In Cambridge, Ontario, the Grand Valley Conservation Foundation is using the Galerucella beetle as a biological control agent in a project that will be used as a model for purple loosestrife control in other North American watersheds.

Purple loosestrife is one of the so-called alien species posing a threat to wetlands. The plant quickly multiplies and chokes out native vegetation. A similar program is underway in Manitoba as brood stocks will be established for two kinds of European beetles. In fact, 20,000 insects have been released in 32 sites across Manitoba.

Purple loosestrife is also a target for Ducks Unlimited in Nova Scotia as 2,000 acres of wetland habitat are being enhanced. Part of the work there involves using beetles to control loosestrife and other invasive weeds.

Despite 1996 being an extremely difficult year financially, the forest industry remained Canada's single largest net exporter. The industry contributed $31.2 billion to Canada's balance of trade, a figure which represents about two times that of the next largest sector.

According to a Price Waterhouse report, the forest industry has accounted for over 25% of capital expenditures by Canada's total manufacturing sector since 1989. In 1996, capital expenditures totalled $4.7 billion, down $400 million from 1995. Maintenance of business development projects accounted for $2.6 billion of this total, while $1.7 billion and $0.4 billion were spent respectively on major expansions and environmental projects.

For the fourth year in a row, industry employment increased in 1996. Since 1993, the sector has created 12,700 new direct jobs and close to 40,000 indirect jobs. Price Waterhouse estimates that in 1996, the industry supported a total of one million direct and indirect jobs in Canada. It also made some $9 billion in payments to governments.