In an age where we, as…

In an age where we, as citizens of this planet, are faced with climate change, ocean degradation and severe biodiversity loss, I am startled that our province thinks that "putting more wood to work" is the first priority of our provincial forest sector strategy. I agree that we can invest, reduce cost competitiveness and expand and find new markets, but without putting biodiversity and sustainability first, we are doing a dis-service to our children and our children's children...and the future of our province.

As a public member of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association, I believe professional foresters in this province want only the best for the forest and its future. The forest sector includes more than just the industry. We can make our forest stronger and more dynamic by putting the priority emphasis on forest sustainability first, and jobs and economy will follow.