The NBFTA learned today that the Maritime College of Forest Technology (MCFT) has submitted a letter of opposition to the Standing Committee on Private Bills. The letter, penned by Robert Whitney, Executive Director, is published on this site with permission.
Click this link to open MCFT Opposition to Bill 22 or read below:
Gareth Davies
President,
New Brunswick Forest Technicians Association
1350 Regent Street
Fredericton, NB
E3C 2G6
April 4th, 2012
Members of the Standing Committee on Private Bills
Government of New Brunswick
To the Members of the Standing Committee on Private Bills,
On behalf of the New Brunswick Forest Technicians Association (NBFTA), I am writing to you in opposition of Bill 22: An Act to Incorporate the Association of Registered Professional Foresters of New Brunswick.
The NBFTA represents professional forest technicians/technologists in the province of New Brunswick. The NBFTA is not opposed to professional certification and accountability. The NBFTA is opposed to this proposed legislation and the process in which it was drafted.
In partnership with the ARPFNB, the NBFTA had been involved in drafting proposed legislation entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Association of New Brunswick Forestry Professionals,” and voted to oppose this proposed legislation on April 7th, 2011. Since that time the ARPFNB introduced “An Act to Incorporate the Association of Registered Professional Foresters of New Brunswick“.
The “Practice of Professional Forestry” is defined in this proposed legislation. This proposed legal definition includes both traditional forestry job descriptions as well as professionals teaching forestry in colleges and universities. This proposed legal definition includes all job tasks that both “foresters” and “forest technicians/technologists” have successfully completed for decades in the province of New Brunswick.
Under “Right to Practice” it is clearly stated that no person shall practise professional forestry unless registered as a Registered Professional Forester (R.P.F.) with the ARPFNB. Under this proposed legislation, only university-graduate forestry professionals (i.e. “foresters”) could be registered members of the ARPFNB. This proposed legislation would make it illegal for college-graduate forestry professionals (i.e. “forest technicians/technologists”) to practise forestry.
The current New Brunswick Forest Sector depends upon the professional abilities of both “foresters” and “forest technicians/technologists”.
Key stakeholders have not participated in the drafting of this proposed legislation. The ARPFNB has failed to meaningfully consult with key stakeholders.
The NBFTA will continue to insist that any legislation that attempts to define the practice of forestry should receive the formal and open support, consultation and participation of key stakeholders. The NBFTA believes that without the initial and continuing support and participation of key stakeholders, legislation of this nature should not be developed.
Due to the social and economic importance of the forest sector to the province of New Brunswick, this proposed legislation is of general public concern. The NBFTA cannot support this proposed legislation. It is our belief that it is inappropriate for it to be submitted as a private bill.
The NBFTA strongly opposes Bill 22.
We look forward to your meeting on April 12, 2012.
Yours truly,
Gareth Davies
President, NBFTA
GD/gd