Backgrounder on Northern Boreal Forest protection legislation

On July 14, 2008 Premier Dalton McGuinty made an historic announcement that Ontario would protect at least 225,000 square kilometres of Ontario’s northern Boreal region. This is one of the largest conservation commitments 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, the Premier announced that the Province will develop new legislation to guide Boreal Forest protection and planning.

Quick Facts

• The Great Boreal forest of Ontario’s north is currently almost completely undeveloped. Located north of approximately 50 degrees latitude and covering an area of  45 million hectares or 43% of the province’s landmass, it is home to many Aboriginal communities who wish to plan for their futures.  It also contains wild rivers, wetlands and an abundance of pristine forests that provide habitat for many species that are threatened or rare in other parts of Ontario. It is also one of the largest terrestrial carbon storehouses in the world and its conservation is a cornerstone of the Premier’s climate change strategy;
• 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.

Tell the Ontario government to protect caribou habitat in the Southern Boreal >>

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