NewNet New - Ontario invites proposals for wood supply use

Ontario invites proposals for wood supply use

27 Nov 2009

The provincial government of Ontario, Canada is inviting proposals for the use of logs, branches and other wood from forests in the region. Ontario is initially accepting proposals for the use of approximately 11 million cubic metres of wood, to create green jobs and galvanise investment in the forest industry.

Ontario is encouraging the use of forest biofibre for the development of bioenergy, biofuel and other products currently derived from fossil fuels.

The competitive process is open to existing and new forest companies. Proposals will be evaluated on a number of criteria, including fostering cooperative relationships between industry and Aboriginal communities.

Including one third of the existing wood supply identified in forest management plans, the supply competitive process is the second stage of Ontario’s wood supply competition. The first phase was launched in January 2009, to determine if there was an appetite for a wood supply competitive process.

Michael Gravelle, minister of Northern Development, mines and forestry, said, ‘This government is putting Ontario’s wood to work to create jobs and generate wealth for Ontario when we need it the most. We are taking firm actions to ensure Ontarians get the maximum benefits from our sustainably managed forests.’

Forests cover almost 60 per cent of Ontario, and 90 per cent of forested lands are provincially owned and known as Crown lands.

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