Toronto   Natural Resources Canada

Parliamentary Secretary Kelly Block, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, today announced an investment of $20.6 million in forest sector innovation to help create and protect jobs for Canadians. This new support is part of Canada’s comprehensive strategy for enhancing innovation and competitiveness in Canada’s forest industry. The Parliamentary Secretary made the announcement during her keynote address at the annual convention of the Ontario Forest Industries Association in Toronto.

The funding announced today will support 2015–2016 research by FPInnovations — Canada’s national, industry-led forest research organization — to help develop leading-edge technologies, processes and products in Canada’s forest industry.

FPInnovations has been an important collaborator in the ongoing transformation and renewal of Canada’s forest sector and has undertaken research and helped to develop and commercialize innovative new forest products and technologies.

Quick Facts

• Since 2007, the Government of Canada has invested $1.8 billion in support of Canada’s forest sector, including the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program, helping to bring innovative forest products and technologies into the marketplace. Canada’s forest sector contributed $19.8 billion to our gross domestic product in 2013, directly employing an estimated 209,000 workers in all regions of the country.
• The Government of Canada, through Economic Action Plan 2014, committed $90.4 million over four years to extend the IFIT program. As a result of this investment, IFIT will continue its work of helping to commercialize and implement advanced technologies in the forest sector.  

Quotes

“Our Government‘s support for forest industry innovation is helping create jobs and growth across Canada. This investment supports the development and commercialization of technologies that will enhance competitiveness and prosperity in Canada’s forest industry.”

Kelly Block
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

Contacts

Media may contact:

Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources