I read with interest your editorial, 'What the province really needs is tax reform' July 13, in which the freeze on local property assessments was discussed. Your readers might be interested in another recent change to property assessment undertaken by the McGuinty government. This change has potential benefits for many rural landowners.

The Ontario Forestry Association (OFA) which represents woodlot owners across Ontario worked hard to achieve the property tax benefits now realized by the government's amendments to the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program.

The OFA applauds the McGuinty government for its support of privately owned forests which play an important ecological role in Ontario. The MFTIP was restored to its full benefit following changes made by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation without notice or consultation.

After preparing a forest stewardship plan, landowners with 10 acres or more of forested land can enter the managed forest program and receive a property tax assessment of up to 75 per cent.

In an effort to inform more landowners about the positive tax savings associated with MFTIP, Ontario Forestry Association and Trees Ontario Foundation will hold a free workshop series in the late summer and fall. These sessions are open to the public and will also cover the basics of developing a forest stewardship plan for rural landowners.

We will be conducting an information workshops near Orangeville, in Kitchener on Wednesday October 11, 2006 and Waterloo on Thursday October 12, 2006.

As well, there will be three information sessions in Toronto this coming November. Please visit our website regularly for location and time details.

MFTIP details and application forms can also be found at www.oforest.on.ca

Carla Grant Ontario Forestry

Association

Toronto