Making reforms to Ontario's forest tenure and pricing system will be the hot topic of discussion in a series of public meetings next month in Northern and Central Ontario.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry released a paper examining the system used to determine how wood supplies are licensed, allocated and priced. The government said the public will play “a key role in helping Ontario's forest industry balance economic success with sustainable practices.”
The Aug. 27 paper entitled, Ontario's Forests, Ontario's Future, will be used as a guide for discussion.
The tenure and pricing system determines how companies access and pay for Crown wood in Ontario.
The meetings start in Sault Ste. Marie (Sept. 17), Timmins (Sept. 22), Hearst (Sept. 24), Dryden (Sept. 29), Thunder Bay (Oct. 1), Marathon (Oct. 6), Huntsville (Oct. 13) and Pembroke (Oct. 14). More meetings will be held with First Nation organizations and communities at dates yet to be announced.
MNDMF Minister Michael Gravelle told Northern Ontario Business in August the issues of land tenure reform, pricing and forest renewal trust are complex issues that he is committed to addressin.
The Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP has been handed control of the province's forestry file from the Ministry of Natural Resources, as part of his new pumped-up Ministry.
In his first month as forestry minister, Gravelle said many industry stakeholders have frequently brought up these matters and “very serious discussions” had to get underway soon.
Provincial NDP Economic Development and Trade critic Howard Hampton believes it could be an attempt to put the forestry companies in charge of the Crown forest.
“I'm worried that the McGuinty Liberals plan for Ontario's forestry sector is more privatization of our forests and pandering to American demands of putting Ontario's forests up for bid and up for sale.”
The discussion paper is available for viewing on the Environmental Registry at www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry.
