Opposition Not Letting Up on Forest Tenure Act

The NDP is continuing its attack on the McGuinty Government and its allocation of wood in Northern Ontario.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says there’s no rhyme or reason to recent Liberal decisions.
Hampton is upset with a move to take away the wood supply from the Hudson Mill, effectively destroying what he calls the main employer in the Sioux Lookout area.
He also says the Government has a modern OSB Mill in Wawa and an effective Mill in Dubreuiville and the wood rights have been removed there as well.
Hampton says everyone he talks to in the forest sector is predicting a resumption of saw-milling in Ontario, something he says is lost with the McGuinty Liberals.
Meantime, hearings on the forest tenure act are underway in Toronto.
Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson let the committee know Monday that many Northerners aren’t happy with the Act and how it was presented to them.
NDP Critic Gilles Bisson questioned Wilson and used the opportunity to take a shot at the McGuinty Government.
Bisson asked Wilson, “is there anyone in Northern Ontario the Liberals haven’t pissed off?”
Wilson responded by saying “he has been surprised with the Government’s response, noting holding tele-conference consultations on the Bill isn’t what they are looking for.”
Bill 151 would create a number of crown corporations to manage area forests.
Wilson urged the committee to limit the forest management corporations and conduct a review in five years time.