Regarding Environmental…

Regarding Environmental Posting ERO #019-0880, the EBR posting related to Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy (Draft):

Key to the successful implementation of the Ontario Government’s Forest Sector Strategy is the practice of professional forestry. RPFs are legally required to protect the public’s interest, and their licence to practice is derived from the Professional Foresters Act, 2000 and can be challenged, which creates accountability. RPFs can be called to objectively evaluate different forest management strategies in a transparent manner and help implement the solutions that are approved. Through the practice of professional forestry, RPFs can help the Ontario Government in its goal 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.”

As the regulator of professional forestry in Ontario, the Ontario Professional Foresters Association is willing to help the government implement its Strategy. However, the current list of excluded occupations and trades in the Professional Foresters Act, 2000 makes it very difficult to govern professional forestry. Maintaining the practice of professional forestry which the government needs to implement its Strategy will require updating the Professional Foresters Act, 2000 and Regulation, and integrating these modifications in the changes in the Crown Forest Sustainability Act 1994 and its supporting implementation manuals. I encourage the Government to do so.