Denis Landry misses deadline for Crown forestry changes

The Gallant government has missed its own deadline for deciding whether it will alter contracts signed with large forestry companies by the former Progressive Conservative government.

Natural Resources Minister Denis Landry said on Dec. 10 that he needed six weeks to review the Crown forestry agreements.

Landry said he wanted to take the time to review his options to avoid ending up in court against the Irvings and other forest companies.

The natural resources ministers own deadline has now passed.

A provincial government spokesperson saidwork is continuing on the Crown forestry reviewbut there is nothing to report and no decisions have been made.

Murray Munn, a businessperson and a woodlot owner, said he is not a fan of provincial forestry policy.

"There we are with the Crown land losing $34 million a year."

Munn said allowing the provinces largest companies to lease and cut public forest amounts to a huge subsidy.

In 2014, the previous Tory government signed deals allowing those large forestry companies to cut even more trees on Crown land.

The New Brunswick Forestry Plan allows a 20-per-cent increase in wood harvesting on public land and reduces the amount of forest set aside for conservation.

Landrys department released the forestry agreements signed by the former Tory government in December.

In November, AnthonyHourihan, the director of land development for J.D. Irving Ltd., said he didnt think the Liberal government would make any changes to the contentious forestry plan.

Green Party Leader David Coon said on Tuesday hes anxious to find out what the new Liberal government will do with the former governments forestry policy.

"I'm waiting to hear what the minister's going to deliver. He kept saying he was between a rock and a hard place and he has to find his way out of there, he said.

Coon said the provincial government can simply pass legislation to change the contracts and prevent the companies from suing.

The provinces Green leader said on Tuesday that the recent collapse of Maritime Fibre and Energy could have been avoided and demonstrates the need for a new provincial forestrypolicy.