The provincial government is investing over $6.2 million in supporting the forestry sector in northwestern Ontario.
“Our government is proud to support world-class innovation in Ontario’s forest sector that helps the industry grow, create jobs and build prosperity in northern communities that depend on a strong forest sector,” said the Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, Kevin Holland.
“We’re taking bold, decisive action to protect good-paying jobs and economic growth in the face of US tariffs, including making targeted investments that ensure our forest sector is resilient for whatever else comes our way.”
Eight projects focused on underused wood and mill by-products are receiving funding, including:
- The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bioeconomy – Thunder Bay – is receiving $5,000,000 to develop and commercialize new bioproducts and promote forest sector growth
- Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First Nation) – is receiving $250,000 to support the ongoing development of a community district heating system by funding a study of local biomass supply and purchasing equipment to convert forest biomass to fuel
- Lake Nipigon Forest Management Inc. – Hurkett – is receiving $250,000 to secure an accessible supply of forest biomass for local development by supporting licensing, planning and development of a wood storage and merchandising yard for a regional biohub
- Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninugug First Nation (Big Trout Lake) is receiving $249,544 to increase community forestry capacity by funding training activities, purchasing equipment and developing a 10-year operational plan for forestry
- Pikangikum First Nation – is receiving $160,996 to develop a 10-year operational forestry plan and train community members on forest health, sustainable harvesting practices, equipment maintenance and safety protocols
- White River Forest Products – is receiving $130,000 to promote regional biomass use by studying the replacement of an on-site boiler with a combined heat and pyrolysis energy plant, which could produce marketable products like biochar and biocoal.
- Biopower – Atikokan – is receiving $100,000 to expand green energy production by funding a study of forest biomass as a potential source of renewable diesel, with the potential to significantly benefit Atikokan’s regional economy.
- Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper – is receiving $87,750 to support the facility’s modernization by funding two studies assessing current technology and designing upgrades to the current boiler, fibre recovery and sludge processing systems.
“The Ontario Forest Industries Association applauds continued investments through the Forest Biomass Program,” said Association CEO and President Ian Dunn. “Today’s exciting announcements will be instrumental in the sector’s continued innovation and diversification.”
“Maximizing the use of forest biomass will strengthen forest-sector-dependent communities, foster job creation, and support a fully made-in-Ontario supply chain for sustainable bioproducts.”
Ontario’s Forest Biomass Program invests up to $20 million each year in projects to increase wood harvest, create forest sector opportunities and find new uses for wood.
