The Ontario government has released the draft Forest Sector Strategy.
The new strategy will aim to stimulate job creation, promote economic growth, and reduce unnecessary burden and costs for businesses, all while ensuring our forests continue to be managed sustainably.
“The forest industry is an important driver of the regional economy in Nipissing, providing jobs that the people of this community depend on,” said MPP Vic Fedeli in a release.
“We look forward to hearing feedback on the draft strategy, which aims to reduce barriers that prevent businesses from taking full advantage of the tremendous potential of Ontario’s forest sector while ensuring high standards of sustainable forest management.”
The plan to create a provincial strategy for the forest sector was announced in September 2018.
Since that time, the ministry has heard from Indigenous partners, industry and municipal leaders through seven roundtables across the province.
Feedback was also received from the public through survey and email submissions. Based on that feedback, four main areas of focus were identified to shape the draft strategy:
- promoting stewardship and sustainability
- putting more wood to work
- improving our cost competitiveness
- fostering innovation, markets and talent
“Ontario’s forests are our greatest renewable resource, and we are working towards a forest sector strategy designed to support existing businesses, while helping to create more opportunities and a better quality of life for the people of Ontario — all without compromising our high standards of sustainable forest management,” said John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Consultation on the draft Forest Sector Strategy through the Environmental Registry will close February 5, 2020.
Additional comments received will be considered as the government completes further consultations with Indigenous partners and municipalities. The final strategy is expected to be released in the spring of 2020.
