FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 23, 2020
QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett highlighted the importance of the forest industry to Ontario at Queen’s Park this week.
During a statement in the Ontario Legislature Monday to celebrate National Forestry Week, Barrett talked about the $18 billion of revenue created annually. Ontario’s forest industry provides employment for 147,000 people.
“It’s a time to recognize the forest sector’s incredible contribution to our economy, especially rural, northern and Indigenous communities,” he said. “In southwestern Ontario, where my riding is located, there are over 5,400 jobs in forestry.”
Norfolk County has 25 per cent tree cover, one of the highest rates in the southern part of the province. It was also named the Forestry Capital of Canada in both 2008 and 2009 by the Canadian Forestry Association.
Provincially, there are 71 million hectares of forest. Every year there are 73 million trees planted in Ontario and two million seeds spread through aerial seeding.
“A renewed focus to keep this industry vibrant and sustainable means more good-paying jobs and economic growth for generations to come,” Barrett said.
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For more information, contact Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett at
519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/es-FHnEjiLg
ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Official Hansard
Sept. 21, 2020
National Forest Week
Mr. Toby Barrett: This week marks the 100th anniversary of National Forest Week. It’s a time to recognize the forest sector’s incredible contribution to our economy, especially rural, northern and Indigenous communities. Over $18 billion worth of revenues is generated every year, and it employs 147,000 men and women directly and indirectly. In southwestern Ontario, where my riding is located, there are over 5,400 jobs in forestry. A renewed focus to keep this industry vibrant and sustainable means more good-paying jobs and economic growth for generations to come.
Speaker, there are more than 71 million hectares of forest across the province. These diverse forests are renowned internationally for being managed sustainably, and obviously managed by very hard-working people. Every year, almost 73 million trees are planted and over two million seeds are spread through aerial seeding. Especially now with materials to make personal protective equipment like surgical masks, gowns and hygiene products coming from the forest sector, it’s more important than ever to keep Ontario’s forests healthy and productive.
I offer a hearty thank you for everybody who works in the industry. Thanks to our Minister of Natural Resources and our parliamentary assistant, Mike Harris Jr.