Northshore Forest Independent Forest Audit Survey

The purpose of doing Independent Forest Audits every 10-12 years (required by law under Ontario's Crown Forest Sustainability Act) is to audit the sustainable management of Ontario’s forests and to verify the management of public forests meets social, economic, and environmental needs of present and future generations as defined in current legislation and policy. The 2026 IFA is being carried out by NorthWinds Environmental Services out of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

IFAs provide the people of Ontario with an assessment of how well the audited forests are being managed. A document called the Independent Forest Audit Process and Protocol (IFAPP) provides direction in meeting the requirements of Ontario Regulation 319/20 made under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994 (CFSA).

This survey is intended to offer an opportunity to respond confidentially with any concerns or compliments about management of the Northshore Forest. The auditees (parties being audited) include the Sustainable Forest Licence holder as well as Sault Ste. Marie/Sudbury District MNR, Northeast Region and Corporate MNR.

Note: Personal information is collected under the authority of Regulation 319/20 (Independent Forest Audits) made under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. It will be used by the Northshore Forest Audit Team, the Northshore Forest Resource Management Advisory Committee, the Forestry Futures Trust Committee and the Ministry of Natural Resources for the purposes of developing an understanding of forest management concerns and issues for the delivery of the Independent Forest Audit. Please contact Ernie Demuth, MNR Senior Program Advisor, ernie.demuth@ontario.ca for more information about the collection and use of this personal information.