their post-secondary education.

In order to harmonize land uses, Chantiers Chibougamau maintains an ongoing dialogue with Indigenous communities and other forest users. The company participates in various meetings and public consultations, particularly through local integrated land and resource management panels (TLGIRTs).

To consult TLGIRT documentation:

Nord-du-Québec

• TLGIRTs of the Eeeyou Istchee Baie-James Regional Government

Abitibi-Témiscamingue

• Témiscamingue TLGIRT (MRC du Témiscamingue)
• Rouyn-Noranda TLGIRT (City of Rouyn-Noranda)
• TLGIRT of the MRC de la Vallée-de-l’Or and MRC d’Abitibi

Comments may be submitted at any time. However, it is recommended that they be submitted during the official public consultation period held by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF).

To consult annual activity schedules: Regional Forest Management Plans and Consultations | Gouvernement du Québec (quebec.ca).

It is also possible to request receipt of Chantiers Chibougamau’s weekly forestry activity notice by contacting us.

For any complaint regarding Chantiers Chibougamau’s forestry activities, please follow the complaint management procedure or the procedure for large-scale disputes.

• Procédure de gestion des différends externes (French only)
• Procédure de gestion des plaintes externes (French only)

For any complaint related to MRNF activities, please consult the MRNF complaint management procedure or submit a complaint online.