Gravelle moves to MNR

News — 25 October 2011

By Ally Dunham

Thunder Bay MPP, Michael Gravelle, formerly the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF), has taken a new position with the provincial government as the Minister of Natural Resources (MNR).

“I’m very excited and very honoured that Premier McGuinty has asked me to serve in the cabinet. That is certainly something you don’t assume when you are re-elected as part of the government but I’m privileged that he’s asked me take on a new responsibility with the Ministry of Natural Resources,” said Gravelle.

The former MNDMF has now become simply the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. The Forestry division has been moved to the MNR.

“This is certainly a Ministry that has great significance all across the province, but it’s particularly important to Northerners. With forestry being brought back to the Natural Resources fold, I’m very pleased that is part of the responsibilities I’ll be carrying on with this new role,” said Gravelle.

With the shuffle of the forestry department, the wood tenure act will continue to fall under Gravelle’s instruction.

“The forestry responsibilities that were previously under our ministry jurisdiction with Northern Development, Mines have been moved back to the Ministry of Natural Resources, so yes, those will continue to be parts of my responsibility,” said Gravelle. “That’s where I think the economic development aspects of natural resources will be a very important part of that ministry.

Some of the areas encompassed in the MNR include energy, fish and wildlife, forest management, land, licences and laws, maps and geographic information, parks and protected areas, public safety, science and research and water. The Far North Act is also encompassed under the MNR.

“I’m excited, I see great opportunities, the Premier has certainly made it very clear to all members of his cabinet and all members of the government that our strong focus will be on jobs, on economic development. Certainly in my role as Minister of Natural Resources, and as a member of northern Ontario, that is very much a priority for me, as with all members of Ontario,” said Gravelle.

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