A new Future for Forestry
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Since the Premier's decision on December 20th, the lives of those working in our important forestry industry have been turned upside down.
There is anger. There is despair and a feeling of hopelessness.
However, they are not laying down and giving up on Cumberland North. We are forward thinking and solution-focused.
Through real collaborative efforts by Jonathan McLellan, CEO of our local Cumberland Business Connector; Ian Ripley, manager of Athol Forestry; Tory Rushton MLA Cumberland South, myself and facilitator Frank Gallant and other community partnerships, we have been making strides that we are hopeful will reap rewards.
We have held four public meetings since January 5th, 2020.
We created a Forestry Advisory Committee that has been meeting weekly. We have also created teams to work on:
• immediate needs
• new market development
• policy needs
• long term strategies
Our work is being shared with the provincial Forestry Transition Team. I’m hopeful this team will respect this Cumberland team by responding favourably to their requests.
Our foresters, harvesters and truckers need immediate solutions to find a market for their low grade pulpwood and wood chips, and they need financial assurances.
Our general community needs all three levels of governments to explore supporting wood energy projects. Wood is renewable and low-carbon; it is a good alternative to fossil fuels.
The opportunity for these products lies in energy, including heat, electricity, natural gas, value-added products and innovative new products. We have a chance to use local, natural resources, reduce imports from other countries while supporting the men and women who are the backbone of this province and country.
As those working on the forestry transition into the future, I ask for the public's support. We must walk the path together. We are asking the Premier to help us. We are asking everyone in the province to support new ideas for the future of forestry.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
MLA Cumberland North
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