Rob Tomchick

Abitibi-Consolidated Company of Canada Inc.

Since 1992, when the Lake Abitibi Model Forest first came into existence, Abitibi-Consolidated of Iroquois Falls has been at the forefront of advancing the principles of the model forest program. On a global scale, the Company holds shares in 27 paper plants in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia (including 50% ownership in Pan Asia Paper Co.), 22 sawmills, three secondary-manufacturing facilities, a commercial pulp plant and 10 paper-recycling centres. Abitibi-Consolidated is the world’s leading producer of newsprint and uncoated ground-wood paper. It is also the top recycler of old newspapers in North America, and the 6th leading producer of lumber in North America.

Rob Tomchick, Woodlands Manager for Ontario-East Woodlands with Abitibi in Iroquois Falls currently represents the Company on the Board of Directors.

"Our involvement with the Lake Abitibi Model Forest has been positive and constructive in the development of Sustainable Forest Management knowledge, indicators and on the ground practices for a decade now," says Rob. "A lot has been accomplished, and I know there is more to come in Phase III."

Rob is originally from Timmins, Ontario, and his work experience makes him no stranger to forestry in Northeastern Ontario. Prior to coming to Iroquois Falls, Rob was Woodlands Manager for Donohue’s Ontario operations and Chief Forester for Donohue, QUNO, and Ontario Paper Company. Rob has 25 years of forestry experience including 14 years in Timmins and Cochrane areas.

"After spending 10 years in southern Ontario, my family and I are delighted to be back in Northern Ontario." says Rob.

Rob graduated from the University of Toronto with a B. SC. Forestry degree in 1978.

Abitibi’s Iroquois Falls paper mill employs approximately 500, producing standard newsprint and some specialty products. The Company obtains the majority of its wood fibre from the limits of the Lake Abitibi Model Forest. The Ontario-East Woodlands Division, based in Iroquois Falls, employs about 130, and is responsible for the fibre supply to the Iroquois Falls mill as well as managing several Sustainable Forest Licenses including the Lake Abitibi Model Forest.

"There is no doubt that we have a vested economic interest in the sustainability of the fibre supply and other forest resources within the Lake Abitibi Model Forest," says Rob. "We are all members of local communities, and we want the long-term prosperity and stability that a well managed forest can provide."

The sustainable forest management policy of Abitibi-Consolidated meshes well with the goals and objectives of the Lake Abitibi Model Forest. The Company is committed to responsible and sustainable forest management through the integration of environmental, economic, social and cultural values, and always involving proactive consultation with all forest stakeholders.

Evidence of this is the fact that since 2000, Abitibi Ontario-East Woodland Forest Environmental Management System has been ISO 14001 registered and that their system addresses the six Canadian Criteria defining Sustainable Forest Management. The Company is soon planning to announce its next step in the certification process – which will be for Canadian operations to conform to the Canadian Standards Association’s (CSA) Sustainable Forest Management Standard. Abitibi-Consolidated will also pursue its active involvement in the development of the FSC Canadian Boreal Standard.

"We feel that Abitibi-Consolidated and the Lake Abitibi Model Forest will both benefit from our expanded certification efforts. Knowledge and expertise developed by the LAMF on Sustainable Forest Management will bring value these initiatives in forest certification," says Rob. "Through CSA SFM certification, we will be recognized on an international level as conforming to some of the world’s most stringent and forward-thinking forestry standards. We will both be able to demonstrate our leadership in forest management with confidence."

The Lake Abitibi Model Forest is pleased to have the continued stalwart support and involvement of Abitibi-Consolidated as Phase III of the model forest program commences.