Kirkland Lake Region Explores Natural Resource Potential

Ontario is helping the Town of Kirkland Lake and the Township of Gauthier undertake a significant natural resource management project.

The province is providing $31,500 toward the Kirkland Lake District Natural Resource Management Strategy. The strategy will include collecting data on local natural resources and evaluating their potential value so they can be used in an environmentally and financially responsible way. The strategy will also study the potential for future economic development opportunities such as waste wood management, a bio-energy plant and a wood drying kiln operation, which could attract $2.5 million in new investment.

The funding is part of the Rural Economic Development Program, which invests in community-based projects in three priority areas:

• Improved access to health care services
• Revitalized communities and downtowns
• Enhanced skills training.

QUOTES

"The Natural Resource Management Strategy gives Kirkland Lake and Gauthier the opportunity to map and inventory their natural resources," said Timiskaming-Cochrane M.P.P. David Ramsay. "It is designed to develop on current strengths within the mining and forestry sectors in order to create economic opportunities that lead to diversification."

"This project will help our communities evaluate our timber and mineral assets as well as potential land use opportunities to create a strategy that brings our local resources into productive use," said the Town of Kirkland Lake Director of Economic Development Wilfred Hass.

QUICK FACTS

• Since 2003, Ontario has invested $65 million in 199 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program.
  

LEARN MORE

Learn more about Ontario's natural resources.

Find out more about the Town of Kirkland Lake.

For more information, contact:

Sherry Persaud, Minister's Office, 416-326-6439
Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342