It is critical that the…

It is critical that the management of the Ontario forestry industry remain under the Crown Sustainability Act as it is a proven and effective framework to balance the Environmental, Social and Economic objectives of forest management activities. As a forest management planner, I am committed to the achievement of this balance. Managing forests under the Endangered Species Act loses this balance as it only considers the environmental perspective pertaining to species at risk and their habitat. Ontario's wood supply would be critically reduced, triggering job loss with devastating effect on the economic and social dynamics of Northern Ontario cities, towns and Indigenous communities. The forest industry is important not just to Northern Ontario but is a vital part of the entire province's economy. Within my own household, potentially two jobs would be lost. Our family could no longer afford our home.

I appeal to the Ontario government to keep a balanced perspective between their own initiatives to promote forest industry development (check Ontario.ca website) and the constant and often overstated pressures of environmental groups in Ontario. I support the two-year extension period but believe that five years is a more realistic time frame to properly review, modify and update legislative framework within the Crown Forest Sustainability Act in order to provide appropriate protection for species under the ESA.

[Original Comment ID: 212772]