This proposal alarms me. I…

This proposal alarms me. I am retired after serving as a senior professional forester with an Ontario forest-industry company for 19 years and 8 years as a private forest management consultant to industry. As a consultant I also led independent audits reporting to the Forestry Futures Trust.

During my career I advocated for independent audits on five -year intervals as they gave me a clear guide based on independent assessment of my progress, improvements needed, and clear criteria and indicators to determine success or failure. In other words, the audits showed me where I could do better, and I and my employer progressed as we learned from our mistakes.

Increasing audit periods to 10 years, or any period beyond five years will render the audits ineffective. During such extended periods staff and responsibilities will change and accountability will be difficult to determine. More importantly, serious non-compliance will be able to continue for an additional-five years with unknown consequences.

Increasing the period between audits will necessitate an increase in MNRF staff to continuously monitor licensees' forestry practices and apply charges where necessary. Let's face it, even the best of us, when the pressure is on make mistakes and if we are not made aware we continue the practice.

I view any action to increase the period between independent audits beyond five years as irresponsible and a backward step for forest management in Ontario.