News release

Forestry Law Changes Meet Strategy Goal

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

The province is meeting another goal in its natural resources strategy by repealing the Stora Forest Industries Limited Agreement Act and amending the Crown Lands Act.

The changes will provide economic, environmental and social benefits to Nova Scotians by revising the way forests on Crown land can be managed.

"Nova Scotians want government to change the way their natural resources are managed to ensure that they are used sustainably and these legislative changes will bring the long-term stability needed in good forestry management," said Charlie Parker, Minister of Natural Resources. "We are helping to protect forestry jobs while managing our forests in a sustainable way."

The Stora Forest Industries Limited Agreement Act was implemented in 1959 to provide a licensing agreement for accessing timber on Crown lands to a specific company at the mill at Port Hawkesbury. Subsequent owners of the mill also operated under the act. The mill is now for sale.

"The Stora act is old and outdated. It may have met the needs of a previous era, but today government is seizing this opportunity to modernize forest legislation to be more sustainable," said Mr. Parker.

"These changes should give forest industry companies and investors increased confidence that our provincial government backs an active industry," said Steve Talbot, executive director of Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia. "With longer licensing agreements, companies will be able to plan for the longer term, continue providing secure jobs and a sustainable industry across the province."

Proposed amendments to the Crown Lands Act would allow the province to enter into long-term licensing agreements with forestry operators across the province. Licensing agreements allow companies access to timber on Crown lands and state terms and conditions companies must meet to have access.

Currently, the province can only enter into short-term agreements. The proposed amendments would extend agreements up to 20 years, and allow for renewals. Renewals would be granted if forestry operators met the province's standards and regulations.