The Ontario Forestry Coalition is not happy with new proposed policy changes from the MNRF.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is looking to combine parts of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and the Endangered Species Act.
The OFC says this is a bad idea long-term, since the two acts have very different goals.
According to Ian Dunn from the Ontario Forest Industry Association, the Endangered Species Act is meant to only protect certain species. He also says the ESA is not set up well for forest management. On the other hand, Dunn says the Crown Forest Sustainability Act takes a long-term approach to forest management by balancing social, economic and environmental goals.
He added that these changes will harm the forestry industry as well as the communities supported by it, including Parry Sound.
The crown forests in the area are home to several endangered species, which will make it more difficult for forestry industry to be able to harvest trees.
The MNRF says the goal of combining the two acts is to develop a framework that provides protection for species at risk while reducing impact on forest operations and wood supply.
They add that they have had ongoing discussions with various stakeholders while working on ways of integrating the acts.
The ministry will post the framework for the integrated act on the Environmental Registry once it is developed.