Manage Our Forests Better, Make Better Use of Our Timber
Dolbeau-Mistassini, on September 20, 2026 — Charles Milliard, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, is presenting today his vision for Quebec’s forestry sector, aimed at better managing our forests, increasing the value of our timber, and creating more wealth in our regions.
At the heart of this vision, a Liberal government will introduce a bill to modernize the forestry regime in its first year. The reform will aim to provide greater predictability for the entire industry, simplify planning, bring decision-making closer to the regions, better utilize the timber available on private lands, and ensure the sustainability of silvicultural practices.
“Our forest is an immense asset for Quebec and for our regions. Our goal is for our timber to provide jobs for more Quebecers, right here at home. This requires more predictable management that’s closer to the regions, as well as more processing in Quebec and more Quebec timber in our own projects. We want to make our forests a true strategic asset for our economy.” — Charles Milliard, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party
Making Better Use of Our Wood in Quebec
The Quebec Liberal Party wants to make greater use of the government’s purchasing power to support the entire Quebec wood value chain. In its construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects, Quebec wood products will be systematically considered whenever they represent an appropriate solution. This approach will be incorporated, in particular, into the commitment to build 100,000 housing units.
Another goal is to increase processing in Quebec by promoting secondary and tertiary processing, higher-value-added products, and better use of byproducts.
Giving Private Forests Their Rightful Place
A Liberal government will reaffirm the principle of residuality to ensure that the timber available in private forests is fully considered before turning to public forests. It will also work to create more market opportunities for this timber and, together with forest producers and municipal partners, to better harmonize the rules governing the management of private woodlands.
More details:
1. Modernize and regionalize forest management
A Liberal government will introduce, during its first year in office, a bill aimed at modernizing the forestry regime. This reform will be based on consultations to increase predictability, simplify planning, reaffirm the principle of residuality by utilizing wood available on private forests, protect the sustainability of forestry, and better adapt forest management to climate change.
The reform of the forestry system will also need to bring decision-making closer to the regions and the field. Quebec will retain overall policy direction and accountability for the management of public forests, but more planning and coordination will need to be carried out at the regional level to better reflect local realities. This governance structure must include the various forestry stakeholders, as well as First Nations, from the outset.
2. Recognize forests and timber as strategic assets of Quebec
A Liberal government will recognize Quebec’s timber as a strategic resource. This recognition must be reflected in the government’s broad economic policies, particularly in the areas of economic development, energy transition, and regional development.
Quebec’s forest products, in all their forms, must therefore be fully taken into account in Quebec’s industrial and economic strategies. The goal will no longer be merely to harvest and process wood, but to maximize the value created in Quebec, particularly through the development of higher-value-added products and better utilization of all forest resources.
3. Increase the use of Quebec timber and process more of it in Quebec
A liberal government will further integrate the entire Quebec wood value chain into its Quebec procurement policy and major projects. The government must lead by example by systematically considering products from this value chain—from lumber to engineered wood beams and panels, prefabricated components and structures, panels, flooring, doors, moldings, stairs, built-in furniture, and even cabinets manufactured in Quebec, in its construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects whenever they represent an appropriate solution. This effort will be closely linked to our commitment to build 100,000 housing units per year.
Another goal will be to increase processing in Quebec. By supporting secondary and tertiary processing, value-added products, and better use of byproducts, Quebec will be able to generate more wealth from its available resources and reduce its dependence on external markets.
We will also work to create more opportunities for wood from private forests by incorporating it more fully into our Quebec procurement policy and our major projects. This approach aims to promote the use of available timber, support forest producers, and increase the processing of this resource in Quebec.
4. Strengthen the competitiveness of the entire forestry sector
A Liberal government will create an environment more conducive to investment, productivity, and innovation throughout the forestry sector. This will be achieved through greater supply predictability, reduced red tape, and conditions that enable companies to modernize their equipment, automate their operations, and develop new products.
In addition, a Liberal government will work with forestry producers and municipal partners to provide a clearer, more predictable, and more consistent regulatory framework for the management of private woodlands.
The goal will be to better harmonize regulations, reduce duplication and inconsistencies, and facilitate the sustainable management of private forests, while respecting municipal autonomy.
