In light of this year's…

In light of this year's pandemic, causing more destruction to our environment does not seem wise. This is precisely the type of behavior that has led us to our own demise.

Proposing a project like this is blatantly choosing to ignore the scientific evidence in the research from the University of Guelph published in the journal of Biodiversity and Conservation titled ''The scientific value of the largest remaining old-growth red pine forests in North America''. The paper states the Wolf Lake Forest Reserve is a ''scientifically irreplaceable system'' and ''that allowing industrial extraction in a northern Ontario old-growth red pine forest - the largest remaining in the world - would significantly threaten biodiversity in Canada.''. The effects of climate change are already threatening this sensitive ecosystem that resides between the boreal and deciduous forests, subjecting it to mechanized surface stripping, pitting and trenching and drilling would inevitably lead to downfall and perhaps even extinction. Evidence for this lies in the fact that only 1.2% of the original ancient forests remains today.

The benefits of protecting these ancient forests far outweigh the cons. They act as carbon sinks that help fight climate change, are a resource for understanding hydrologic processes, forest decline, climate change impacts and more. They are economically beneficial in that they infuse $3.5 million into the economy through nature tourism. They provide educational experiences for 700 youth annually. Internationally significant research relies on the ancient forests to monitor climate change. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Gord Miller (2008/09) ''believes that the government's failure to protect the Wolf Lake area, as is committed to in the 1990's, illustrates a serious policy flaw. The government should have the ability to rectify a mistake that has clear ecological consequences.''

Permitting an unlawful company such as Flag Resources (1985) Ltd. to operate at Wolf Lake ''seems contrary to the public interest''. Not only are they an ethically questionable company for failing to meet standard public reporting requirements and more, they are economically questionable as well. No economically viable minerals have been found in the 30 years that this company has been exploring the Wolf Lake area. On August 8th 2005 Flag shares were de-listed by the TSX Venture Exchange and cease-traded by the Alberta Securities Commission on May 19th 2006. In Ontario alone, there are 7,300 times the area of the Wolf Lake old growth forest that have active mining dispositions and active mining claims. ''We could protect all old growth red pine forests in the province without having a real impact on the lands available for mining exploration.''

It is clear that the ecological importance outweigh the economic ones concerning mining in the old growth forests. It also seems painfully clear that without action against climate change, there would be no future and no planet to mine on.