In fact, they cut more than what the land can produce tor regenerate the forests. Mathematical expectations were way to optimistic (they relied too much on algorithms an computer simulations rather than field studies) and forests that should had been mature enough in the next 5 years will only be ready in two or three decades.

Yes there is still mature trees in Gaspesie. But cutting them in the next decade will leave only immature forests, then stop the whole industry for years. Reducing the cuts by 20% will only give a couple of years more of cutting jobs. The ideal situation will be to stop all lumber, but the economy of the region relies a lot on it. 20% reduction is a compromise made by the government, the industry wanted to increase its production instead…