Last year the Ontario government made changes to realign the responsibilities of the Ontario forest management. The realignment will not change the contacts that the LWCA deals with. The MNR Bancroft office will continue to be the main contact and personal remain the same. The forester for the Mazinaw-Lanark area is Gareth Davies and the forester for the Bancroft-Minden area Bruce Fleck.
The Ontario Government announced June 24, 2009 that responsibility for forestry was being realigned between the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry [MNDMF] and the Ministry of Natural Resources [MNR] effective immediately.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry is now leading the business and economic aspects of forestry, including industrial strategy, forest sector competitiveness programs, softwood lumber and wood allocation, pricing and licensing.
The Ministry of Natural Resources remains responsible for sustainable forest management and stewardship, including forest management planning, forest health and science, and the provision of habitat, including the requirements under the Endangered Species Act.
On September 3 2009 the Ontario government announced the that the realignment of forestry from Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF) was complete. The reasons given for the realignment was to help make the province more competitive, create jobs and strengthen our economy.
This realignment allows MNDMF to champion the forest industry and to be a powerful voice for the industry. MNDMF’s focus will be on the economic development of the forest industry in recognition of the important role the industry plays in Ontario's communities. The ministry is responsible for industrial strategy and relations and mills, wood supply and pricing.
MNR continues to play a critical role in ensuring our forests are managed sustainably. This is vital to the health of our environment and the health of our economy. MNR is responsible for:
MNR field operations will continue to deliver on frontline forestry, including:
Both ministries are working together to ensure the delivery of the provincial forest program, transfer of staff and the realignment occur smoothly with no disruptions.
Forest management planning and compliance enforcement are the two areas where the LWCA most interact with the forest management team. We will continue to contact the same people had we have dealt with in the past. MNR Bancroft office will provide these key business functions as they have in the past.