The Ontario government is investing over $5 million to support workers and businesses in the forest sector in Northern Ontario, focusing on repairing key regional infrastructure and adopting new technology to modernize operations. This initiative aims to boost productivity, create new jobs, and open opportunities for revenue generation from underused wood and forest biomass, contributing to the sector’s competitiveness.
Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products Kevin Holland emphasized that the government’s investment is designed to build a resilient forest sector in the North, ensuring that businesses are prepared for new opportunities while safeguarding well-paying jobs for local communities.
Part of the funding includes $5 million under the Forest Biomass Program’s Innovative Bioproduct Manufacturing stream, helping wood products manufacturer EACOM install AI screening equipment. This project is expected to increase production capacity by 12%, reduce wood waste by 25%, and lower emissions by 21%, while diversifying operations and creating demand for small-diameter logs.
Additionally, Ontario is providing $475,000 to Northshore Forest Inc. to repair the Wenebegon River bridge, which is vital for forestry operations, tourism, and recreational activities in the region. These investments are part of broader efforts to ensure stability for workers and families while supporting the forest sector’s sustainable growth.
The Forest Biomass Program complements the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program, which has allocated nearly $72 million to enhance productivity and innovation. The Provincial Forest Access Roads Funding Program also supports public road infrastructure in Crown forests, benefiting industries such as forestry, mining, tourism, and emergency services.
Ontario’s forest sector contributed $21.6 billion in revenue from manufactured goods and services in 2023 and supported over 128,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2024. The province’s sustainably sourced wood provides a renewable, clean, and biodegradable alternative to single-use plastics.
Industry leaders and local representatives praised the government’s investment, noting its importance in ensuring reliable access to public forests, promoting innovation in forest biomass, supporting northern and rural communities, and protecting well-paying jobs across Northern Ontario.
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