November 18, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

The following statement was issued today by Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Forestry and silviculture have become a valuable employment alternative for the rural economy in many areas of the province. Forests that have been silviculturally treated maximize the yield, survival and growth of the forest.

Twenty-one new or extended silviculture projects have recently been approved creating 1,371 person weeks of work. An extra $600,000 of Transitional Jobs Fund, a federally funded program, has been allocated to continue the silviculture projects such as pre-commercial thinning, cone collection, plantation maintenance and value added initiatives.

I am extremely pleased with the Employment Initiatives Program for forestry related activities. Over the past year 87 agreements were entered into. We provided employment for 704 persons, creating an estimated 8,154 person weeks of employment, with an investment of $3 million. Related to many other employment sectors, the employment investment ratio for silviculture is very high, as more than .75 of every dollar is paid out in wages.

Most silviculture is conducted in rural areas, employing rural Newfoundlanders. Forests that have been silviculturally treated continue to build equity and support the future of our rural economy.

I would like to thank the federal minister, the Honourable Pierre Peddigrew, and the Honourable Fred Mifflin for their continued support of forest related initiatives through the Transitional Jobs Fund Program.

Thirty-one projects were completed to augment the long-term wood supply by thinning 968 hectares. Roadside improvement projects treated 95 hectares and 64 hectares were planted in the Roddickton area.

Other forestry related projects completed were wood removal, trail construction, road maintenance and road improvement.

The resource benefits of this work effort include an increase in resource growth, value of salvaged wood, and reforestation. The human resource benefits are meaningful work and support our rural economy.

We must continue to invest in our forests. We must continue to increase the yield of our forest products and provide meaningful employment for our rural communities.

1998 11 18                   4:05 p.m.