Opposition criticizes Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty for moving forestry back to Ministry of Natural Resources, reversing 2009 move that cost C$300,000

Lorena Madrigal

LOS ANGELES , October 21, 2011 (Forestweb) – Members of Ontario's opposition parties are criticizing Premier Dalton McGuinty’s decision to move the forestry portfolio back to the province’s Natural Resources Ministry, the Kenora Daily Miner and News reported Oct. 21.

This reverses McGuinty’s 2009 decision to move forestry to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry--a move that cost C$300,000.

Critic Gilles Bisson, the NDP house leader, said the previous decision was made to look at forestry through an economic development perspective--something the  Ontario Forest Industries Association had wanted--but now the new decision was sending mixed messages to the industry, and creating a "huge disconnect" between the industry and the regulations, reported the Kenora Daily Miner and News.

Former Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle said he would continue overseeing forestry as he is moving to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and he said this would effectively result in two ministries working on economic development.

The primary source of this article is the Kenora Daily Miner and News, Kenora, Ontario, on Oct. 21, 2011.

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