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Light on details, new MNRF minister sees bright future for Northwest forestry

THUNDER BAY – Ontario’s new minister of natural resources and forestry says she sees a bright future for the forest industry in Northwestern Ontario.
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(TBT News)

THUNDER BAY – Ontario’s new minister of natural resources and forestry says she sees a bright future for the forest industry in Northwestern Ontario.

But she failed to provide any ideas of how to make it happen, offering up instead promises to return to the region and hold more discussions with industry leaders.

Kathryn McGarry on Thursday paid her first visit to Thunder Bay since taking over the portfolio from Thunder Bay-Atikokan Liberal MPP Bill Mauro and said it was important for her to take a first-hand look at all of the aspects of the industry early in her mandate to help it move forward.

It’s the first step to ensure Ontario has a viable, sustainable long-term forestry.

Getting there won’t happen overnight, she acknowledged.

“It’s a very important subject for us as government to ensure we have long-term sustainability in the forestry industry,” McGarry said after taking a tour of Resolute Forest Products’ Thunder Bay pulp and paper mill.

“It’s certainly one of my key priorities, certainly one of our government’s key priorities. And I felt, in terms of planning for the future, getting up here, making sure I’ve met with folks, get out and see the tour and making sure we’ve got all of our stakeholders at the table that helps us to start those discussions to continue on with some of the important work we need to do.”

McGarry did not offer up any specifics as to how that they might arrive at a sustainable, successful industry, other than to say she planned to return for more tours and discussions with people on the ground.

“We’ve got another huge list of things we want to see up in Northwestern Ontario, so I can’t wait to return.”

McGarry was also asked about provincial assistance to deal with the growing emerald ash borer problem in the area, particularly Thunder Bay.

“It’s an issue for all municipalties,” she said, adding the city’s early detection is a good start, noting a number of partners have gathered around the table to attempt to find a long-term solution.

“We certainly need everybody there to know what to do going forward. With the invasive species centre in Sault Ste. Marie, I know they’re aware of the area and the issue,” she said.

Thunder Bay isn’t alone when it comes to tree loss.

“We are working with our partners to ensure we have some solutions moving forward.”

Mauro said the province has a $4-million annual program that’s been in existence for several years in Ontario, part of a plan to spend $25 million by 2020 planting trees to replace those destroyed by pests.

“One million of those trees are to be done within an urban boundary,” said Mauro, the newly appointed minister of municipal affairs and housing. “So I’ve communicated with the municipality that there’s an opportunity already existing for them to tap into that particular program.”

 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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