Ontario approves logging plans on Grassy Narrows territory - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources News Roundup

Grassy Narrows has rejected a recently announced Ministry of Natural Resources plans to proceed with further clearcuts in the Treaty #3 community’s traditional territory.

“Premier Wynne, it is within your power to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated at the expense of another generation of Grassy Narrows children,” said Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister in a Dec. 23 press release. “I call on you to intervene to repeal this hurtful plan and to ensure that never again will Ontario attempt to force decisions on our people and our lands.”

Even though the MNR’s Forest Management Guide for Natural Disturbance Pattern Emulation calls for 80 per cent of planned boreal forest clearcuts to be less than 260 hectares in size, the Whiskey Jack Forest Management Plan 2012-2022 calls for only 76 per cent of the clearcuts to be less than 260 hectares in size.