This thesis evaluates consensus-building as an alternative approach to decision-making and conflict resolution in the management of crown lands in Canada. In particular, the research investigates what works, and what the limitations and barriers are, when using consensus-building. The Alberta-Pacific Forest Management Task Force is the case study used as the basis for evaluation and analysis.

The paper concludes that consensus-building presents a number of opportunities as a public consultation decision-making tool and conflict management tool. There are also many barriers that have to be overcome to make consensus-building work. While consensus-building presented a number of barriers to stakeholders having their interests met, the process was seen by most participants to be a more effective and efficient way to address their interests, compared to using conventional approaches of decision-making. As the Detailed Forest Management Plan has not been fully implemented, the full impact of using consensus-building has not been determined.