Statement – Greenpeace Stands by its Claims Against Resolute Forest Products

3 MARCH 2017 (MONTREAL) – Greenpeace Canada stands by our criticism of Resolute Forest Products’ practices that have been undermining the ecological integrity of the boreal forest in key regions where Resolute operates.

Richard Garneau, President and CEO of Resolute Forest Products (RFP) has taken legal arguments out of context to imply that Greenpeace is backing down on these claims. The fact is that the technical legal arguments Mr. Garneau is referring to were made by U.S. Greenpeace entities and Greenpeace International to explain why RFP’s $300 million lawsuit is meritless under U.S. law, and should be thrown out of court. Greenpeace Canada is not involved in this lawsuit, but is being sued by RFP in Ontario.

The motion states: “In the context of the publications, the words ‘destroyer,’… strongly express Defendants’ opinion that RFP’s actions harm the ecological well-being of the Boreal Forest, [and] the threatened caribou species…”

Greenpeace supports these claims. They are based on the best available science, including Federal government science. Independent auditors have furthermore documented shortcomings related to these and other issues that resulted in the loss of a number of RFP’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications for responsible forestry.

Greenpeace Canada, U.S. Greenpeace entities, and Greenpeace International will continue to defend ourselves against meritless lawsuits that seek to silence Greenpeace on critical matters of public interest – namely the future of Canada’s forests.

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For more information:

Philippa Duchastel de Montrouge, Communications Officer, Greenpeace Canada 514.929.8227, pduchast@greenpeace.org

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