By SooToday.com Staff
SooToday.com
Wednesday, January 23, 2008

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

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Martin welcomes court decision for Boniferro Mill

“Let’s move on with no court appeals”

SAULT STE. MARIE – The Ontario Superior Court decision awarding Boniferro Mill Works $1 million for paying an illegal tax since 2003 is “good for the mill, its workers and Sault Ste. Marie," MP Tony Martin said today.

“Let’s hope there will be no appeal of this decision so we can move on and get the money to Boniferro to help grow and develop our ailing forestry sector.”

“The judge appears to have ruled on a clear, settled legal principle that there can be no tax that has not been approved by elected officials.”

Ontario Superior Court Justice Gary Tranmer ruled Tuesday that the residual value charge (RVC) imposed on Boniferro by the Ministry of Natural Resources was collected unlawfully and must be repaid.

Tranmer directed the ministry to refund all residual value charges paid by Boniferro Mill Works since Boniferro took over the ailing mill in March of 2003, with interest.

Boniferro Mill Works asserted that the OMNR levied RVCs that negatively affected the profitability and long-term sustainability of the hardwood lumber mill and all of its employees.

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Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story

MNR screwed local sawmill. Judge orders huge repayment