The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) has launched an e-mail writing campaign over what they call a "costly and unnecessary" permitting process to protect caribou habitat.
In a June 15 news release, FONOM said the Ontario government is proposing to designate a caribou boundary line for the protection of the species which would cross into major forestry industry areas.
The move is being made under the auspices of the province's Endangered Species Act of 2007.
FONOM president Mac Bain said the protection of caribou is already ensured under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and the proposed plan is a "costly duplication of that effort."
Bain said FONOM has spoken with Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey about the economic impact on the industry and wants her to provide the municipal group with more science before she renders her final decision. FONOM claims as many as 3,200 jobs could be at stake.
"We are now asking Northerners to participate in our e-mail writing campaign and to make their voices heard so that the residents of Northern Ontario do not themselves become an endangered species," said Bain.
A draft letter is available for download at www.fonom.org.
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