The Canadian government through its Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources recently published on its website for the first time several government studies and statistics, detailing the performance of the overall forest industry—some specifically addressing the pulp and paper industry, in the nation’s province of Quebec. The province was reported to be responsible for exactly one third (33%) of Canada’s overall pulp and paper capacity and production.  

 

Québec produces two major categories of pulp and paper. The first, comprised of newsprint, mechanical pulp, specialty papers, and fine paper, accounted for 56% of total production capacity, while board, which constitutes the second category, accounted for 17%.

 

According to the Ministry, Quebec produces up to 3.5 million metric tons of newsprint each year although this number is likely falling due to a decrease in demand. This amounts to 37% of total pulp and paper production, and around 42% of Canada’s total newsprint production.

 

Of all forestry activity, 39% was related to pulp and paper industries, 41% to wood products industries, and 20% devoted to exportation. Québec’s pulp and paper industry was reported to be composed of more than 60 mills with a total annual capacity of more than 12 million metric tons.

 

More information about the state of Québec’s forests can now be found online at the Ministry’s website.