Industry group not keen on forest tenure plan

The Ontario government's proposed reform to the forest tenure and pricing system has gone too far, said a provincial forestry group.

The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) said the government is undermining the work done mills that have adapted to the economic challenges and are still employing Ontarians.

"Instead of rewarding these companies, the government is proposing a system that could remove their wood supply and open the door for our natural resources to be moved outside the province for manufacturing," said OFIA president Jamie Lim in a May 17 statement. "How does that make sense?"

Last year, the Ontario government launched a review of the forest tenure and timber pricing systems.

Northern Development, Mines and Forestry minister Michael Gravelle said in a statement that during consultations "we heard loud and clear that Ontarians want change," as well as a more active role in Crown forest management.

The government's new model for forest tenure would include establishing Local Forest Management Corporation (LFMCs). These corporations would hold a licence that requires them to manage Crown forests and competitively sell the available Crown timber.

Scott Jackson, OFIA's forest policy manager, said his group is not opposed to reform but their members have implemented a more co-operative system on the land base at the government's request, "and it is working. Why does the government want to jeopardize this progress with this new tenure framework?"