This is my first column since the election of June 12th. Following the election the Legislature sat in July, recessed, and will resume again on October 20th. I have retained my position as Chief Opposition Whip and have been re-appointed as the Energy Critic. Being Energy Critic has necessitated a lot of time at Queen’s Park, even during the intersession as I have been inundated by requests for meetings with stakeholders from that sector.
On October 7th and 8th I attended and addressed the Ontario Energy Association’s annual conference in Toronto. The reality that the Liberal Government enjoys a majority will make it more important than ever that I engage with the vast array of stakeholders and ensure that the government is giving proper consideration to the advice and expertise that they have to offer. With a majority, the Liberals will be free to implement the plan they choose, but I will be watching them every step of the way and making sure the needs of Ontario’s electricity ratepayers (both residential and commercial) are addressed.
This past week I received disturbing news when Gord Miller, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, released his annual report entitled: “Managing New Challenges”. In his report he calls for the phasing out of commercial logging in Algonquin Park in the next 10 years. I spoke with Mr. Miller the day he released the report and challenged him outright on his recommendations. I asked him why, at this point, he would now be going after the sustainable practice of harvesting timber in Algonquin Park. I asked if he had a list of sticky notes up on the wall and randomly decided that this was the year to go after loggers who have supported our way of life for a century and a half. I pointed out to Mr. Miller that we have just been through a process with the Ministry of Natural Resources entitled: “Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park”. Although the recommendations of that report resulted in a reduction of the available land for harvest, it also clearly confirmed that logging and the other uses of Algonquin Park can continue to co-exist comfortably.
It seems that this debate doesn’t want to go away. The attack is just coming from a different direction on this occasion. Many people will remember my father had to fight to preserve logging in Algonquin Park over 40 years ago. The practice of an ecologically sound timber harvest has benefited the park in many ways. It has certainly benefited the communities surrounding the park—whose very success can be tied to forestry and lumbering. I am prepared to take this battle on again and I’m certain that my municipal counterparts will be with me every step of the way.
Speaking of municipalities, on the 27th of this month, all across Renfrew County and the township of South Algonquin citizens will be going to the polls to elect mayors, reeves, councillors, and school board trustees. In my time as na MPP, I have never seen more names on the ballot for these offices. I encourage everyone to get out and exercise their democratic franchise. I look forward to working with those who are elected, just as I have over the past 11 years.
