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HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION |
The North Shore Independent Forestry Association was formed March 2, 1997. The membership was made up of independent loggers, holding Overlapping Licenses issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources, who harvest timber from Crown land. This was the first time this group joined to form one organized alliance. At that time there were thirty eight Licensees, licensed by the Crown, of which three were receiving mills. The independent Licensees sell the majority of their harvested timber to these receiving mills.
Licensees conduct their forest operations throughout the Northshore Forest (former Mississagi and Spanish River Crown Management Units amalgamated) which is located along the northern shores of Lake Huron, stretching from Bruce Mines to Nairn Centre, and north past Hinkler Road and covers a total area of 12,506.9 sq km; refer to map below. |
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North Shore Independent Forestry Association was incorporated on June 29, 1998 in order to be considered as a shareholder of Northshore Forest Inc., the company holding the Sustainable Forest License on the Northshore Forest.
The shareholders at that time were three receiving mills; E.B. Eddy Forest Products, now Domtar Inc, St. Marys Paper Ltd and Midway Lumber Mills Ltd. North Shore Independent Forestry Association Inc. (NSIFAI) achieved shareholder status on September 1, 1998 and two Directors were appointed to the Northshore Forest Inc. Board.
The four pine trees in our logo represent the four shareholders of Northshore Forest Inc. |
From the onset, the association has been actively involved with Northshore Forest Inc. and the Ministry of Natural Resources on compliance and operational issues, with representatives on the Northshore Operations Sub-Committee.
Additional wood directives proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources in 2000, including the addition of two new mills from outside the area receiving wood supply commitments resulted in increased activities. Numerous discussions, meetings and correspondence were required to continually address and express the concerns of our membership. These additional wood directives required the creation of a Mill Operations Team which was established to facilitate wood flow from the Northshore Forest, and the association participates with the six receiving mills on this group. In October 2000, NSIFAI initiated and encouraged separate meetings with the mills to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding between each mill and our Association. Our objectives were to facilitate our member's individual negotiations with those mills.
In 2000, the Newsletter produced by NSIFAI was issued on a monthly basis and expanded to include not only a summary of meetings attended on behalf of their membership, but also health and safety articles, facts and tips, training notices, educational articles and other related information. In 2002, the Newsletter was distributed to NFI Directors, the Forest Management Superintendent and his key staff. In 2003, to further promote communications and information sharing, NSIFAI offered subscriptions to include non-members Licensees, contractors of Licensees and other forestry related industries. |
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| Since August 2001, a strong emphasis was given to areas involving health and safety awareness, education, training and expanding the association's library. The association initiated an Information Bulletin System and to date have distributed 14 difference topics. In 2002, NSIFAI held three certified courses open to all Licensees; WHMIS Awareness Refresher, Mechanized Harvesting Equipment Operators and St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid. In 2003 and 2004, NSIFAI made available to all Licensees various certified courses and workshops during our Spring Training Week. The association has provided other seminars and presentations each year when necessary. In 2003, an agreement was signed with the Ministry of Natural Resources to provide in-house training for the S102 Forest Industry Forest Fire Training, which will be made available to all forestry workers. In 2004 revised copies of the Occupational Health And Safety Act and Regulations, known as the "green books", were distributed to each Licensee at no charge. In 2005 two St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid courses were given. |
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In 2002, NSIFAI took the lead and became actively involved in an Emergency Evacuation Site Program on the Northshore Forest, partnering with the Sault Area Forestry Safety Committee (SAFSC). The association is committed to maintain and expand existing sites in the Sault Ste. Marie District of the Northshore Forest, and to establish new Evac Sites (currently not available) in the Sudbury District of the Northshore Forest.
In the fall of 2002, an Independent Forest Audit was conducted on the Northshore Forest and NSIFAI was proud to receive a Best Practice for communication efforts with its members through Newsletters and periodic bulletins and for being recognized as providing strong leadership and training for its members. The Audit Report 1 further noted that:
"NSIFAI has also been instrumental in promoting good forest management practices.....In conjunction with NFI and MNR, the Association has worked towards improving forestry practices through training and education. NSIFAI distributed a monthly newsletter and periodic bulletins that effectively communicate information regarding meetings, training events, and Health & Safety information. The monthly newsletter goes beyond any formal requirements and is viewed to be an innovative and valuable means of communication" |
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In September 2003, NSIFAI designed and launched their preliminary website; with the goal being to increase information flow, open up communications, encourage information sharing and increase education and awareness between all stakeholders on the Northshore Forest.
North Shore Independent Forestry Association Inc. (NSIFAI) will continue their efforts in developing strong partnerships with Northshore Forest Inc. and their membership, working together to promote compliance and continuing education and training to ensure responsible forest harvesting practices.
Footnote 1 - Northshore Forest Independent Forest Audit 1997-2002, dated March 2003 - Sections 3.1 and 3.5.1 |
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