Annual Reports
Message from Board Chair
As I reflect on the past year, I must begin by thanking our outgoing President and CEO, François Dufresne, for over a decade of dedicated service to FSC Canada. Under François' leadership, we achieved tremendous progress, including the development and implementation of the National Forest Stewardship Standard - a critical milestone in advancing responsible forest management across our country. We are deeply grateful for the strong foundation he has built for our organization's future.
We now welcome a new era of leadership with the appointment of Monika Patel as our incoming President and CEO. Monika's deep understanding of FSC, both locally and globally, her proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and her unwavering passion for our mission, position us exceptionally well for the years ahead.
Our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan continues to shape and inform our priorities for the next two years, including demonstrating the effectiveness and value of the FSC brand, expanding markets and consumer awareness, increasing the FSC-certified forest area, supporting Indigenous Peoples' rights, and co-creating climate change, community, and ecosystem-based solutions.
Monika's transition into the role of President and CEO, with François remaining as a special advisor, has been seamless. Her wealth of experience, combined with the strategic focus outlined in our plan, positions us for continued growth and impact. I'm excited to continue working alongside Monika, the Board, and the entire FSC Canada team as we build upon our successes in assuring resilient forests for future generations.
- Kalin Uhrich
Chief Forester at Canfor
Board Chair, FSC Canada
Member of the Economic Chamber
By The Numbers | Our Impact
Chain of Custody Certificates
520 Chain of Custody Certificates - up from 510 in 2023
Hectares of Canadian Forest Certified
There are 47,111,814 ha of FSC certified forests in Canada, slightly down from 2023
Message from the President
During my early days as President and CEO of FSC Canada, I was inspired and motivated by the profound responsibility and immense opportunities that lie ahead. The heartbeat of FSC's success—and the blueprint for our path forward—lies in our unique ability to unite diverse stakeholders in creating balanced solutions that serve environmental, social, Indigenous, and economic needs.
Our National Forest Stewardship Standard stands as a testament to our collaborative approach, forging consensus amongst diverse stakeholders to create the gold standard in sustainable forest management.
Today, we are at a critical juncture where climate change and biodiversity loss demand immediate and purposeful intervention.
To drive transformative change, I remain committed to three top priorities:
- Championing climate action by expanding our forest management certifications, with a strategic focus on western Canada;
- Forging new brand and retail partnerships to enable consumers to create meaningful environmental impact; and
- Continuing to support Indigenous Peoples and integrate their knowledge into sustainable forestry, advancing reconciliation through concrete action.
Together, we will elevate FSC beyond its position as the trusted leader in responsible forest management to become a driving force for responsible forest management and climate action in Canada. Our work today will ensure that future generations inherit a world where forests thrive as vital pillars of a sustainable economy.
- Monika Patel
President and CEO of FSC Canada
Highlights from 2024
For full information about each highlight click the 'Learn more' button beneath each story.
FSC Canada's Monika Patel joins judge’s lineup for Samsung’s ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ Contest
Community Forests Deliver on Conservation: Quinte Conservation Contributes 10,357 Hectares to Canada’s Protected Areas Target on International Day of Forests
Groundbreaking study confirms FSC standards are vital for thriving wildlife in tropical forests
Standard Revision: Large Landscapes Learning Video Series Launched
Two online courses on Gender and Diversity in Forestry
Workshop invitation: Labelling and Promoting with FSC
Verified Impact: Nova Scotia
FSC Approves new Group Chain of Custody Eligibility Criteria for Canada
Strategic Objective Recap
The FSC Canada Strategic Plan was created to set our priorities from 2023 to 2027 and continues to guide the objectives for the next two (2) years.
At the core of this plan are the following key strategic priorities:
- Demonstrate the effectiveness and value of the FSC brand
- Expand markets and consumer awareness for FSC-certified products
- Increase the FSC-certified forest area across Canada
- Support the rights and participation of Indigenous Peoples
- Co-create climate change, community, and ecosystem-based solutions
Specific initiatives include:
- Implement a monitoring and evaluation framework
- Grow partnerships and promotional activities
- Provide tools and training to expand the FSC certificate holder base
- Develop an action plan to support Indigenous communities
- Co-create a North American strategy for climate change and ecosystem services
- Strengthen membership engagement, international collaboration, organizational capacity, and communication/reporting
Hectares of Certified Forest by Province
Highlights from 2024
For full information about each highlight click the 'Learn more' button beneath each story.
Westwind Forest Stewardship Win FSC North American Leadership Award
Funding Announcement for Verified Impact
North American Conference
Textile Exchange Conference
FSC and Pirelli at Formula 1 in Austin
Sustainable Mail Group offers exclusive webinar for small printers with FSC and Sustainable Northwest
Celebrating International Women's Day
Romeo Malette Forest Tour
October 2024
Architects, engineers, and sustainability experts recently gathered in the Romeo Malette Forest near Timmins, Ontario in October for an immersive tour hosted by FSC Canada and GreenFirst Forest Products. The goal was to connect these professionals, who work with forest products every day, to the very forests that supply those materials - and to learn from the experts who manage these vital ecosystems.
The diverse group of attendees included representatives from leading architecture and engineering firms Moriyama Teshima, McCallum Sather and Moses Structures, professionals from the University of Toronto, Toronto Society of Architecture, WoodWorks and even TV host Michael Holmes Jr. Retailer Holt Renfrew also sent leaders from its sustainability department to understand the forest products supply chains.
More from the Romeo Malette Forest Tour
FSC Forest Week 2024 Recap
Global Highlights from FSC Week
• More than 1400 Brands, NGOs, and organizations engaged
• Representing 60 countries including Canada (+50% in country participation vs 2023)
• More than 158 million potential users reached
Financials
With thanks to our FSC Canada Board
Cliff Wallis
Alberta Wilderness Association
Board Chair, Environmental Chamber
Lorraine Rekmans
Individual Member
Indigenous Chamber
Etienne Vezina
Resolute Forest Products
Economic Chamber
Louis Begin
Fédération de l’industrie
manufacturière (FIM-CSN)
Social Chamber
Stephanie Seymour
Individual Member
Indigenous Chamber
Louis Belanger
Nature Quebec
Environmental Chamber
Kalin Uhrich
Canfor
Economic Chamber
Cam Shiell
Private and Public Workers of Canada
Social Chamber
With thanks to our FSC Canada Staff
Francois Dufresne
President and CEO (2024)
Monika Patel
Deputy President (2024)
Sean Dolter
Director of Standards
Vivian Peachey
Director of Climate and Landscape Solutions
Bryce Denton
Director of Finance and Operations
Orrin Quinn
Manager, Western Canada
Amy Willox
Manager Climate and Ecosystems Services
Jeff Welch
Market Development Manager
Lauren Chisolm
Standard Development Manager
Social Media Highlights
FSC Canada can be found on a wide variety of social media platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. In 2024, we actively chose to stop updating Twitter.
We regularly share stories from the forest, speak to the impact we have locally and internationally, showcase our incredible partners, and collaborate with a select group of online influencers to amplify these messages.
In 2024, we successfully grew and fostered engagement with our audience across all platforms. Followers grew by 30% total and impressions more than doubled to over 3.4M across all platforms.