PEI Forestry Commission
Towards A New Forest Policy, a discussion paper by the Prince Edward Island Forestry Commission, outlines 13 key issues related to our forests and the forestry sector including the future legislative framework, government assistance to woodlot owners and the forest industry, the protection of forest ecosystems, and the need to develop more resilient forests.
Islanders are invited to provide input on forestry priorities at upcoming public meetings across the province. The public meetings will help the Forestry Commission understand more about Islanders' forestry priorities and the issues facing PEI forests.
What is the Forestry Commission?
In September 2022, post-tropical storm Fiona hit Prince Edward Island with hurricane-force winds, resulting in widespread impacts to Island forests. Government responded quickly by securing the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery and resuming operations, assisting first responders in restoring critical infrastructure, prioritizing areas for wood salvage based on public safety and fire risk, acquiring post-storm satellite imagery, and launching an Emergency Forestry Task Force. The recommendations of the Emergency Forestry Task Force have been received.
In January 2023, Government appointed a Forestry Commission to review PEI’s forest policy, programs and legislation in the wake of Fiona, and develop a Forest Recovery Plan for Prince Edward Island.
Forestry Commission Terms of Reference
- Terms of Reference (170KB)
- Termes de Référence (175KB)
Commission Members
Chair
Jean-Paul Arsenault of Charlottetown. Mr. Arsenault is a fluently-bilingual Islander with extensive forestry, human resources and public policy experience. He assisted with the Round Table on Resource Land Use and Stewardship (1996), The Commission on Land Use and Local Governance (aka Thompson Commission, 2010), and the Commission on the Lands Protection Act (aka Carver Commission, 2013).
Members
- Marcel Arsenault, Abram-village
- Reg Conohan, Cardigan
- Jerry Gavin, Northport
- Matt Hughes, Kelly's Cross
- John MacQuarrie, Charlottetown
- Dr. Kathy Martin, Stanhope
- Keila Miller, Souris
- Krystal Pyke, Charlottetown
- Gary Schneider, Stratford
- Zora Wendt, Breadalbane
- Sarah Wheatley, Suffolk
Forestry Commission Public Meetings Presentations
Charlottetown Meeting - May 14, 2024
- PEI Watershed Alliance
- PEI Watershed Alliance Summary Report
- PEI Watershed Alliance Survey Response Grid
- PEI Woodlot Owners Association Presentation
- Jon Schurman Forestry Commission Speech
- Roger Roy Presentation to the PEI Forestry Commission
Montague Meeting - May 28, 2024
- Ian Petrie Presentation
- Island Nature Trust
- Island Nature Trust Presentation
- Martinus Rose Presentation
Souris Meeting - May 30, 2024
Forestry Commission Reports
- NEW! PEI Forestry Commission Final Report
- Towards a New Forest Policy for Prince Edward Island (12.8MB)
- Document de discussion vers une nouvelle politique forestière pour l’Île‐du‐Prince‐Édouard
- Sustainability of Biomass Utilization Report, 2023 (1.7MB)
- Sustainability of Biomass Utilization Report Executive Summary, 2023 (FR)
- Improving the Success of Hardwood Seedling Production and Establishment
- Improving the Success of Hardwood Seedling Production and Establishment 2023 - Executive Summary (FR)
Forestry Commission Field Tours
- 2023 Field Tours (5.7MB)
Additional Resources
- Auditor General Report, 2023 (1.35MB)
- 2010-2020 Prince Edward Island State of the Forest Report (11MB)
- Prince Edward Island Forest Policy (1.9MB)
- News Release, January 2023
Communications
- West Prince Graphic (May 22, 2024)
- La Voix Acadienne (May 28, 2024)
- La Voix Acadienne (May 28, 2024) FR
Written Submissions
- Written Submission - Rob MacLean
- Written Submission - Ira Smith
- Written Submission - PEI Invasive Species Council
- Written Submission - PEI Watershed Alliance
- Written Submission - Working Forest PEI (Dan Dupont)
- Written Submission - Debbie Gallant
- Written Submission - Ken Miller
- Written Submission - Hillsborough River Association
- Witten Submission - Certified Organic Producers Coop Submission
- Written Submission - Laird Tree Care
- Written Submission - Trudy White
- Written Submission - PEIWOA Commission
- Written Submission - L'nuey
For further information, please contact:
Jean-Paul Arsenault, Chairperson
jean-paul_arsenault@hotmail.com