Shuffle of the Ontario Forestry department met controversial reaction

   Moscow. Jul 03, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Recently Ontario's Premier, Dalton McGuinty, decided to move the responsibility of the Forestry portfolio out of the Ministry of Natural Resources and into the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

As ForestTalk reports, the decision to give forestry to Michael Gravelle, the current Minister of Northern Development and Mines was met with praise by some forestry officials who believed a northern minister, no matter what the ministry, was best suited to handle forestry issues. Some, however, criticized the move and said that forestry belongs no where else but the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The current Minister of Natural Resources, Donna Cansfield, has said what is important is the industry and not the ministry it is under.

Early reaction from regional politicians indicates a belief that forestry will be better served in the Northern Development and Mines ministry with Minister Gravelle.

MP John Rafferty (NDP. Thunder Bay – Rainy River), who also serves as the federal NDP forestry critic, said he sees the move as a positive for the industry and the region.