TORONTO — Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski stood in the Ontario Legislature to question Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Bill Mauro regarding recommendations in Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller’s Annual Report which suggest ending the harvest of timber in Algonquin Provincial Park.
MPP Yakabuski wanted to question Minister Mauro in the Legislature on this vital issue as soon as possible after the release of the Commissioner’s report. “I wanted to hear directly from Minister Mauro that he would put the interests of local residents, tourists, and the province’s forest indusrty ahead of politics by outright rejecting Commissioner Miller’s recommendation” MPP Yakabuski said.
During his question, MPP Yakabuski pointed out that the park has demonstrated time and time again that it has the most stringent and comprehensive management system in the world. Moreover, the multi-use function of Algonquin Park makes it a world leader in responsible resource management—something that has been going on for more than 120 years.
“I was encouraged to hear Minister Mauro state that he has no intention of shutting down forestry in Algonquin Park,” MPP Yakabuski said. “Only by flatly rejecting that part of the Enviornmental Commissoner’s plan can the people in my riding have peace of mind.” Yakabuski concluded by saying that as long as he is a Member of Provincial Parliament he will continue the fight to keep Algonquin a multi-use park.
