The Government of Canada is investing in new commercial opportunities for Canada’s forest sector to ensure a competitive future for the industry, creating jobs and stimulating the economy. Today, David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, announced $17.8 million in Economic Action Plan funding to expand market opportunities for Canadian wood products.

“The Government of Canada is delivering results by investing in innovation for Canadian wood construction, both domestically and in global construction markets,” said Mr. Anderson. “We are committed to increasing demand for high-quality Canadian wood products, which will in turn create new, competitive jobs in Canada’s forest sector.”

The Canada Wood Program is investing $8.4 million in projects that increase export opportunities for Canadian wood producers in southeast Asia and other overseas markets. Additionally, initiatives under the North American Wood First program, valued at $5.9 million, encourage the use of wood in non-residential construction, both in Canada and the United States. Both programs leverage funds from industry partners to advance the goal of market expansion.

In addition, $3.5 million is being invested through the Value to Wood Program to support the development of new and improved value-added wood products and manufacturing processes. The Program is delivered in partnership with FPInnovations, academia and provinces.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is taking unprecedented steps to support forest workers and communities. The Plan includes investments of $1 billion, over two years, for the Community Adjustment Fund, which is creating jobs and supporting economic renewal in communities across Canada that are hardest hit by the economic downturn.

The Government of Canada is also investing $170 million over two years to support the development of new products and processes that will allow companies to capitalize on new market opportunities. In addition, an investment of $1 billion through the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program is supporting Canada’s pulp and paper industry by encouraging energy efficiency and production of alternative energy from forest biomass.

Source: Government of Canada News Release