Under the Ford government, Ontario has seen declining timber harvest numbers, the Ontario NDP asserted in a recent report. Averaging only half of the province’s total allowable annual cut, they said, “chronic under-harvesting reduces jobs, mill capacity, value-added production and regional economic activity.” This, they report, “despite the availability of sustainably sourced forest product.” Their report, titled “Room to Grow: The Ontario NDP’s Forestry Strategy,” offers a five-point plan as follows:

1. Take immediate action to defend our publicly administered forestry system against American mischaracterizations.
2. Defend Ontario jobs. Strengthen the forestry supply chain by immediately directing provincial agencies to prioritize Ontario forest products in procurement processes. 
3. Strengthen domestic supply chains. Fast-tracking residential construction and reprioritizing critical infrastructure utilizing Ontario forest products… Encourage biomass power… 
4. Lead industrial transformation. …leverage Ontario’s opportunity to be a national and global leader in forestry. 
5. Promote sustainability and support Indigenous economic participation and sovereignty through knowledge sharing, ownership and revenue-sharing.