MNR to help forestry industry

News Release
MNR

The Ontario government is taking action to support the long-term viability of the
Ontario forest sector and the communities that depend on it, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced Monday.
“I am pleased to release the council’s final report, and am confident it will help us with a long-term plan for our forest industry,” said Ramsay. “We are taking a number of steps immediately to respond both to critical challenges facing the industry, such as wood supply and rising costs, and to a number of the council’s recommendations.”
The government will:
• Provide up to $350 million in loan guarantees to stimulate new investment in value-added manufacturing, improve energy efficiency and make better use of wood fibre. This could leverage as much as $700 million in new investment.
• Create a process for industry to maximize wood use and reduce costs by moving to multi-party shareholder Sustainable Forest Licences.
• Streamline and expedite the approvals for forestry activities, and pursue the amalgamation of forest management units.
• Recognize and work with a panel of council members to help monitor actions taken in response to the council’s recommendations
“I appreciate the excellent work done by the council members,” said Ramsay. “We will be reviewing and analysing the report further and will respond with an action plan in the very near future. It is clear that some of the council’s proposals will require further study or the involvement of other parties.”
Ramsay also announced that the Forestry Futures Trust is providing $4.6 million this year to support science- and information-based projects that will help provide forest managers with the tools they need to more efficiently meet forest management objectives, including improved wood supply.
The council’s 17 members include representatives from the municipal sector, labour, the forest industry and First Nations. The council was asked to develop recommendations on the best way to strengthen and diversify Ontario’s forest-based economy. A copy of the council’s report is available at www.mnr.gov.on.ca.