From staples to smorgasbord: Zeitgeist of Canada's forest management in the 21st century

Abstract

The staples theory posits that a country rich in natural resources tends to rely heavily on extracting its natural resources for exporting to markets. An exporting country as such is known as “hinterland” whereas the destination of the commodity goods is known as “heartland”. In the Canadian context, fur, fish, and timber served as good examples that lend support to the validity of the staples theory.

With the declining share of resource sectors relative to other components of the economy, the staples-dominant economies have undergone profound transformations. The significant changes in Canada's forestry sector illustrate the attenuation of the staples theory, particularly in the province of British Columbia. Resembling a “smorgasbord”, a new paradigm is emerging in Canada. Representing a new spirit, or Zeitgeist, of forest management in the 21st century, this new paradigm emphasizes managing forests to meet a dynamic set of socio-economic, environmental and cultural objectives.