I would like to highlight…

I would like to highlight the importance of promoting a balance between environmental, social, and economic objectives in sustainable forest management. The current Endangered Species Act is species specific and does not take into consideration other socio-economic factors, other species or overall forest sustainability Section 55 Regulation under the ESA allows forestry to continue under the CFSA temporarily until a solution is found, without this the forest industry would be exposed to the full impacts of the ESA, and wood supply impacts would be catastrophic. Section 55 Regulation will expire July 2018 with no workable solution yet developed; without this new forestry plans will be subject legal challenge, onerous regulatory burden, new permits, and unworkable species prescriptions. Forest industry impacts would include lost access to wood supply, mill closures and/or curtailments, job losses, and stranded investment. I would like to declare my support for: the extension of the Section 55 Regulation, the appointment of an expert stakeholder panel to provide practical advice on real solutions to the government. I strongly urge government to provide a five year extension vs the two year extension in order to provide adequate time to resolve this very complex regulatory issue. I also strongly urge the government to implement the proposal immediately following the 45 day review period to ensure it is in place well in advance of the expiry date of the Section 55 Regulation. My family is highly dependent on my continued employment in the forest industry in Northwestern Ontario. Any catastrophic impacts on wood supply or mill closures would have a devastating effecting on the financial wellbeing of my family.

[Original Comment ID: 212839]