TOWNSHIP OF O'C working in…

TOWNSHIP OF O'C working in the forestry sector;

Knowledgeable individuals in forestry industry associations; and

Ecological and environmental experts;

AND FURTHER, THAT given the need to carefully recruit for membership on the independent panel, together with the significant workload required in undertaking the role proposed, including:

the impact of climate change on species habitat;

the cumulative impacts of all Endangered Species Act policies on the forestry sector and the communities it supports; Socio-economic impact analyses for each of the policies under the Endangered Species Act and how they interact with other forestry sector policies in Ontario; and community, industry, indigenous and municipal consultations;

Council recommends that the Province amend its proposal to change the date “July 1, 2020” to the date “July 1, 2023”, providing a full five year term for the independent panel to undertake its work;

AND FURTHER, THAT extending the time period by three more years will provide the forestry sector with more stability and certainty, which is needed at this time;

AND FURTHER, THAT given the imminent approach of July 1, 2018, the Province make a final decision on the amendments to Regulation 242/08 prior to March 30th, 2018, to allow the forestry sector to respond accordingly;

AND FINALLY, THAT this resolution be submitted as the Township of O’Connor’s Council’s comments to the proposed amendment to Regulation 242/08 as posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights registry, and circulated to: the Honourable Premier of Ontario; the Honourable Minister of the Environment and Climate Change; the two members of provincial parliament for the District of Thunder Bay; the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association; and the Thunder Bay District Municipal League.

J. Vezina

MAYOR

X

CARRIEDDEFEATED

[Original Comment ID: 213166]