Kenora Daily Miner & News

[Ontario Minister] Ramsay promises wood rights decision expected within weeks

March 17, 2007

Byline: BY MIKE AIKEN, THE KENORA ENTERPRISE Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay says he hopes to have a decision on wood rights "within weeks." During his brief stop in Kenora, the minister, who is also responsible for aboriginal affairs, said he wanted to make the right decision on the request for proposals. "We want to make sure of certainty of supply," he said, noting the many complicated issues relating to the decision. While Kenora Forest Products is hoping to add as many as 250 jobs through an expansion plan at its local mill, First Nation communities want to protect their traditional lands. As the local economy struggles to recover from the loss of more than 440 jobs as part of the ongoing forestry crisis, aboriginal protesters have been working with environmental groups, in an effort to protect the boreal forest. "We are in constant communications with First Nations," the minister said, as he prepared for meetings March 9 with Treaty 3. Grand Council spokesman Clifford Bob confirmed Grand Chief Arnold Gardner had discussions with Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay during his Kenora visit and the issue of clear protocols for wood harvesting were addressed. "He's trying to look into that and make sure there is movement," Bob said Monday. In his interview with the media March 8, Ramsay suggested the decision on wood rights for Kenora Forest Products was delayed over concerns about providing certainty for the wood supply, and the issues being negotiated were related to First Nation concerns. The city is hoping the awarding of wood rights could pave the way for a $30 million expansion that could provide as many as 250 jobs for the local economy, but aboriginal communities are seeking ways to protect their traditional lands and create opportunities for their members. Grassy Narrows has one of the country's longest standing blockades on a logging road north of the community, in a protest against clearcutting on traditional traplines. Now in its fourth year, the protest has attracted support from aboriginal and environmental groups, who helped set up roadblocks last summer. Last month, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced the initiation of talks with aboriginal communities, which would help provide clear guidelines for mining development. This follows a dispute between Big Trout Lake First Nation and Platinex of exploration work on the community's traditional lands last winter. By contrast, delegates to the Kenora District Municipal Association conference held in January heard how the creation of partnerships between investors, municipalities and First Nations could help create jobs in forestry, while building both certainty for investors and capacity for the communities involved. Chamber plugs revitalization Kenora chamber of commerce representatives also met with Ramsay March 8, where they discussed the implications of the city's downtown revitalization project with the minister. After listening to the street-level presentation about how the forestry downturn has affected the city, Ramsay also promised there would be good news for social services in the spring budget. "We should not be allowing anybody to fall behind," Ramsay said. Species at risk consultations The minister said there could be room for travel to the North, when the controversial new bill goes to committee after second reading. He said he had been talking with stakeholders during the drafting of the bill, and suggested the time for additional consultations would come following second reading. Council members across Northwestern Ontario are worried about the potential impact on logging, since there may be further restrictions on the areas eligible for commercial harvesting.