Municipal
Forestry update
The Kenora Local Citizen’s Committee (KLCC) met on March 11, 2025. The committee consists of representatives from the Kenora Trapper’s Council, Weyerhaeuser, Wabushang Lake, City of Kenora, Miisun, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), professional foresters, mining, Treaty #3, independent loggers, and LOWDSA.
An item agenda was the review of the Administrative Amendments:
- Minor amendments will require one public forum with a 15-day comment period.
- Major amendments will require 2 public forums, a 30-day notice and a 15-day comment period.
Reforestation
In the Whisky Jack Forest, the harvest of 1,200 hectares saw 478,500 trees planted covering 382 hectares (944 acres). In the Kenora Forest, 1,165 hectares were harvested with 157,000 trees planted, 20 hectares seeded, and 537 hectares left natural.
At our next meeting the committee will discuss MNR infrastructure and maintenance and public road restrictions. The KLCC is planning a summer field trip to learn about field operations. It is also seeking topic suggestions such as forest health, innovations, fish stocking, etc. for future discussions.
Please forward these suggestions to LOWDSA at lowdsa.com/contact-us. For a comprehensive look at the Forest Management Plan go to nrip.mnr.gov.on.ca/s/fmp-online?language=en_US
Federal
Increase in capital gains tax deferred
By Mona Brown, B.A., LLB., C.ARB., TEP
The Federal government has announced that the proposed increase in the inclusion rate for capital gains tax for corporations and individuals (with gain over $250,000) from 50 per cent inclusion to 66 2/3 per cent inclusion has been deferred until January 1, 2026. This may change if a different government is elected. Mark Carney has announced, if he is elected, he will not implement this proposal as people need incentive to invest in Canada.
This means that cottagers have at least until January 1, 2026, to sell and pay capital gains tax based upon the lower inclusion rate. The time to succession plan a sale is thus in 2025.
The announcement re-confirmed that the extra $250,000 of Capital Gains Exemption (CGE) is in effect now. However, the law has not been passed, and I would caution anyone who wants to rely on this extra exemption to be cautious.
The CGE is only available for farms, fishing and sale of shares of small business corporations.
For further information, call us at (204) 745-2028.
