FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 20, 2020
QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett highlighted the importance of the forestry industry, both provincially and in the riding, during Question Period this week.
“In the early days of COVID-19, the province identified essential workplaces that needed to remain open. Among those were the mills, the processing facilities of Ontario’s forestry industry,” Barrett said during Question Period. “While we stayed home, Ontario’s forestry industry and the men and women who work in that industry kept on working to make sure that we had the materials that we need, like personal protective equipment, for example, to keep us safe.”
Barrett then took the opportunity to ask Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski what was being done to support the forestry industry.
Yakabuski outlined some of the measures the government had provided, such as providing the forestry sector safety measures fund.
Barrett asked about the economic contribution of the industry to the province.
“I see it first-hand in southern Ontario, across my riding in Haldimand–Norfolk,” he said. “I think of Townsend Lumber, and Arnold Hanson and Sons Logging. Porter Lumber has operated for years just down the road from my farm. Companies like this contribute to our economy. They provide good-paying jobs, certainly, to people in my riding and communities right across the province.”
Yakabuski answered that forestry is one of the “bedrock industries” of Ontario.
“The vital role that the forestry sector plays has been especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “The industry has a huge role to play in providing essential forest products for hygiene, medical supplies, food packing and shipping materials. This sector is critical to the provincial economy, especially in Indigenous, northern and rural communities. I come from one of those communities, so I understand, absolutely, just how important it is. It generates over $18 billion in revenue and supports approximately 147,000 direct and indirect jobs across the province, from Toronto to Timmins.”
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org
ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Official Hansard
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020
Forestry industry
Mr. Toby Barrett: My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. As we know, last week’s budget announced billions of dollars to various industries and businesses. In the early days of COVID-19, the province identified essential workplaces that needed to remain open. Among those were the mills, the processing facilities of Ontario’s forestry industry.
While we stayed home, Ontario’s forestry industry and the men and women who work in that industry kept on working to make sure that we had the materials that we need, like personal protective equipment, for example, to keep us safe.
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With that being said, Speaker, many businesses experienced added costs that came with keeping their facilities open. Through you to the minister, Speaker: What is the government doing to ensure that our forestry sector is getting the support it needs to keep workplaces safe throughout this pandemic?
Hon. John Yakabuski: I want to thank the member from Haldimand–Norfolk for his great question. This government sees the forest industry as a priority industry. In fact, we were the first to declare it an essential industry when the pandemic hit, so we were helping companies with some of the added costs associated with keeping their places clean and safe.
We worked with the federal government to secure $5.3 million through the forest sector safety measures fund announced in last week’s budget. This fund will ensure funding will go to eligible participants that operate small to medium-sized forestry companies in Ontario that have incurred at least $1,000 in eligible costs like PPE, additional cleaning and other related costs, between April 1, 2020, and February 1, 2021.
Speaker, the health and well-being of Ontarians is the number one priority of this government. That’s why we’re giving support to address these added costs while keeping our forestry workers safe while they remain on the job that provides much needed products for everyone in Ontario.
The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question?
Mr. Toby Barrett: I thank the minister for that response. I think it’s fantastic to see this government supporting Ontario’s forestry sector with these critical funds. Our forestry sector is a key part of Ontario’s economy. It is essential and is keeping our province functioning during this global pandemic.
I see it first-hand in southern Ontario, across my riding in Haldimand–Norfolk. I think of Townsend Lumber, and Arnold Hanson and Sons Logging. Porter Lumber has operated for years just down the road from my farm. Companies like this contribute to our economy. They provide good-paying jobs, certainly, to people in my riding and communities right across the province.
Speaker, can the minister tell this House just how important this sector is to the livelihoods of the people of Ontario and to our economy?
Hon. John Yakabuski: Thanks to the member for that supplemental question. It’s always a pleasure to speak in this House about the importance of the forestry sector here in the province of Ontario. It was one of the foundational bedrock industries in the opening of this province.
The vital role that the forestry sector plays has been especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry has a huge role to play in providing essential forest products for hygiene, medical supplies, food packing and shipping materials. This sector is critical to the provincial economy, especially in Indigenous, northern and rural communities. I come from one of those communities, so I understand, absolutely, just how important it is. It generates over $18 billion in revenue and supports approximately 147,000 direct and indirect jobs across the province, from Toronto to Timmins.
Speaker, this sector is critical to getting through this pandemic. They haven’t stopped working throughout this pandemic. Our government won’t stop working to make sure that they have supports that they need.