by Karina Hunter

Ontario forest's are shared by many and proper management is key. Editor, ONN

Dubbed as the most comprehensive overhaul of the Ontario’s wood allocation system in decades, the proposed new forest tenure and pricing system released today is designed to position Ontario’s forestry sector as an innovative, global player for the 21st century. The new proposed approach to forest tenure and pricing could help re-energize Ontario’s forest sector and should come as good news to Northwestern Ontario’s Forestry Sector. Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown looks forward to feedback from the public sessions scheduled in May and June “I am extraordinarily pleased that the Governmnt of Ontario has moved boldly forward to bring a twenty-first century model to the local management of our Crown forests.  I look forward to the valuable input that is generated by these proposals during the consultations.” said Brown.

Released today for consultation, the framework is focused on balancing sustainable practices with an environment where Ontario forest products businesses can succeed and is part of  the government’s five-year Open Ontario plan to create jobs and economic opportunities in northern Ontario. The cornerstone of the framework is the introduction of new Local Forest Management Corporations (LFMCs) to manage Crown forests and oversee the competitive sale of Crown timber.  “The proposed new system would be flexible, transparent, and responsive to changing social, economic and environmental conditions and needs. It would also be designed to increase business opportunities for new entrepreneurs and promote market competition for allocating and pricing Crown timber.” said Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, the Hon. Michael Gravelle.   

In addition to sessions being held across Ontario for the public and stakehlolders to discuss the framework which contains a proposal for five to 15 new LFMCs potentially assuming responsibility for management, marketing and sale of wood from Crown forests within their defined area, a parallel series of sessions is planned with First Nations and Aboriginal organizations. Northeast Superior Forest Community Vice-President John MacEachern was pleased that the sessions were scheduled “The public sessions are good news and we are happy  the government is welcoming feedback in regards to the framework; these sessions will provide important information from all stakeholders.” said MacEachern.

Sessions for the public and stakeholders will be held across the province to discuss the framework:

May 18 – Thunder Bay           June 1 – Hearst
May 20 – Dryden                   June 3 – Timmins
May 26 – Marathon                June 8 – Pembroke
May 28 – Toronto              June 10 – North Bay 

LEARN MORE

• Find out the time and location of each public session.
• Read the proposed Tenure and Pricing Proposed Framework
• Find out more about Ontario’s forests