Rickard Cedar - Licence for a forest resource processing facility

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is considering the issuance of a type “C” forest resource processing facility licence to authorize the construction and operation of a forest resource processing facility. 

Under Ontario Regulation 167/95 under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, a type “C” licence is issued for a “sawmill” with the capacity to consume between 25 and 200 cubic metres per 8-hour shift. Typical products include lumber, sawdust, bark, by-product chips, etc. A forest resource processing facility licence may be issued for a term of up to 5 years.

Other information

Rickard Cedar has submitted a proposal to establish and operate a sawmill facility. The existing facility was constructed in 2006 on the company’s property located in Kapuskasing, Ontario. The proposal involves the construction and operation of a new sawmill facility which will include equipment necessary for receiving fibre, debarking, sawing, planing, trimming, edging and chipping/creating shavings. The new sawmill is intended to replace a smaller sawmill currently located on the same property. The company plans to maintain the existing sawmill building which will be used to store finished wood and other equipment at the same site.

The proponent is proposing to primarily consume Crown forest resources. Private land purchases are not contemplated to significantly contribute to the supply mix. Harvesting of forest resources in a Crown forest will be conducted in accordance with approved Forest Management Plans. Harvesting of trees reserved to the Crown on patented or privately-owned lands will be conducted in accordance with a licence to harvest granted under Ontario Regulation 167/95.

The sawmill is expected to consume approximately 16,000 cubic metres of primarily cedar and spruce forest resources annually. Other species such as larch, birch, and aspen will also be processed at the sawmill in smaller quantities.

Rickard Cedar Inc.’s primary market for its rough-sawn lumber are customers in the industrial market. This market will transform the lumber into products for the industrial, residential, and commercial markets such as flooring, decking, siding, pressure treated lumber, shingles, shakes, pallets.

The wood supply will be primarily sourced from licence areas on the Gordon Cosens Forest issued to First Nation Timber, a business agreement for oversize logs with GreenFirst in Kapuskasing and possible open market fibre from local Crown forests such as the Hearst Forest. The sawmill will employ ten staff and will operate year-round.

Public consultation opportunities

Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person by contacting the office listed below and inquire if materials are available.