Ontario MNR loses Forestry to Northern Development and Mines

The Dalton McGinty Liberals have sprung a change in management policy for our Ontario
forests that will have a devastating effect on the natural resources of this province. We should all
question why the Deputy Minister would explain that the move will, “ help make the province more
competitive, create jobs and strengthen our economy.” Why does this government think that the
economic exploitation of our forests is the only value of forests? We have a Ministry of Natural
Resources that is perfectly capable and has the resources in place to look after the forests for the benefit
of all the citizens of Ontario. If there are problems with the MNR ….. fix them…don’t create a whole
new mess.

If as speculated, the reason for the move is that the Minister for Northern Development and
Mines, Michael Gravelle is a northerner while the present Minister of the MNR is from the south might
I suggest a more prudent way to fix the inadequacy would have been to place someone with an
understanding of the north and natural resources in the position of MNR Minister in the first place.
This move speaks volumes of the utter lack of intelligent thought and understanding of the biodiversity
of our environment present in the McGinty government.

We do not need further gutting of the MNR in the province of Ontario. The natural resources of
this province, the entire ecosystem is a heritage that we all have been entrusted to protect. This is not
the way to help our forest or the economy. I have been critical of the Ministry of Natural Resources in
the past, however, I recognize, as should everyone that a Ministry dedicated to the well being of all our
natural resources is the best way to protect our natural heritage.

Gaye Smith
Former Chairman Temagami Stewardship Council
Bear Island P.O. Lake Temagami, Ont. P0H1C0
705-237-8709