As General Manager of a…

As General Manager of a privately own sawmill and a member of a northern community in Ontario would like to let the government know that Ontario's renewable forest sector is very important for Northern Ontario and each families living in the area. The livelihood of our community members and the sustainability of our community rely heavily on our renewable forest.

The government must provide a 5 year extension and ensure all the science which includes global warming is fully assessed and to fully assess the socio-economic impact of such regulation on the industry and the communities that directly rely on the forestry sector. A 2 year extension doesn't provide certainty to the sector and our community members.

A 5 year extension is required, since the impacts are complex and cannot be rush. The impact of all ESA policy on the forest sector needs to be understood properly. Communities depend on it.

The establishment of an independent panel is extremely important, we need the municipalities and First Nations to be on the panel.

The government needs to make a decision before March 30th, 2018, to reinsure industry and community members that their livelihood and future is not in peril.

[Original Comment ID: 213333]