NBFPA Supports the Government of New Brunswick’s Announcement on Forestry

March 13, 2014

By: Mr. Mike O’Blenis, NBFPA Member

Revisions to the Provincial Forest Management Strategy by the NB Department of Natural Resources (DNR) , announced today  by Minister Robichaud in Fredericton are being met with guarded optimism from the members of the New Brunswick Forest Products Association (NBFPA).

We would like to thank Minister Robichaud for recognizing the importance of the Forest Industry to the Fabric of the NB Economy and Communities, and for recognizing the need for a change in Forest Policy to allow the Province to grow and promote a renewable resource, and in turn allow industry to increase its contribution to the economy, jobs and encourage new investment.

This announcement begins to pave the way to support the recent commitments by Premier Alward to “Strengthen the Economy with responsible resource development” and to “re-establish the NB forestry sector as a leader in North America”.

We are hopeful that these changes will be a catalyst to build a future for our communities through a renewable forest, by growing the resource and promoting investment.  The forest industry is a renewable economic driver and employment generator that is key to the future of NB, which is the most forestry dependent Province in Canada at 5.1% of the Provincial GDP.  The changes are also critical to keeping 22,000 hard- working New Brunswickers employed in the industry.