Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy, Environmental Registry of Ontario number 019-0880.

As a resident of a small forestry community and employee of a major forest products company, this strategy is of paramount interest to myself, my family and friends.

I am writing to express support for this proposal.

Specifically, these are the areas that resonate to us in this strategy:

-Sustainability must balance Social, Economic and Environmental goals.

-Wood and wood products come from a truly renewable resource when you have responsible and sustainable management regimes. The OPFA, CIF and the provincial government have long been guardians of this vast resource and have done a commendable job. Thank You.

-Recognition of the third party forest certification systems used across Ontario by the forest industry. Encourage, partner and utilize these systems as part of the regulator process where it makes sense to do so. Ensure appropriate key performance indicators are in place.

-Reduce the duplication and barriers to sustainable resource management. Including removal of barriers to accessing available timber, thus ensuring wood supply security. Must streamline and reduce regulatory burden.

-We must continue to be committed to engaging and consulting with those that have a direct and inherent interest in our resource stewardship. ENGO's that have no vested interest in our northern communities and receive large donations from foreign entities to achieve economic and political gains do not care about us.

-More effort is required in the promotion and attainment of "Fair Trade". As the strategy identifies, 96% of wood exports are destined to the US. The politics of small independent US companies is crippling the industry. There needs to be an aggressive lobby effort, with an equally aggressive legal challenge of unfair trade practices.

-Energy costs and taxation levels in Ontario are hurting everyone. This must be addressed.

The forest sector is an important part of my community's history and critical to our future. The Ontario Government and the MNRF's leadership on this strategy is appreciated.

We Thank You.