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Premier breaks commitment to working families

Ontario’s new Endangered Species Act regulations posted today on the government’s website leaves 230,000 working families and communities across Ontario with a future fraught with uncertainty, says the Ontario Forestry Coalition (OFC) representing municipalities, labor unions, First Nations, Chambers of Commerce and industry partners.

The posting clearly shows the Premier of Ontario has reneged on his August 2007 commitment to working families across Ontario.

After more than 40,000 direct and indirect job losses in the forest sector, the last thing needed is more uncertainty, more fear and more fear mongering from environmental campaigners who know full well that forestry in this province is, as stated by the Government of Ontario, “recognized as a world leader in its forest management programs and practices” with Ontario’s Platinum Standard Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA).

Although the posted regulations offer a one year exemption, the government has already stated that it intends to use the one year period to move to a permitting process favored by environmental campaigners and has decimated forestry, economic opportunity and communities in other North American jurisdictions.

Government must honor its commitments to a long term regulation, recognizing that all objectives of the Endangered Species Act are met through Ontario’s world class forest management practices and ensuring management of Ontario’s forests is not determined through frivolous court cases and mountains of duplicative process and business killing red tape.

The Hon. Dalton McGuinty

Premier of Ontario

Legislative Building

Room 281

Queens Park

Toronto, Ontario

M7A 1A4

Dear Premier:

Formed in June of 2005, the Ontario Forestry Coalition (OFC) brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders including the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, unions, chambers of commerce, forest industry and First Nations. The Coalition joined forces to build support for comprehensive public policy that supports a viable and sustainable forestry sector in the Province of Ontario. As lead up to the October 10 provincial election, the OFC is asking for commitments on five key public policy priorities.

Forestry in Ontario is a major contributor to the social and economic prosperity of more than 230,000 families and, in terms of balance of trade, forestry is second in size only to the automotive sector. Annual tax contributions of over $2 billion to all orders of government also helps pay for important social programs including healthcare and education.

For over 200 years the forest industry in Ontario has adapted to constantly evolving market and competitive pressures. In recent years, forestry has had to weather an unprecedented number of economic storms and is in a difficult and critical period of transformation. As in the past, the success of this transformation will be based on the setting of the right public policy – policy that provides operating stability, encourages investment and promotes sustainable growth.

Industry, labour and government must work together to assure the future of the sector in Ontario. Industry has fought hard to find increased efficiencies, labour has come to the table accepting changes and government has also taken first steps toward policy reform.

But much remains to be done. The key issues -- outlined in the attached document “Blueprint for Forestry Transformation” -- must be addressed by the next government of Ontario as elected on October 10, 2007. Commitment to the following priorities will be measured carefully by the 200 communities and thousands of individuals who depend on a healthy forestry sector in Ontario.

read the entire letter and blueprint