The forest products industry is in a period of profound transition. Several provinces are reviewing forest land tenure systems. Perhaps a new approach can be tried, but we must not forget the lessons of the past 30 years during which the delivery of forest management has improved based on clear lines of responsibility and accountability. A leasehold tenure system based on contract law providing security of tenure and designed to accommodate both SFM Certification and Forest Carbon Projects might be worth consideration. Key words: forest land ownership, tenure, leasehold, long-term planning, forest crop planning