OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 23, 2012) - "National Forest Week gives all Canadians an opportunity to reflect on the importance of forests in our everyday lives. Canada's great forests are playing a major role in our economy, culture, history, and traditions.

"Canada's abundance of natural resources includes nearly 390 million hectares of forest and other wooded lands, representing 10 percent of the world's forest cover. Over 150 million hectares of Canada's forests are internationally certified as being sustainably managed - far more than in any other country in the world.

"Our Government recognizes that our forest sector is an important economic driver, particularly in rural communities. Canada's forest industry contributes $23.7 billion toward our gross domestic product and $17.2 billion toward our balance of trade, and it directly employs 234,000 people.

"This is why our Government is committed to supporting this sector. For example, the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program has fostered concrete progress. This unprecedented investment of $1 billion has funded 98 projects in 38 communities across the country and supported more than 14,000 jobs. The many direct economic, environmental and social benefits that this unique program has brought to communities across Canada can be found in the official Report on Results available online.

"I invite you to participate in the events organized this week across the country to celebrate the important role played by our forests. I also invite you to celebrate National Tree Day on September 26, which our government created to recognize the importance of Canada's urban forests. These events help Canadians of all ages to celebrate the important role that forests and trees continue to play in the lives of all Canadians.

"To learn more about National Forest Week and the activities taking place in communities across the country from September 23 to 29, please visit: http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/nationalforestweek/2012."

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.