Ontario Increasing Economic Growth and Participation in Forest Sector for Indigenous Communities and Municipalities

Ontario Increasing Economic Growth and Participation in Forest Sector for Indigenous Communities and Municipalities

Sustainable Forest License Issued to Temagami Forest Management Corporation

April 05, 2022

Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry

Temagami – The Ontario government is working together with Indigenous communities and municipalities on provincial forest management that will drive local economic growth and job creation in the forest sector by issuing a sustainable forest license (SFL) to Temagami Forest Management Corporation (TFMC).

Local forest management corporations like the TFMC bring Indigenous communities and municipalities together with the forest industry to steward responsible harvesting and management of local forests while supporting job creation and driving economic growth.

“Ensuring that Indigenous and community interests are represented in long-term decision-making means those most connected with local forests can benefit,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “With this license, we are expanding economic opportunities for Indigenous and other communities that rely on Ontario’s forests, while continuing to strengthen our partnerships across the province.”

“The establishment of the Temagami Forest Management Corporation signals the beginning of a new era,” said Faye Johnson, Chair of the Temagami Forest Management Corporation board of directors. “The board is honoured to be part of the stewardship of this forest and looks forward to working with the industry and community partners – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – to encourage innovation and investment while ensuring the unique attributes that make the forests of Temagami so special remain intact for generations to come.”

Creating and ensuring the continued success of the Temagami Forest Management Corporation aligns with Sustainable Growth: Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy – Ontario’s 10-year plan to create jobs and encourage economic growth through greater local and Indigenous community involvement in forestry.

Quick Facts

  • The Temagami Forest Management Corporation is the second local forest management corporation established by the province and will carry out forest management responsibilities on the 456,770 hectare Temagami forest.
  • The forest sector is critical to the provincial economy and many northern and rural communities, generating $18 billion in revenue and supporting more than 148,000 direct and indirect jobs.
  • Forestry was deemed an essential industry during the COVID-19 pandemic as the industry provides materials used in hospital masks, gowns and other hygiene products, as well as packaging for sterile medical items and food wrappings.

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