September 29, 2010: Environmental Commissioner’s Office in over their head 

Modern forest management proves difficult for ECO to understand

In order to set the record straight, the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) is responding to several inflammatory and incorrect statements made by the Environmental Commissioner’s Office (ECO) in a media release dated September 22, 2010.

“Many of the ECO statements are a gross oversimplification or are outright just misleading”, says Jamie Lim, President and CEO of the OFIA, adding “you really have to wonder where they are sourcing their information”.

Of particular concern is the ECO attempt to erroneously paint natural resource sectors, including forestry, as ‘status quo’ or ‘business-as-usual’ sectors that have remain unchanged for 150 years.

“There is no such thing as status quo with regards to forest management in Ontario” says Scott Jackson, Manager of Forest Policy at the OFIA. “We are one of the most, if not the most heavily regulated sectors in the province and forest policy is continuously being updated. In fact, due to our rigorous and adaptive regulatory framework we are one of only a handful of sectors to have a class approval under the provincial Environmental Assessment Act.”  (more)

May 17, 2010: Forest Companies – Big, Small, Traditional, New, All Agree that Tenure Proposal is Flawed - Government Recommendations Threaten to Undermine Progress 

The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) is giving the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry top marks for two of its recent initiatives – the Provincial Wood Supply Competition, which makes available approximately 30% of the province’s industrial fibre supply to existing facilities and new entrants, and the continued move to Co-operative Sustainable Forest Licenses (SFLs).

 “We see both of these initiatives as very progressive” says Jamie Lim, President and CEO of the OFIA. “If continued and done properly, these will provide certainty to forest companies, big and small, traditional and value added, and will put people back to work – something that is desperately needed”.

However, the OFIA, which represents members ranging from multi-national companies to family owned and operated value added mills, believes the recent government proposal on tenure reform, A Proposed Framework to Modernize Ontario’s Forest Tenure and Pricing System, will undermine the potential gains associated with these initiatives and jeopardize the future of the industry. (more)

March 23, 2009: Caribou Habitat Regulation Expected to Have Major Economic Impacts – Loss of Jobs, Threatened Communities

A recent socio-economic impact assessment conducted by the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA), with support from the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry  (MNDMF) indicates that the Habitat Regulation for Forest-Dwelling Woodland Caribou (an ecotype of a sub-species of a species that is more common than moose or deer in Canada) could remove up to 33% of northern Ontario’s industrial fibre supply resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and threatening the survival of numerous northern communities.  (more)

November 4, 2009:  Government Endorses Loss of 196 More Forestry Jobs - job losses equal one mill closure

On November 2, 2009 the McGuinty government publicly released its internal recommendations to reduce the area available for sustainable forest management in Algonquin Park.  Despite claims from the government that the impacts on the forest sector and rural communities will be minimal, the Algonquin Forest Authority, which co-authored the report, has clearly expressed reservations, stating within the report itself that they are “unable to say with certainty that this Proposal will not negatively impact the forest industry and local communities.” (more)

October 26, 2009: 48% Drop in Corporate Tax Revenues Comes as No Surprise - Tip of the Iceberg for rural and northern communities

Last week, municipal leaders and forest sector representatives held a public Town Hall Meeting in Barry’s Bay to discuss their concerns with two controversial provincial government initiatives – the Wood Turtle Habitat Regulation and the “Lightening the Footprint” campaign in Algonquin Park. (more)

September 9, 2009: Forestry in Ontario just got more complicated instead of more competitive – “realignment toolbox” empty!

In June, Premier McGuinty announced he was transferring forestry to Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) in order to “strengthen our economy, create jobs and provide opportunities for Ontario families”. Minister Gravelle was asked to build a more competitive forest sector by managing the economic and business side of forestry.  Last week, the government provided Minister Gravelle with an empty toolbox. After reviewing the “realignment toolbox”, the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) believes it lacks the fundamental tools to allow the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, and Forestry (MNDMF) to fulfill the Premier’s request to lead the economic and business aspects of forestry in Ontario and create a more competitive forest sector. (more)

August 13, 2009: Ontario Builder - Marshall Homes Promotes Concept of All Ontario Wood-Built Homes

Oshawa, ON – Ontario builder Marshall Homes has built a home using Ontario wood products only, as a way to demonstrate the company’s support for the province’s forestry industry and to encourage builders in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and elsewhere in the province to do the same. (more)

August 4, 2009: OFIA and CLA – A New Beginning Built on a Strong Foundation

Lammert Jagt, Chair of the Canadian Lumbermen’s Association (CLA) and Jean-Francois Merette, Chair of the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) are pleased to announce the merger of two of forestry’s best known and historical associations. (more)

June 25, 2009: FORESTRY MOVE TO MNDMF – What does it mean for the sector?

The announcement that Forestry will move from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to the new Ministry of Northern Development Mines and Forestry (MNDMF) has potential to maximize forestry opportunities in Ontario. While many of the details have not been announced, including which files and responsibilities will move over to MNDMF, the OFIA believes that they have a champion in MNDMF and Minister Gravelle, a member of Ontario’s northern caucus. (more)

June 17, 2009: BILLION DOLLAR ANNOUCEMENT ALLOWS ONTARIO PULP AND PAPER MILLS TO EXHALE – Keeps people working and tackles climate change.

The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) welcomed today’s federal government announcement. The new Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program addresses the inequity created by the United States black liquor subsidy that has been threatening the viability and competitiveness of Canada’s pulp and paper mills. (more)

April 27, 2009: OFIA SUPPORTS ONTARIO’S TENURE REVIEW

Minister Cansfield, speaking at the Ontario Professional Foresters Association (OPFA) Annual Meeting on April 23^rd, 2009 announced that the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) plans to review and reform Ontario’s tenure model with the initial establishment of an expert panel. (more)

April 1, 2009: Minister Stockwell Day Does the Right Thing.

The Ontario Forest Industry Association (OFIA) and the Québec Forest Industry Council (QFIC) support the Government of Canada’s actions  to comply with the London Court of International Arbitration’s (LCIA) decision of late February 2009. (more)

March 17, 2009: OFIA and QFIC ask Government of Canada – DO THE RIGHT THING

Quebec Forest Industry Council (QFIC) and the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) held a joint press conference this morning to take stock of the situation following the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) decision submitted on February 26th 2009. A joint press conference showing that both industrial Associations are on the same page is a precedent in the history of OFIA and QFIC. (more)