Kevin Holland

MPP Kevin Holland presented a picture of Northwestern Ontario’s economic direction during the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Leader’s Luncheon on Wednesday. Recently appointed as associate minister for forestry and forest products, Holland said forestry has been the “cornerstone of our economy for generations” and will continue to be. “The question is how we can incorporate and work the synergies between the mining boom that we’re expecting here, and forestry, which is one area that we can capitalize on,” he said. “But it’s really about making sure that the industry is in a position to have that sustainability and that viability. We all know that there are some challenges in the forestry sector right now, but with every challenge comes an opportunity.” …”Though, biomass energy is currently the buzzword on everyone’s mind, let’s not forget about the traditional uses of wood — lumber, structural panels, newsprint, pulp and paper, tissue and packaging,” he said.