(February 23, 2022) – Pleaman Forsey, Shadow Minister for Forestry and MHA for Exploits, is calling on Minister Bragg and the Liberal government be fair, open and transparent when it comes to timber allotments in Central Newfoundland.

The areas in greatest question are forest management areas 10, 11, and 12, each located in Central Newfoundland, which are known as the fiber basket of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In 2017 the Liberal government unlocked 280,000 cubic meters of fibre that was initially held by Abitibi.

“The bulk of these permits were then issued to the 3 major players outside of zones 10,11, and 12, leaving little to no room for secondary processing in Central Newfoundland,” said Forsey.

“I am all too often hearing from residents of the area are frustrated in seeing truckloads of timber being shipped east and west of the island used for logging and pulp. With the amount of fibre in central, government needs to find more opportunities for a secondary processing industry directly in central NL.”

Forsey strongly suggests that government build a more diversified plan for future allocations that will be more supportive in growing smaller, local business.

“Government needs to support jobs in Central Newfoundland, so residents can see the benefits of the resources that surround them,” said Forsey.

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca