Dear Minister,…

Dear Minister,

I am writing Regulation for Forestry.

Brinkman & Associates is one of the oldest and most successful silviculture companies at work in Ontario today. We rely entirely on the continued sustainability of the forest industry. Brinkman employs almost 500 young people as tree planters each spring and summer in Ontario. These tree planters are primarily post-secondary students who depend upon this summer job to support their education.

Currently, Section 55 of the Act presents a serious risk if implemented in July of 2018 without proper review and regard for its impact on many small communities, First Nations, the Forest Industry and the many workers who depend on this sector for their livelihood. Including Brinkman & Associates.

We applaud the formation of an expert panel to provide critical oversight and input on a workable solution for the Endangered Species Act. We see that this panel is critical to ensure that the views of the people who live and work in the forest regions of Ontario are suitably incorporated into any implementation plan for the ESA.

However, we also feel that a 2-year extension period is not long enough to work through the very complex issues associated with forestry operating under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and protecting species under the ESA. Instead, we suggest a 5-year extension. The extension must be implemented as soon as possible after the 45-day review period to ensure it is in place well in advance of the July expiry of the current Section 55 Regulation.

If Section 55 Regulation for Forestry of the ESA is allowed to move forward as it stands, it will have a catastrophic effect on wood supply resulting in mill closures, unemployed contractors, stranded First Nation investments in the forestry economy, and severe socio-economic and community impacts due to the loss of sustainable employment. For Brinkman, this could jeopardize more 35 years of employing thousands of young Canadians in the forestry industry in Ontario.

Finally, we truly appreciate that our government has recognized the importance of involving all impacted sectors of the industry in this decision. Our only hope is that our involvement be meaningful and impactful.

[Original Comment ID: 213196]