Backgrounder: New coalition calls for new law to support the Green Economy in Ontario’s Great Boreal Forest

Protecting Ontario's Great Boreal

On July 14, 2008, Premier Dalton McGuinty made a historic announcement that Ontario will protect at least 225,000 square kilometres of Ontario’s northern Boreal region (www.premier.gov.on.ca/news/Product.asp?ProductID=2353).
This is the largest conservation commitment in Canadian history and will elevate Ontario to being a world leader in protecting terrestrial carbon and conserving the internationally significant Boreal ecosystem.
On September 19th 2008 the Premier announced that the Province will develop new legislation to guide boreal protection and planning.

Great Boreal Forest Facts

The Northern Boreal region is 43 per cent of Ontario's land mass
It is home to 24,000 people living in 36 communities
The region absorbs approximately 12.5 million tonnes of CO2 from our atmosphere each year
There are two operating mines in the region, Victor Diamond Mine and the Musselwhite Gold Mine
There is considerable economic potential from additional mines and from hydroelectric development
There is only one all season road in the region which terminates in Pickle Lake
The region is a stronghold for Woodland Caribou, Polar Bear, Lake Sturgeon, Wolverine and other species at risk.

About the Ontario Boreal Futures Coalition

The Ontario’s Boreal Futures Coalition includes CPAWS Wildlands League, Ecojustice, Environmental Defence, Environment North, Forest Ethics and Ontario Nature.
The Coalition is working to support establishment of new conservation‐focused land‐use planning legislation for the far northern boreal region of Ontario.
We are working closely with First Nations, scientists and government to ensure that this new legislative framework realizes the Premier's commitment to protecting 50% or more of the region, better protecting species such as caribou, wolverine and sturgeon where development does occur and enabling and supporting First Nation involvement in the planning processes.
The Coalition will undertake a variety of education and outreach activities as part of its work. These include the launch and distribution of the “New Boreal Times”, publication, the launch of a new website that contains an interactive flyover of the region (www.borealopportunity.ca) and organizing public events and collaborative work with First Nations, industry, and government.

Find more information on the values of the region at www.borealopportunity.ca