IT WAS NOTHING LESS THAN AN ATTEMPT BY U.S.-FUNDED GROUPS TO SEIZE CONTROL OF CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.

plan ostensibly to “protect” the Canadian boreal forest.

The boreal covers an area 13 times the size of California and is one of the bestmanaged in the world. It is under zero threat of deforestation, so the deal was somewhat like an agreement to protect the sands of the Sahara. Most bizarrely, it excluded aboriginal groups, local communities and even governments. It was nothing less than an attempt by unelected, mainly U.S.-funded groups to seize control of Canadian environmental policy, and maybe a whole lot more.

According to Lazar at the time, however, “The importance of this agreement cannot be overstated . ... Together we have identified a more intelligent, productive way to manage economic and environmental challenges in the boreal that will reassure global buyers of our products’ sustainability.” The deal would allegedly give corporate signatories a “competitive edge” in much same way, say, as not having your legs broken by the mafia might give you a competitive edge in a foot race.

Equally disgraceful, a number of forest industry customers — including revealing hysterical absolutism, this statement in fact contradicted the stance of the other environmental groups, who declared that great progress was being made; the only problem was Resolute. All the ENGO signatories conspicuously suspended dealings with the company, gathering in a pack for what they hoped would be the kill. The forest products association was nowhere to be seen, although, to be fair, that reflected the fact that its other members were terrified that the customer harassment would escalate again.

However, throwing out the playbook of corporate appeasement, Montreal-based Resolute, led by intrepid CEO Richard Garneau, decided to fight back. It sued Greenpeace for “defamation, malicious falsehood and intentional interference with economic relations.” Early last year, Resolute upped the ante by bringing a racketeering case against Greenpeace in the U.S. Meanwhile forest communities and aboriginal groups were also beginning to kick back against the investment and job costs of the spreading