The Forest Products Association of Canada says they have had a solid working relationship with both levels of senior government over the years.
President and CEO Derek Nighbor says they would like to strengthen that partnership this year by addressing one key barrier.
“Increasingly we’re seeing the federal government trying to get into regulatory duplication around water, and around conservation, and around carbon. So we’re really pleading with the federal government. Let’s work together with the provinces.”
Nighbor adds, “It’s tough dealing with duplication, additional costs and uncertainty. But in a tough economy like this one, we really got to get the regulatory environment right. So let’s get away from the duplicate of stuff that’s adding uncertainty and costs onto business.”
Nighbor says right now forest companies operating in northwestern Ontario primarily work on provincial lands and deal with the Ontario government on consultations and approvals.
