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Researchers and advocates have long argued that on-going engagement by broad segments of the public can help make forests and forest-based communities more sustainable and decisions more enduring. In Canada, public engagement in sustainable forest management has primarily taken one of two approaches: advisory forums through forest-sector advisory committees (FACs) and direct decision-making authority through community forest boards (CFBs). The purpose of this paper is to compare these two approaches by focusing on who participates and the values that participants bring to their deliberations. We conducted a national survey of FACs and CFBs involving 402 participants. Results showed that both models favoured well-educated, Caucasian men and fell short on the representation of women and Indigenous peoples. Additionally, despite different levels of authority in relation to forest management decisions, participants in CFBs and FACs shared similar forest values. Hence, we conclude that neither model of forest governance encourages participation from a diverse public. Our findings suggest the need to find new ways of recruiting diverse participants and to investigate more deeply whether local and extra-local pressures and power dynamics shape these processes. Such information can inform the establishment of more robust institutions for decision-making in support of sustainable forest management. Key words: community forest boards, forest advisory committees, values, representation, sustainable forest management. Les chercheurs et les partisans soutiennent depuis longtemps que l'implication continue de larges segments du public peut contribuer a rendre les forets et les communautes forestieres plus durables et les decisions plus eclairees. Au Canada, l'engagement du public dans l'amenagement durable des forets a surtout pris l'une ou l'autre des deux approches suivantes: des forums consultatifs grace aux comites consultatifs du secteur forestier (CCF) et des structures de prises de decisions directes par le biais de conseils forestiers communautaires (CFC). Le but de cet article est de comparer ces deux approches en se concentrant sur la nature des participants et les valeurs qu'ils vehiculent dans leurs deliberations. Nous avons mene une enquete nationale aupres de 402 participants concernant les CCF et les CFC. Les resultats ont montre que les deux approches favorisent la participation des hommes caucasiens ayant un niveau d'education eleve, mais ne representent pas les femmes issues des communautes autochtones. De plus, malgre les differents niveaux d'autorite en lien avec les decisions d'amenagement forestier, les participants dans les CCF et des CFC partagent les memes valeurs forestieres. Par consequent, nous concluons qu'aucun des modeles de gouvernance forestiere n'encourage la participation d'un public diversifie. D'apres nos resultats, il est necessaire de trouver de nouvelles approches de recrutement pour assurer une diversification de la participation et d'etudier plus en profondeur si des pressions locales ou externes et les dynamiques de pouvoir influencent ces processus. Ces informations peuvent aider a la mise en place d'institutions plus robustes pour la prise de decisions en lien avec l'amenagement durable des forets. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: conseils forestiers communautaires, comites consultatifs du secteur forestier, valeurs, representations, amenagement durable des forets., Introduction The conditions and practices supporting public engagement in forest governance have been a long-term focus for researchers (e.g., Sinclair and Smith 1999; Sinclair and Lobe 2005; Teitelbaum et al. [...]

Public advisory committees (PACs) are a dominant form of public participation in Canada's Crown forests, providing a venue in which members of the local public can engage and influence sustainable forest management decision-making. In this paper, we examine the experiences of Indigenous participants (relative to non-Indigenous participants) concerning the success of PAC processes. We focus on issues of fairness, equity, and inclusion of Indigenous voices along with an assessment of forest values diversity. Findings from surveys in 2004 and 2016 indicate statistically significant differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous PAC members regarding their forest values and their evaluation of the success of PAC processes. This work draws attention to the relative experiences of survey participants and the identification of persistent challenges associated with public engagement over the last two decades. Policy recommendations include substantial changes to how we define and measure sustainable forest management in Canada. Key words: public participation, forest governance, Aboriginal forestry, sustainable forest management, decentralization. Les comites consultatifs publics (CCP) representent la principale forme de participation du public a la gestion des forets publiques au Canada, offrant une plateforme aux membres des communautes locales afin qu'ils puissent s'impliquer et influencer les decisions d'amenagement durable des forets. Dans cet article, nous etudions l'experience de participants autochtones (comparativement aux participants non-autochtones) en lien avec le succes des processus des CCP. Une attention est portee aux enjeux de justice, d'equite et d'inclusion des voix autochtones au cours du processus, et a une evaluation de la diversite des valeurs forestieres. Les resultats de sondages faits en 2004 et en 2016 demontrent une difference statistiquement significative entre les membres autochtones et non-autochtones des CCP selon leurs valeurs forestieres et leur evaluation du succes des processus des CCP. Ce travail attire l'attention sur l'experience relative des participants aux sondages et sur la persistance des difficultes associees a la participation du public au cours des deux dernieres decennies. Les recommandations politiques incluent des changements majeurs dans la maniere dont nous definissons et mesurons l'amenagement durable des forets au Canada. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: participation du public, gouvernance forestiere, foresterie autochtone, amenagement durable des forets, decentralisation., Introduction Public advisory committees (PACs) are a dominant form of public participation in Canada's Crown forests (Parkins et al. 2006). PAC members are selected from local interest groups and are [...]

Social impact assessment (SIA) is increasingly an accepted component of environmental impact assessment and project evaluation throughout North America. Tools and methodologies utilized to conduct such assessments vary greatly and continue to evolve with time and experience. This paper follows the evolution of case study methods in social impact assessment, focusing primarily on the comparative diachronic method. Exploring the utility of this method, this paper compares the potential social and economic impacts of the Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP) in the community of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, with the known social and economic impacts of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) in the community of Valdez, Alaska. Through such comparison, insights into potential impacts from the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project are assessed while also drawing attention to, and discussing, the specific strengths and weaknesses of a comparative case study approach to social impact assessment.

The media play a key role in communicating risk issues and serve as a link between experts and the public. In this study, we explore experts' perspectives on the role of the media and media content with respect to a mountain pine beetle (MBP; Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) epidemic in western Canada. We collected data using an internet-based survey of 59 MPB experts in 2009 and 1628 articles from local, regional, and national newspapers from 2000 to 2008. Survey findings show that experts do not have a favourable view of media reporting of MPB. In our media analysis, we found that the media are used effectively by experts to disseminate MPB risk information and to justify a swift response and control measures. Most articles reported information presented to them by government and industry. We conclude that the media played primarily an educational role and gave limited attention to fostering public dialogue on MPB management. Key words: experts, media framing, mountain pine beetle, natural disturbance, risk communication. Les medias jouent un role cle pour faire connaitre les questions relatives aux risques et servent de lien entre les experts et le public. Dans cette etude, nous explorons le point de vue des experts sur le role des medias et leur contenu en lien avec l'epidemie du dendroctone du pin ponderosa (DPP; Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) dans l'ouest du Canada. Nous avons recueilli des donnees a l'aide d'un sondage par internet aupres de 59 experts du DPP en 2009 et de 1628 articles publies dans des journaux locaux, regionaux et nationaux de 2000 a 2008. Les resultats du sondage montrent que les experts n'ont pas une vision favorable des reportages mediatiques sur le DPP. Dans notre analyse des medias, nous avons trouve que les experts utilisent efficacement les medias pour disseminer l'information au sujet des risques associes au DPP et pour justifier une reponse rapide et des mesures de lutte. La plupart des articles ont rapporte l'information fournie par le gouvernement et l'industrie. Nous concluons que les medias ont surtout joue un role educatif et qu'ils ont peu cherche a favoriser un debat public sur la gestion du DPP. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: experts, presentation mediatique, dendroctone du pin ponderosa, perturbation naturelle, communication du risque., Introduction The media are recognized as key players in communicating risk issues and shaping public discourse. They serve as brokers of information between experts and the public (i.e., interpreting complex [...]

The well-being of residents of resource dependent communities is a question of traditional interest to rural sociologists. The label "resource dependent" obscures how this relationship may vary between particular resource industries, regions, or indicators of well-being. Few analyses have compared the relationship between well-being and resource dependence across different industries, nor tested competing theories about the relationship between resource dependence and well-being. Our paper presents an overview of the relationship between resource dependence agriculture, fisheries, mining, energy, forestry and human well being in Canada. Analysis of 1996 Statistics Canada data revealed a great deal of variation in the effect of "resource" dependence on indicators of well-being (e.g., human capital, unemployment, income): some industries exhibit fairly positive outcomes (e.g., agriculture), others more negative outcomes (.g., fishing). Consistent with analyses conducted in the United States, these relationships vary by region, suggesting the need for models that incorporate the particulars of place and industry.

Informed by the literature on energy justice and community-owned energy, this study explores perspectives on Indigenous-owned renewable energy in Alberta, Canada. Amidst a pro-oil political and economic environment, several Indigenous-owned renewable energy projects are underway in Alberta. From indepth interviews with 22 key informants who develop, fund, and champion Indigenous-owned renewable energy projects, we explore perspectives on the meanings and significance of ownership and respond to the possibilities and challenges of Indigenous ownership. Specifically, we explore how Indigenous ownership is defined and understood, and examine the possibilities and limits of Indigenization within and beyond renewable energy. Results indicate that equity ownership is critical to rewriting legacies of disenfranchisement. Amidst these views we note important insights about the risks associated with 'pilot project syndrome' and the need to ensure that projects are not just community-owned but are also community-led. Results also indicate flexible perspectives on Indigenous engagement with the energy sector, indicating ongoing interests in renewable and non-renewable energy projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding perceptions of risks, awareness, and trust in management agencies is critical to effective management of large-scale forest insect disturbance. In this study, we examined regional variation in public perceptions of risk, compared public and land managers' perceptions, and examined knowledge and trust as factors in shaping public perceptions of a mountain pine beetle (MPB) (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) infestation. Survey data were collected from residents (n = 1303) in three regions of Alberta and from land managers (n = 43) responsible for MPB management. Results showed that residents had moderate or great concern for MBP risks, they were not well informed about MPB, and they showed slight trust in the provincial government and forest industry to manage the beetle. There was regional variation in perceptions of risks, knowledge, and trust. Land managers were less concerned about nontimber effects and had higher trust than the public. A positive correlation between trust and risk perceptions appears to contradict the risk literature. This relationship may be influenced by an intervening effect of knowledge. These results call for more attention to the content of risk messaging and the effects of trust and knowledge on the general public who take up these messages. Resume: Il est essentiel de comprendre la perception des risques, le niveau de conscientisation et le degre de confiance dans les organismes de gestion pour gerer efficacement les perturbations a grande echelle causees par les insectes forestiers. Dans cette etude, nous avons examine la variation regionale de la perception des risques par le public, compare la perception du public et celle des gestionnaires et examine les connaissances et la confiance en tant que facteurs qui faconnent les perceptions du public concernant l'infestation du dendroctone du pin ponderosa (DPP) (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins). Des donnees d'enquete ont ete collectees aupres de residents (n = 1 303) dans trois regions en Alberta et de gestionnaires (n = 43) responsables de la gestion du DPP. Les resultats montrent que les residents etaient moderement a tres preoccupes par les risques que represente le DPP, qu'ils n'etaient pas bien informes au sujet du DPP et qu'ils avaient peu confiance dans le gouvernement provincial et l'industrie forestiere pour la gestion du dendroctone. La perception des risques, les connaissances et la confiance variaient selon les regions. Les gestionnaires etaient moins preoccupes par les effets non relies a la matiere ligneuse et avaient une plus grande confiance que le public. Une correlation positive entre la confiance et des perceptions des risques semblent contredire la litterature portant sur les risques. Cette relation peut etre influencee par un effet du a l'intervention des connaissances. Ces resultats suggerent qu'on accorde plus d'attention au contenu du message concernant les risques et aux effets de la confiance et des connaissances sur le grand public qui recoit ces messages. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Recently, North America has experienced some of the largest and most severe forest insect disturbances in recorded history (Bentz et al. 2010). Available host species and climate suitability suggest [...]

Although the public advisory committee has become a very common tool for involving local people in forest management decisions, it does not necessarily broaden the base of public input and may simply replicate the challenges of access, representation, and capacity to participate that are found in wider society. As a category of social exclusion, this study explores why women are significantly underrepresented on forest management advisory committees in Canada and how these committees function as gendered units. Research involved 25 semistructured interviews with members (and former members) of two forest management advisory committees: Tembec in Manitoba and NewPage in Nova Scotia. The strongest evidence in our study suggests that these committees operate within male-dominated institutions and particular masculine norms that are simply taken for granted. Thus, social relations based on gender often go unacknowledged. Findings also showed that the lack of critical mass of women often limited the active participation of the small number of women involved in committee activities. Our empirical observations suggest that unless we attend to gender when involving communities in establishing strategies for forest management, we will reinforce gender disadvantage and exclusion and overrepresent industrial and utilitarian interests of forestry over other community and ecocentric values. Resume: Bien que les comites directeurs soient devenus des outils de participation du public auxquels on recourt de plus en plus afin d'inclure les populations locales dans le processus decisionnel en amenagement forestier, cela n'elargit pas necessairement la contribution du public et peut simplement reproduire les defis qu'on retrouve a la grandeur de la societe concernant l'acces, la representation et la capacite a participer. Sous le theme de l'exclusion sociale, cette etude explore pourquoi les femmes sont fortement sous-representees dans les comites directeurs en amenagement forestier au Canada et comment ces comites fonctionnent en tant qu'entites sexuees. La recherche s'appuie sur 25 entrevues semi-dirigees avec des membres (et ex-membres) de deux comites directeurs en amenagement forestier, soit ceux de Tembec au Manitoba et de NewPage en Nouvelle-E cosse. Le constat le plus manifeste de notre etude indique que ces comites fonctionnent dans le cadre d'institutions a predominance masculine et ou des normes masculines particulieres sont tout simplement prises pour acquises. Ainsi, les relations sociales fondees sur le genre passent souvent inapercues. Les resultats montrent aussi que l'absence de masse critique feminine limite souvent la participation active du petit groupe de femmes qui collaborent aux activites de ces comites. Nos observations empiriques indiquent que, faute de considerer le genre dans la contribution des communautes lors de l'etablissement des strategies d'amenagement, le desavantage envers les femmes et l'exclusion seront renforces alors que les interets industriels et utilitaristes seront surrepresentes au detriment des autres communautes et des valeurs eco-centriques. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction The state of forest management is currently the subject of a highly charged debate in Canada. At the heart of this controversy is the tension between the environmental, social, [...]