Joint Message from Ministers Cansfield and Gravelle on Realignment of Forestry

September 3, 2009

We are pleased to announce today that the realignment of forestry from Ministry of Natural Resources to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF) is complete. The realignment of such an important portfolio was done to help make the province more competitive, create jobs and strengthen our economy.

Both ministries have been working closely together to ensure the delivery of the provincial forest program, transfer of staff and the realignment occur smoothly with no disruptions.

Stakeholders should continue to call the same people they have dealt with in the past. They will continue to provide the same business functions they always did, but with even more focus on each Ministry's priorities.

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.

• Industry relations functions:
  • Forest industrial policy
  • Tenure and pricing reform
  • Bioeconomy
• Forestry industry competitiveness program
• Forest economics and analysis
• Forest industry relations
• Softwood lumber (international trade)
• Wood promotion and marketing
• Aboriginal economic development
• Wood allocation, pricing and licensing
• Timber billing
• Roads program.

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:

• Forest policy and Guideline development
• Legislation (Crown Forest Sustainability Act)
• Forest management planning
• Forest environmental assessment
• Forest modelling
• Silviculture program
• Forest health (invasive species, pests, seed plant)
• Compliance and forest audits
• Forest certification
• Forest trusts (renewal and futures trusts)
• Public reporting on forests sustainability.

MNR field operations will continue to deliver on frontline forestry, including:

• Forest management planning
• Annual reporting
• Compliance.

Donna Cansfield Minister of Natural Resources

Michael Gravelle Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry