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Resolute will relinquish timber rights in Iroquois Falls area, says MPP

Resolute Forest Products will relinquish their timber rights in the Iroquois Falls area says John Vanthof, the MPP for Timiskaming Cochrane riding.

Resolute Forest Products will relinquish their timber rights in the Iroquois Falls area says John Vanthof, the MPP for Timiskaming Cochrane riding.

Vanthof spoke at a Friday afternoon bonfire and a rally in Iroquois Falls to voice a demand for re-opening a bridge which connects residents to recreational areas on the east side of the Abitibi River.

The economic value of the bridge increases if it once again is used to transport wood for use at the future operations at the facility which Resolute Forest Products closed on December 24, 2014.

Vanthof emphasized the importance of finding someone to purchase Resolute Forest Products’ Iroquois Falls property who will use wood fibres in their operations.

The Crown Forest Management lands are across the river and the bridge will be vital for conveying the wood to the mill across the river.

There had been fears that Resolute Forest Products would hold on to its Crown Timber rights and thereby forgo using them in local Iroquois Falls commercial operations.

However, Vanthof said he was reassured by Resolute Forest Products management recently during meetings that they have no intention of holding on to their Crown Timber rights.

Vanthof raised the issue of Resolute Forest Products Crown Timber Agreement and its economic value as one more chip in the efforts to convince provincial and federal governments to repair and re-open the bridge.

“We talked about wood rights with Minister Bill Mauro of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry,” Vanthof told the crowd.

“We also spoke with Resolute Forest Products and they assured me that they have no interest in holding on their wood rights and will honour their obligations under the Crown Timber Agreements.

Vanthof also said it was important to find someone to take ownership of the bridge and undertake the expenses associated with its repairs.

“We are working with Mayor Shay and council, we have met with Minister Michael Gravelle of Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and Minister Bill Mauro of Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry,” Vanthof said.

"We are working together to find a solution to keeping the Trestle Bridge open and it will take time.

In a spirit of co-operation, Vanthof thanked Minister Gravelle for helping to set up meetings and meeting with him to find ways of rescuing the bridge.

(PHOTO: John Vanthof, MPP, Timiskaming-Cochrane Riding says Resolute Forest Products will relinquish their timber rights after closing its Iroquois Falls paper mill in December 2014.)


Frank Giorno

About the Author: Frank Giorno

Frank Giorno worked as a city hall reporter for the Brandon Sun; freelanced for the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star. He is the past editor of www.mininglifeonline.com and the newsletter of the Association of Italian Canadian Writers.
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