Forestry leaders make their case to province.

• Position: Forestry

Forestry industry leaders were in Thunder Bay in mid-January to make their case for the province to show their support for the resource sector.

"As a province, we need to acknowledge that trees are the answer," said Jamie Lim, Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) president-CEO, in a Jan. 12 news release.

"Our forests can support growth, sequester carbon through long-term wood products and allow Ontario's Northern and rural communities to thrive."

Lim and a group of business and community leaders were scheduled to appear before the standing committee on finance and economic Affairs as part of pre-budget consultations in Thunder Bay, Jan. 15.

Also making presentations were representatives of Norbord, Weyerhaeuser, Resolute Forest Products, Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown and Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield, past president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

OFIA contends that industry harvests less than 0.5 per cent of Ontario Crown for est yet puts 172,000 people to work in the province.

In the news release, Lim said the sustainable use of the wood supply, coupled with "workable public policy" supports...