The Ministry

“(a) encourage maximum productivity of the forest and range resources in the Province;


(b) manage, protect and conserve the forest and range resources of the Crown, having regard to the immediate and long-term economic and social benefits they may confer on the Province;


(c) plan the use of the forest and range resources of the Crown, so that the production of timber and forage, the harvesting of timber, the grazing of livestock and the realization of fisheries, wildlife, water, outdoor recreation and other natural resource values are coordinated and integrated, in consultation and cooperation with other ministries and agencies of the Crown and with the private sector;


(d) encourage a vigorous, efficient and world competitive timber processing industry in the Province; and,


(e) assert the financial interest of the Crown in its forest and range resources in a systematic and equitable manner.”

The main responsibilities and authorities of the Forest Service are defined in the following provincial legislation:

• Ministry of Forests Act, Revised Statutes, 1979, Chapter 272
• Forest Act, Revised Statutes, 1979, Chapter 140
• Range Act, Revised Statutes, 1979, Chapter 355.

The Forest Service also has administrative responsibilities under the:

• Foresters Act, Revised Statutes, 1979, Chapter 141
• Boom Chain Brand Act, Revised Statutes, 1979, Chapter 33
• Forest Stand Management Fund Act, 1986, Chapter 8.

• grows healthy, productive forests to meet the province’s environmental, social and economic needs
• manages and protects Crown forest land to ensure sustainable development of:
  • timber for the forest industry
  • forage for the livestock industry
  • protection of many other values
• requires reforestation of Crown forest lands
• provides forest recreation, and manages wilderness values in provincial forests
• monitors and enforces field operations to ensure that activities are done in compliance with the terms and conditions under which these operations were approved
• collects resource revenues from Crown forest and range resources through stumpage, royalties, rents and fees
• encourages value-added manufacturing
• conducts research in forest renewal, forest productivity and decision aids, and integrated resource management
• protects the province’s forest and range resources from damage by fire, forest insects and diseases
• maintains a current and accurate inventory of forest and range values
• works with First Nations and industry to increase the involvement of aboriginal peoples in the forest sector
• consults with First Nations to ensure that aboriginal rights are not infringed by forest management activities
• informs various audiences about the Forest Service’s mandate, goals and organizational structure
• ensures the best balance of all resource values, through integrated resource management.

Integrated resource management is a process that:

• identifies and considers all resource values
• assigns resource use and management emphasis based on an evaluation of land and resource management options developed from biophysical, social and economic factors
• is guided by the principles of sustainable use and resource stewardship
• produces a picture of resource uses and priorities for large areas
• selects the best uses for the present, and schedules resource use changes over time.

To achieve integrated resource management, the Forest Service:

• fairly and equitably considers social, economic and environmental factors
• ensures consistency in resource management among government agencies by working cooperatively to deliver integrated resource management programs
• works closely with the public to define land- and resource-use priorities.

• We earn and maintain public trust and confidence through sound program and fiscal management.
• We strive for the wise, balanced use and protection of all forest resources.
• Our employees are our most important asset.
• Employees are:
  • trusted and respected
  • empowered and supported
  • recognized and consulted
  • trained and developed.
• Our actions and decisions contribute to an equitable, safe, healthy and satisfying work environment.
• We work together as a team within and between our functional and geographical boundaries, while respecting each other’s roles.
• We encourage initiative, take risks, learn from our mistakes, and build on our successes.
• We communicate in an appropriate, open, honest and timely manner.
• Our actions match our words; we accept personal accountability for demonstrating integrity.
• We are open and responsive to changing values and concerns.
• We consult with and inform clients.
• We provide high-quality service.

• a 10-year resource analysis describing the conditions, management and future uses of the forest and range resources, which is used in setting informed overall priorities and long-term objectives
• a five-year program, updated annually, that sets the schedules, methods and priorities for forest and range resource management and improvements
• an annual report that reviews the use and management of resources, the effects of the ministry’s programs, and the ministry’s annual performance with respect to the five-year program.

The ministry is structured to:

• effectively manage the resources
• decentralize decision-making to ensure efficient and highly responsive service to ministry clients
• emphasize integrated resource management, and forest product development and marketing
• establish clear line-staff relationships
• ensure the accountability of managers
• achieve excellence through a commitment to employees
• provide an audit approach to management.

• Operations
• Forestry
• Management Services
• Policy and Planning.

Branches are organized within divisions, with the exception of Public Affairs, which reports directly to the deputy minister.

Headquarters: divisions organization

Operations is the only division with regional and district responsibilities.

Forestry Division
The Forestry Division is responsible for the policy framework associated with all aspects of the forest management cycle, including harvesting, engineering, the Forests Practices Code, and the sustainable management of forest, range and recreation resources.

The assistant deputy minister, who is also the chief forester, determines the allowable annual cuts for timber supply areas and tree farm licences.

The deputy chief forester acts on behalf of the chief forester in all matters except:

• signing management plans
• setting allowable annual cuts.

This division has six branches, each headed by a director:

• Resource Planning
• Silviculture
• Forest Inventory
• Research
• Range
• Recreation.

Five branch directors and the manager of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Section report to the assistant deputy minister, who is also the ministry’s executive financial officer.

The branches are:

• Financial Services
• Technical and Administrative Services
• Human Resources
• Audit Services
• Information Systems.

Two branch directors, the manager of the Integrated Resources Section, and the director of the Forest Sector Strategy report to the assistant deputy minister.

The two branches are:

• Corporate Policy and Planning
• Economics and Trade.

Regions: general organization

All forest regions and districts come under the authority of the Operations Division.

Regional staff managers provide advice and services to each regional manager, and to the various district managers, who report to the regional manager. For detailed district information, refer to the organization chart on pages 18 and 19.

Regional office personnel are responsible for servicing, coordinating and monitoring the activities of all field personnel operating out of district offices.

Regional office staff develop regional programs and plans, and ensure that all policies, programs and procedures from ministry headquarters are administered consistently and effectively throughout the region.

Districts: general organization

The organization of a forest district office is shown in the organizational chart on page 23.