About the Program

British Columbia is currently experiencing a Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) outbreak beyond any bark beetle epidemic recorded in North American history. This eco-system altering epidemic is causing widespread mortality of the lodgepole pine forests, the province’s most abundant commercial tree species. At the current rate of spread, 50 per cent of the mature pine will be dead by 2008 and 80 per cent by 2013. The consequences of the epidemic will be felt for decades in British Columbia. The beetle is also posing a real threat to Alberta’s lodgepole pine forests and the Jackpine stands of Canada’s northern boreal forest.

The Federal budget announced on May 2, 2006 provided $400 million over two years to:

• combat the MPB infestation
• strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the forestry sector, and
• support worker adjustment.

Within that, the federal government committed to invest $200 million over three years in the Canada – British Columbia Mountain Pine Beetle Program to reduce the consequences of the beetle infestation and assist in efforts to slow the infestation’s eastward spread.

The $100-million Forestry Component of the Canada – British Columbia Mountain Pine Beetle Program focuses on:

• controlling the spread
   
• recovering economic value, and
   
• protecting forest resources and communities.

MPB Program activities were initiated in fiscal year 2006/07, with particular emphasis on controlling the spread. The activities were delivered using funds transferred to NRCan’s co-operators, primarily to the Province of British Columbia but also to Parks Canada. The web site covers the Natural Resources Canada-led Forestry Component of the MPB Program activities that will be delivered in 2007/08 and 2008/09.