There’s a staffing crisis in the forest industry. That was the gist of a presentation to Renfrew County Council by the CEO of Forests Ontario, Rob Keen. Keen says they need to encourage youth and high school students to learn more about the forest industry, so even if they don’t end up working in that field, they see the benefits it provides. He adds seven per cent of the population, or 6,900 people in Renfrew County are employed by the industry. Keen told county council there’s a staffing crisis in the forest industry and with the cancellation of the 50 Million Trees program, nurseries won’t be planting and stocking trees for 4-years down the road.
Keen says 50% of wood is made of carbon and with a climate emergency declared this year, understanding the benefits trees and forests play is important. The 50 Million Tree program looked to increase forest coverage across Ontario and since 2007, had planted 27-million new trees. Keen says the program was cut as a part of the provincial government’s budget back in April.