I strongly support a long…

I strongly support a long-term Section 55 Regulatory Exemption for the forest sector which recognizes the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA) as an equivalent process to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). I do not support the attempts at harmonization of the CFSA with the ESA through amendments to Section 18 as proposed in this posting.

Environmental Management systems in Ontario's forestry sector are some of the strongest in the world. Creating legislation that would cripple a thriving industry that already holds environmental protection at the highest regard would be an embarrassment to the province, and result in millions of dollars in lost revenue and wages. Tens of thousands of jobs would be eliminated.

I do not support the section 18 ‘harmonization option’ as a solution for the forest sector – it does not effectively deal with the socio-economic risks posed to the sector by the ESA. The forest sector requires a permanent solution to the ESA. Endangered species are important, but so are jobs, communities, and the economy.