I am a R.P.F. currently…

I am a R.P.F. currently employed in Northwestern Ontario's forestry sector, and I support this Strategy.

I am encouraged that the Provincial government is looking at streamlining acts, guidelines, regulations etc. A reduction in red tape could generate significant cost savings and increased efficiencies, on both the government and industry sides of the table. In today's extremely competitive, global markets, optimizing our forest industry is critical for Ontario, and Canada as a whole. Sustainable utilization of our natural resources carried out in an efficient manner is key.

I am also very supportive of the roads funding program. This program helps enable forest management operations on the forest. Without it, the forest industry, and in turn, all other users of the forest (trappers, hunters, fishermen, non-timber forest product harvesters, recreational users, tourist outfitters, private camp owners, mining users, etc.) would not be able to maintain the road networks in place today, which would result in massive negative repercussions. These forest access roads are a critical component to rural Ontario, and the people and industries found throughout.

I believe the government should strive to find ways to utilize the currently undesirable trees species that are harvested across the province. Growing Ontario's value added industries is crucial. I look forward to any and all progress made on this front.