|
What's new in Ontario's forests?
- Yes it is official, the OFBA has achived its number 1 goal- the forest industry, and northern Ontario now has a representative on the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board's Board of Directors. Genevieve Knauff is the new appointment, an OFBA Director. see the May 23rd issue of The Working Forest .
- November 23rd is the next date for the Board of Directors Meeting, to be held in Thunder Bay. As part of the Agenda are topics such as Lottery Licensing through Education, as well as a new media campaign to remind the people of Ontario, that they should support this industry, and reflect on the positives that we bring to the environmental questions surrounding climate change.
- Plan to attend a Wood Grinding for Co-Gen session for Abiltibi's new Co-Gen initiative in Fort Frances. This session is being held at the Place Rendezvous just outside Fort Frances, November 20th. This a geat opportunioty for those contractors interested in supplying Co-gen opportunities. There will be equipment suppliers and other people in the business available. This is the new frontier for us Ontario Forest Businesses.
- WSIB Chair Hon. Steve Mahoney pledged that he would recommend that forest business and northern Ontario will be represented on the WSIB Board, and so the OFBA has made recommendations as to who they would propose to fill a seat on this important to the business of forestry, Board.
Also on the WSIB front, the OFBA Board passed a resolution July 13th, to take the WSIB up on its offer to consider a 2-rate system for logging rates, with one rate for conventional and another for the safer mechanized method of logging. What the OFBA is proposing is that their members see a return on their investments into safety and safe working practices, as well as the fact that the switch to mechanized logging has reduced the number and severity of logging incidents. The OFBA will be setting out a fact-finding exercise to determine the validity of this common-held belief.
- Acting OFBA President, Bill Murphy has agreed to become the OFBA'S second President as was determined at the July OFBA Board meeting. Vice President is Fred Brown, with Jeff Lafontaine taking on the role of Treasurer.
- Also on July 13th the OFBA met with Dr. Bob Rosehart to explain what the OFBA sees as important solutions to improving economic growth in the forest sector. that being;
a) that northeners take over responsibility for resource-based issues,
b) a reduction in regulations that are crippling the forest industry. Our competitors do not have to deal with the costs of these over-done policies and regulations. A northern Resource-users group would be the body to determine whether a new policy is vaild and outline the costs to the industry, similar to an Algonquin Forest Authority body. It is time the province realize that on-size does not fit all!
c) that the MNR be re-examined for their role in resource development. Should they be only respnsible for parks?
The OFBA Annual General Meeting was held May 12th at the Prince Arthur Hotel in Thunder Bay. Keynote Speaker Bob Rosehart (new economic facilitator for northwestern Ontario addressed the crowd and will advocate for the forestry industry that is the lifeblood of our communities." The trees are here and people will always want our forest products", Dr. Rosehart stated. Rosehart expects to visit communities to learn about their suggestions on improving the economy.
- WSIB Chair, Steve Mahoney visited the OFBA June 28, where Mr. Mahoney participated on a tour of Larry George's logging operation, where Mr. Mahoney operated a delimber for the first time, stating that he would be "hard-pressed to make a living at it".
- The OFBA made a presentation to the Bancroft Area Forest Industry Association on May 10th at 7:30 pm at Freymond Lumber located at 2287 Bay Lake Road, Bancroft. The Bancroft and Area Forest Products Association are OFBA 's newest members.
- The Kenora Lake of the Woods Forestry Trade Show co-sponsored by the OFBA, and Canadian Tradex was a huge success. The OFBA initiated the concept, and May 3/4 saw the forest industry from Ontario and Manitoba come together to see new Value-Added exhibits and new forestry machinery.
- Winning Solutions 2007- a FERIC session on improving trucking efficiency was held at the Thunder Bay Travelodge, April 4th
- According to Confederation College Brian Kurikka, there will be a shortage of Forestry Technicians this summer severly impacting regen/silviculture programs!!!!
- First Meeting for the formation of a northwestern Ontario Woodlot Chapter, as a new chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association was held May 10 at 7:30 pm at the Valhalla Thunder Bay.
- Bill and Mike met with MNR Industrial Relations on Feb.1st in The Sault. Another first of regular meetings.
- We now represent the interests of logging and trucking contractors, silviculturists and supporting firms across Ontario, and we have Board members across Ontario.
- Please welcome new OFBA Board members, Wyatt Pawluk of Kabi Lake Logging,Terry Rosko of Rosko Forestry in Kirkland Lake, Deb Madill of S.W.Madill Forestry in Huntsville, and Genevieve Wiens of Buchanan Forest Products-Thunder Bay.
|
