For Immediate Release
June 8, 2016
Fredericton – Mike Legere, Executive Director of Forest NB, offered the following comment regarding Premier Brian Gallant’s cabinet shuffle.
“On behalf of the member companies of Forest NB, I would like to extend our gratitude to Minister Landry in taking a?prudent approach to moving the proposed Crown land forest strategy to realization. We think he has represented the interests of New Brunswickers very well in his capacity as Minister of Natural Resources,” Legere said.
Legere added, “Forest NB is confident that Landry’s successor, the Hon.?Rick Doucet?will move to support the full?adoption of the forest management strategy whose benefits have already been realized. Over 500 jobs have been created with investments of over $500 million including a recent $12 million investment by Twin Rivers Paper this week in their Madawaska operation.”
It was encouraging at a recent Opportunities Summit held by the provincial government to hear Mr. Doucet, the former minister of Economic Development, speak of business productivity and innovation including the forest industry in the province.
“The forestry sector in New Brunswick punches well above its weight when it comes to forest management. In New Brunswick, our managed?Forests, on a per hectare basis, annually out-produce the national average by almost three times in terms of growth and yield. This is a solid example of our natural competitive advantage in forest renewal and the knowledge based resources that work behind the scenes to keep us competitive,” Legere said.
Legere also notes that Forest NB is pleased to see Minister Donald Arsenault, who is responsible for Madawaska-Restigouche, take charge of the Intergovernmental Affairs?portfolio.
“Mr. Arsenault is an able and experienced minister who we believe can advocate on behalf of all concerned New Brunswickers?as we seek federal support for increased investment in New Brunswick forests, particularly in silviculture,” Legere said. “We believe this will help stage New Brunswick’s long term contribution to climate change by sequestering more carbon emissions in our forests. The additional benefit of?investment in silviculture would?be the immediate creation of some three hundred silviculture related jobs and securing existing employment.”
Contact:
Johnny Cullen, Communications Coordinator of Forest NB
506-452-6390
