The Ontario government has announced a $10 million investment in Georgia-Pacific North Woods to support a major modernization and expansion project at the company’s oriented strand board (OSB) facility in Englehart. The provincial funding will contribute to a larger $191 million project aimed at increasing production capacity, strengthening Ontario’s forest sector, and protecting more than 220 direct forestry jobs along with hundreds of indirect jobs in the region.
The investment forms part of Ontario’s broader strategy to strengthen the province’s forest industry and help businesses remain competitive amid evolving market conditions and challenges linked to U.S. tariffs. The government stated that strategic investments in technology, infrastructure, and sustainable operations are intended to help the forestry sector adapt, grow, and maintain long-term resilience.
Through the Forest Biomass Program, Ontario’s funding will support extensive upgrades and operational expansion at the Englehart facility. Planned improvements include modernization of log processing systems, construction of new operational facilities, expansion of on-site storage capacity, and installation of updated industrial equipment. Once completed, the project is expected to increase production at the facility by approximately 14 percent.
The modernization project also includes the acquisition of a thermal energy system that will allow Georgia-Pacific to use wood by-products to generate heat and power for operations. According to the government, this approach supports sustainable forest management by maximizing the use and value of forest fibre and reducing waste.
Ontario officials emphasized the importance of regional manufacturing facilities in supporting economic stability and employment in forestry-dependent communities. The province noted that strengthening operations at key industrial sites such as the Englehart plant helps maintain good-paying jobs while supporting local supply chains and economic activity across northeastern Ontario.
The investment aligns with Ontario’s Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector, which focuses on defending, adapting, and growing the industry while maintaining the province’s position as a major producer and exporter of forest products among G7 economies. The strategy includes supporting innovation, expanding value-added manufacturing, and encouraging sustainable use of forestry resources.
The Ontario government stated that it will continue making targeted investments aimed at protecting forestry jobs, supporting industry modernization, and ensuring the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the province’s forest sector.
