Forest History Ontario (FHO) was delighted to accept a generous invitation to attend the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) annual Convention in Toronto and was well represented by Chair, Jim Farrell, Vice-Chair Faye Johnson and Director Mike Willick. This 82nd Annual Convention was by any measure an outstanding success in terms of attendance (well over 200 for the April 29th Reception and the April 30th convention. On top of that, the Ontario legislature was very well represented by Premier Ford, six cabinet Ministers ( I hope my count is right on this) and a number of MPPs and Parliamentary Assistants. Premier Ford worked the room shaking hands with all attendees and some of the serving staff as well. The Reception was held at Limberlost Place, a spectacular mass timber building at the George Brown College Waterfront Campus, which the Premier was shown as a very attractive design and building option.
The following day was hosted at 1 King West (corner of King and Younge Streets) which is now hotel and residential space but has deep historic roots going back to 1879 when the Dominion Bank bought the property and established its Head Office. In 1914 a major expansion was built to create a 12-story bank tower that was referred to as a skyscraper at the time. Through various mergers the bank became the Toronto-Dominion Bank, and the property was redeveloped again in 2006 but carefully preserved and restored much of the original 12 story building. The "Banking Hall" pictured above, was a perfect place for the Convention with massive marble arches, soring ceiling and a palpable sense of history.
I was particularly delighted to see that their latest magazine, Field Notes, includes an article I wrote for them last fall that provided an overview of FHO activities in 2024. OFIA is a generous supporter of FHO and their contribution to our work is most appreciated.
See more on the Convention Program in the attached
Jim Farrell, Chair
OFIA Annual Convention Program - OFIA
Read Field Notes, the OFIA Magazine which includes an FHO Update
