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Natural Resources October 18, 2006 Public Consultations Launch Forest Industry Review Given the importance of the province�s forest industry to rural Newfoundland and Labrador and the provincial economy, government is holding a series of public consultations on how best to grow and diversify the industry on the island. The consultations are part of a larger review of the entire forest industry that government committed to undertaking last March. The Forest Industry Competitiveness and Strategy Study will assess the current state and structure of the industry and provide a path forward that is responsive to the global economy. "This process will provide people closest to the resource with an opportunity to be part of the formulation of policy that will guide the future direction of the forest industry," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. "This review is part of our commitment to finding ways to expand and diversity the forest sector. For example, we have identified forest products as an area of growth potential and this initiative allows people to be part of the process of identifying these growth opportunities in their own communities."Government has gone to tender to retain a consultant to complete the Forest Industry Competitiveness and Strategy Study for the island. The tender should be awarded shortly and the Terms of Reference for the Study can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/nr/. The information gathered through the public consultation process will be given to the successful bidder and be incorporated into the study. A similar process has already taken place in Labrador. The consultation process is being lead by Charlene Johnson, MHA for Trinity-Bay de Verde and parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources. Public meetings have been scheduled at six locations across the province. Each session begins at 7 p.m. The locations and dates are: Individuals or groups who wish to make a presentation at the meeting must pre-register by contacting the Department of Natural Resources toll-free at 1-877-636-2996 or by sending an email to forestryconsultations@gov.nl.ca. Written submissions are also accepted at the above email address or by mail, until November 9. Mail to:
Additional information about the public consultations process and the Forest Industry Competitiveness and Strategy Study is available by calling the toll-free number. Media contact: Tracy Barron 2006 10 18 12:45 p.m.
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