Unfortunately it’s a successful strategy that gets results. Years ago the Ontario government was abolishing a managed forest program that granted large property owners property tax concessions if they managed their forests responsibly (no clear cutting, managed annual harvests, forest plans drawn up by qualified ppl, etc.). Haliburton forest a large property owner (to the tune of 40,000 hectares) that also offers private snowmobile trails was negatively impacted. Their response. They started a clear cutting program along the backside of a bunch of cottage owners properties at the edge of their property. Said they needed the timber to pay the increased taxes. Wasn’t long before the local MPP had the managed forest program re-instated. Farmers have played this game several times as well. Hopefully this situation blows over quickly.
By
Signfan ·
