News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – A prominent businesswoman and a well-known mining executive will serve on a task force to establish timber objectives for Crown land, Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup said today.

"We are pleased to have Andrea Feunekes and Roger Clinch join chairman Norman Betts in carrying out this important task,'' said Northrup. "Together, they have the collective experience and knowledge to help establish timber objectives for New Brunswick's public forests.''

Feunekes is co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Remsoft Inc., a Fredericton-based developer of software for managing resources, especially in the area of forest management. She is a member of the New Brunswick Business Council and a recipient of the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Clinch is the director of corporate affairs with Xstrata Zinc Canada, operator of Brunswick Mines and Brunswick Smelting. He is a former educator, Bathurst mayor and MP.

Clinch and Feunekes will join Betts in making recommendations to the provincial government by July 1.

Betts, who is a member of the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, was appointment task force chair in January. He was involved in the selection of Feunekes and Clinch as task force members.

"I am pleased that Andrea and Roger have joined the task force team,'' said Betts. "They bring a forward-thinking global perspective, and, at the same time, they have a solid understanding of the importance of the forest industry to New Brunswick communities.''

Northrup said he expects to make an announcement soon on the remaining members of a separate task force to establish timber objectives for private land. This task force is chaired by Donald Floyd, interim dean of the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. It has a mandate to set timber objectives that provide a stable and predictable wood supply from private land and will make its recommendations to the provincial government by Dec. 31.

"Having timber objectives for Crown and private land will focus the efforts of private woodlot owners, industry and government on putting in place the right policies and practices to improve the competitiveness of our forest sector,'' said Northrup. "Improving competitiveness will allow us to grow this sector.''

The establishment of the two task forces was part of a series of actions announced in December to strengthen and renew New Brunswick's forest industry. The actions were in response to recommendations made by stakeholders at the Forestry Summit held Nov. 19, 2010.

A complete report on the summit, including what was discussed, the recommendations made and the provincial government's response, is available online.

LINK:

●    Department of Natural Resources: www.gnb.ca/naturalresources