Forestry industry defends N.S. clear cutting, calls for more nuanced debate
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia forestry workers are a “misunderstood bunch,” especially on the contentious practice of clear cutting, a legislature committee was told Thursday.
“They are portrayed publicly as Joe Lumberjack with a chain saw looking to cut every tree from Cape Breton to Yarmouth,” Marcus Zwicker, general manager of Westfor Management Inc., told the resources committee.
“The effort and the decision-making and the passion for what we do really doesn’t make it to the public eye.”
Clear cutting and other forestry practices will be examined in a highly anticipated report by University of King’s College president William Lahey, that is expected to be released soon.