There has always been a complicated relationship between global forest certification agencies (such as FSC, SFI) and stakeholders. Consumers, environmental groups, forest companies, unions, and local governments are all able to express their priorities and concerns about preserving ecology and other values, making use of the forest resource sustainably, and the economic impact of timber harvesting activity.
The relationship is fraught with politics often driven by regional considerations.
It is puzzling that, in 2016, there should be acrimony arising in Canada. Compared to operators internationally, Canada has among the highest ratio of third-party certified merchantable timberland in the world, and the sustainability standards in Canada are the highest in the world.
Many Canadian forest product companies are certified by more than one agency.
Given that other jurisdictions (Indonesia leaps immediately to mind) are committing outrageous crimes against the environment and local people with their timber management practices, it is difficult to understand why there is suddenly serious drama surrounding certification of forest practices for a large operator in Quebec.
Please see below and Page 9 for details.