A local company championed as a leader in the province’s value-added forest sector has had to get its wood supply from out of the country.
Global Sticks, which has received over $5 million in provincial funding, began its operation in May. But so far, it’s had to rely on Minnesota for 95 per cent of its wood after being rejected for wood allocation.
Mayor Keith Hobbs said it’s an example of how Ontario isn’t using its wood supply to the province’s advantage.
"That’s totally ridiculous. They should be getting wood from around this area at less expense," Hobbs said. "There’s a plentiful supply in Northwestern Ontario. It doesn’t make sense."
Forestry minister Michael Gravelle said the provincial government has been clear from the beginning that Global Sticks would be better off partnering with a forestry company rather than get its own wood allocation. And now that the company has partnered with Murillo’s Precision Wood for its supply.
"We are very optimistic and pleased about the relationship that they have," Gravelle said.
But in the meantime, Ontario did grant an export license so that Global Sticks could get white birch from Minnesota.
Officials with Global Sticks confirmed that they have resorted to the United States for its wood supply but said they would speak on the matter next month.
