Released on May 21, 2013
Forestry professionals who want to practice in Saskatchewan’s public forests must now demonstrate their qualifications and competence through registration with their professional association, similar to other professions like engineers and agrologists.
On May 15, amendments to The Forestry Professions Act were proclaimed, legally establishing the right to practice for Registered Professional Foresters and Registered Professional Forest Technologists. Now, anyone practicing professional forestry on forested Crown lands must be registered with the Association of Saskatchewan Forestry Professionals (ASFP) or work under the supervision of a registered member.
The ASFP works to establish and maintain high standards of ethics and excellence for its members in the professional practice of forestry. The association is governed by a council of elected members and one public representative.
“We expect other professionals, whether they give us health advice or design bridges, to be competent and accountable for their actions,” Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. “Now, we have a similar assurance about the professionals who hold the health of our forests in their hands. This legislation means that the public can be even more confident that Saskatchewan’s Crown forests are well-managed by professionals who are recognized across Canada.”
Before the amendments, legislation governing the forestry profession in Saskatchewan protected only title, meaning that only registered ASFP members could call themselves Registered Professional Foresters or Registered Professional Forest Technologists. Now, both the titles and the practice of professional forestry are restricted to registered ASFP members. The legislation grants forestry professionals here the same status as their counterparts in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Québec.
“Earning the right to practice forestry in Saskatchewan requires a greater level of accountability from forestry professionals,” ASFP registrar Diane Roddy said. “This aligns well with the move to results-based legislation in Saskatchewan. The shift from prescribing how to do something to setting out the results that must be achieved puts an emphasis on accountability and reliance on professionals. There’s an important role for the ASFP to play in supporting this change and shepherding the ethical, competent management of our province’s forests.”
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For more information, contact:
Val Nicholson
Environment
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-2459
Email: val.nicholson@gov.sk.ca