Region Archives: Canada East

KAWARTHA LAKES, ONTARIO -Two new and unique Forestry programs at Fleming College are preparing students for careers in a growing industry. Fleming’s new Forestry Equipment Operator certificate is the only one of its kind offered in Ontario. This 15-week course provides students with introductory training in heavy forestry equipment operation, forestry principles and proper safety techniques. The course also focuses on preventive maintenance, minor repairs, forest fire preparedness, forestry operations and harvest systems. Applied learning is a big part of Fleming’s Forestry Techniques program. This two-semester course teaches the skills to conduct field work and forest management operations in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence and Boreal Forest regions. Students graduate ready to move directly into the workforce. Fleming has also reworked its Forestry Technician-Adaptive Practices program that includes a paid co-op, providing students with networking opportunities as they meet and work alongside professionals within the forestry industry.

In 2019, I broke the news that the Doug Ford government would weaken the role of the conservation authorities that have protected Ontario watersheds for nearly 80 years. …This tension played out for five years. In that time, conservation authorities tried to work with the government to address its concerns while still protecting watersheds, but Ontario kept reducing their powers. …As you’ll read in my latest story, Ontario’s minister of natural resources will soon be able to overrule conservation authority permit denials, or the conditions they put in place to protect the environment. Developers can ask the minister to review denials and permits, and challenge the studies used to justify those. It will be easier to build docks and other small structures, even in places prone to floods, and the distance between development and sensitive shorelines and wetlands has been reduced. These changes take effect April 1, but they aren’t a joke. 

The ministry’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program has begun hiring crews in Ontario for this year’s upcoming fight against forest fires – nearly one month before the season technically begins. …But as recruitment and retention issues remain atop the biggest concerns for OPSEU – the union which represents fire rangers – veteran workers within the program don’t feel they’re prepared to adequately defend communities from inevitable blazes. …Former employees of the program joined Noah Freedman, a ninth-year forest fire crew leader, along with OPSEU president JP Hornick at Queen’s Park last week to share their disappointment with the “Ford government’s disregard for forest firefighters’ health and safety.” Their frustrations include inadequate health and safety training, lack of compensation for work-related illnesses and diseases, and “ineffective” protection methods like using bandanas and dry cloths to cover their mouths while in action. 

Quebec plans to turn the Mount Kaaikop territory into a reserve after a group of residents spent a decade in relentless pursuit of protecting the territory at the junction of the Laurentians and Lanaudière regions. The government’s announcement on Wednesday is the culmination of years of struggle to protect Mount Kaaikop for Claude Samson, president of the Mount Kaaikop Conservation Coalition. “We’re entering our 12th year of activism to preserve this territory,” Samson told The Canadian Press. In 2014, his citizens’ group won its case in Superior Court when a judge ordered the Ministry of Natural Resources to suspend its logging authorization. Since that ruling, the coalition says it has invested over $85,000, mostly in studies, to document the ecological value of the area, with a view to eventually turning it into a conservation project.

QUEBEC — With the snow melting and the ground beginning to dry, Quebec’s forest fire protection agency is already on watch, issuing its first warnings on Thursday. The province experienced the worst forest fire season in 2023, and authorities fear another major wildfire season. The SOPFEU (Societe de protection des forets contre le feu) danger warnings were the earliest the agency has issued them in its history. “It’s very, very, early,” said Isabelle Gariepy. While spring is not peak wildfire season, SOPFEU said it can often be more dangerous than summer. …This year, SOPFEU is anticipating another busy season. “We know that we have an early spring, so usually when we have already spring, the amount of fire is bigger,” said Gariepy. Meteorologists say above-normal temperatures over the winter are expected to continue through the spring.

The official start of the forest fire season in northwestern Ontario is less than a month away, but the union representing forest firefighters says the region does not have the personnel it needs. According to the Ontario Public Services Employees Union, the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Fort Frances fire district has six of ten fire crews in place. There are six of ten in the Kenora fire district, seven of 15 ready in the Red Lake fire district, and four of 18 set in the Geraldton fire district. Noah Freedman, a crew leader and a local vice president, attributes it to the ongoing health concerns being raised about the job. “People are definitely interested in the job. The problem is who wants to soak in carcinogenic emissions without being recognized that those carcinogens can give you cancer,” says Freedman.

In 2018, a forestry industry/academia dustup occurred after a CBC interview with University of New Brunswick forestry professor Tom Beckley. Beckley referred to “borealization” of New Brunswick’s forests caused by industrial forestry practices, some private woodlot management practices, and government policy. …In light of the recent announcement of a new provincial forest management strategy by Mike Holland, Minister of Natural Resources, this history of debate about “borealization” is particularly poignant. …Given that climate change indicates a growing affinity of New Brunswick forests to the mixed-wood Acadian forest type, and given that it has been documented that hardwood forests provide a more proficient foundation for turning the forest resource into employment via expanded wood processing, it behooves the New Brunswick government to reverse the trend toward borealization, to embrace a more ecologically driven forest strategy and to become more transparent in its annual “State of the Forest” reporting.

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has asked for permission to cut wood near the city’s water supply, prompting the mayor to assure the public that such requests undergo a stringent approval process. Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons says requests to perform work near the watershed go through the city’s watershed management committee. …There are different zones that make up the 11,000-hectare lake. Some zones are strictly forbidden to access, and some are more accessible but governed by safety protocols. Those guidelines are available to the public online, the mayor says. The watershed management committee — which is composed of representatives from council, environment, energy and mining industries, residents of Corner Brook and nearby towns that use the water supply, and the province — is reviewing the request to ensure it follows protocol.

An unusually warm start to the year and less snowfall than normal have Ontario preparing for a potentially difficult summer as climate change shows itself in “new and unique” ways across the province. At the end of February, the Ontario government warned people to put away bird feeders and protect outdoor food waste as black bears began coming out of hibernation early. …The warm weather that marked much of the start of 2024 is set to continue, according to Global News’ Chief Meteorologist Anthony Farnell. …The warm weather comes after a difficult 2023 firefighting season, marked by smoke that drifted thousands of kilometres across North America, reaching cities in the United States. Wildland forest firefighters, who have struggled for years with recruitment and retention issues, are in the midst of a campaign calling for concessions from the Ontario government.

Guy Bourgouin

A group of northern Ontario New Democrat MPPs want the province to address urgent safety issues for forest firefighters prior to the start of the 2024 fire season. Mushkegowuk James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin says they want the forest rangers to be included in Bill 149 and have the same protection and classification as other firefighters. “We know that they are young people because it’s hard work, and they are getting paid $25 an hour to jump off helicopters to go into the swamps, to go into the hard terrain and firefight,” he said. “And they are exposed to smoke that could later on give them cancer.” Bourgouin says they’ll be pressing the Ministry of Labour for clarification on the issue. “So we pushed questions today, and the Ministry of Labour answered yes they will,” But they said yes. Yes to what,” he said. “They didn’t go into detail. We’re going to follow up probably tomorrow and asked to clarify this on what it means by yes.”

The snow hasn’t even melted, but wildfires are already on the minds of Thunder Bay’s members of council, and city administration. David Paxton, the city’s acting fire chief, said Thunder Bay has already had some discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry about the upcoming wildfire season, which officially begins April 1. “They’re expected to be, I think, ramping up their preparedness a little bit earlier this year,” he said. “I know their normal callback is usually very early in April, they start to ramp up their crews and prepare.” “We were actually talking to them last week about some preventative prescribed burns, possibly along some railroad tracks and other areas of concern, but they’re paying attention to the weather and snow melt.” The matter was the subject of a deputation by Thunder Bay resident Malcolm Squires at Monday night’s council meeting.

THUNDER BAY, Ontario — Cat Lake First Nation signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with two leading Finnish organizations to collaborate on forest biomass and long-distance healthcare diagnostic initiatives. …The first partnership involves a health diagnostics initiative with 73Health, focusing on deploying advanced remote medical diagnostic solutions for the benefit of remote communities, including Cat Lake First Nation. This initiative is part of 73Health’s expansion plans across North America, with Ontario being a priority location. …The second partnership with Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) aims to advance a Northern Bioeconomy Network, focusing on scientific and academic exchange and the sustainable utilization of forest biomass resources for economic growth. The intent is to complete an ecological and economic master plan within a year. … Minister Graydon Smith said “Funding delivered by the Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships stream will ensure Ontario’s growing forest bioeconomy builds prosperity for Indigenous businesses and communities.”

Chelene Hanes and Matthew Shoemaker

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario — In her time researching wildfires, Chelene Hanes has watched a changing climate change our understanding of how forests burn. Hanes, a wildland fire research scientist with Natural Resources Canada, says researchers are updating their models to account for a warmer planet. …Research from the Canadian Fire Service (CFS), a branch of Natural Resources Canada, helps develop new and better ways to fight wildfires. Hanes is based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and was one of two people this year to receive the city’s medal of merit. “Dr. Hanes has not only enhanced the scholarly landscape of the community but has also ignited a passion for climate change, forest fire, and drought management in others,” the city said in its announcement for the recognition.

One of the main conservation authorities in the Ottawa area is concerned a lack of snow this winter could lead to drought in the summer. According to Environment Canada, Ottawa has seen 96.7 centimetres of winter precipitation since Dec. 1. Over the same timeframe last year, Ottawa saw 244.5 centimetres. That’s put those who monitor the Rideau Valley watershed’s conditions on alert. Normally, Stratton said, the spring freshet begins in the middle of March, with peak flow happening from the end of March into early April. …With minimal snow on the ground and warm weather slated this week, the region could be entering March with no snowpack — something that has Stratton worried about drought. It’s too early to make a firm prediction, Stratton said, as there could be another snow dump before winter is out, plus more rain in the spring.

Environmental advocates and conservation groups are rallying against proposed amendments to Ontario’s Endangered Species Act because protections for vulnerable species will potentially be weakened. The proposed new rules are easing protections to increase opportunities for various types of development and the creation of mining exploration trails. …Under the proposed amendments, habitat protection for the endangered redside dace minnow would be reduced from 20 to 10 years, potentially allowing development activities in areas inhabited by the fish for less than a decade. In the case of mining exploration, the changes would nullify current Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibitions that prevent companies from damaging and destroying habitat for trail-making. However, the new rules would include a suite of mitigation measures to protect caribou, wolverines, grey foxes, polar bears and other birds and small mammals. Conservationists say the changes prioritize development interests over the protection of at-risk plant and animal species. 

THUNDER BAY — The union representing forest firefighters in Ontario says the province’s aviation, forest fires and emergency services branch is inadequately prepared for the 2024 fire season. A spokesperson for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union alleges that AFFES has “a retention crisis” in which there are almost no experienced staff left in the program. “This is evident in the fact that Ontario was short roughly 12 per cent of its crews in 2022, and 26 per cent in 2023,” said Noah Freedman, vice-president of OPSEU local 703, and a ninth-year fire crew leader based in Sioux Lookout. “The numbers are getting worse because, though we have no problem hiring young 18 and 19-year-olds, the lack of experience means we have no one to lead those crews. The AFFES certainly doesn’t want to acknowledge this.” Meanwhile, Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan said yesterday that this year’s wildfires could be even worse than last year.

Indigenous leaders in Quebec are warning the province not to just pay lip service to a new provincial law requiring forestry officials to consult with First Nations when it comes to awarding new logging rights and contracts. Last week marked the first-ever Round Table on the Future of the Forest, which brought First Nations together with provincial forestry officials from the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF). In a statement released last week, the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) warned that negotiations must get off the ground on the right foot – and in good faith. “This new initiative by the Quebec government must translate into concrete actions and measures that respect the rights and interests of First Nations. They are inseparable from the future of our forests and the forestry activities that derive from it,” the AFNQL said. 

After the severity of the 2023 wildfire season, forest fire response teams said they want to make sure they’re prepared for the worst heading into 2024. “We have possibly a very serious fire season on our hands,” said Noah Freedman, a forest fire crew leader based in Sioux Lookout.  Freedman is also the vice-president of Local 703 Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents forest firefighters. Northwestern Ontario’s historic warm winter temperatures and low snowpack this winter add to the concern, said Freedman. But the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF)  said it’s too soon to say what the upcoming forest fire season will look like. “It’s very hard to place long term predictions about fire activity,” said Chris Marchand, a fire information officer with the MNRF’s Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services Regional Fire Centre in Dryden.