April 3, 2019 Quebec City, Quebec Natural Resources Canada
Investing in research and development (R&D) creates tremendous opportunities for the forest sector and will result in new technologies and good jobs for our communities. That is why Budget 2019 proposes up to $91.8 million over three years, starting in 2020-21, for the Forest Innovation Program. This proposed investment will help Canada's forest sector continue to innovate and grow, while supporting the adoption by Canadian forest companies of new and innovative technologies.
Paul Lefebvre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today highlighted the importance of this Budget commitment while visiting the Quebec City office of FPInnovations - Canada's premier forest sector research institute.
The Parliamentary Secretary also announced a $22.7 million investment to help FPInnovations diversify markets and fight climate change. The investments include:
- over $20.4 million to advance new forest-based products to go on the market; and
- over $2.3 million to support a research project to help the Canadian forest sector protect the market access and improve environmental performance.
These investments in FPInnovations are funded through Natural Resources Canada's Forest Innovation Program - a part of the Softwood Lumber Action Plan - which promotes research and development on new technologies and products across Canada's forest sector.
FPInnovations is a not-for-profit organization, funded by the Government of Canada, provinces and the private sector, specializing in research and innovation in support of the Canadian forest sector's competitiveness.
"Our Government of Canada values innovation and is committed to supporting middle-class jobs and strong rural and Indigenous communities. By continuing to fund existing innovation and forest sector diversification programs through Budget 2019, we are helping Canada's forest products industry increase and diversify their market opportunities."
Paul Lefebvre
Parliamentary Secretary to Canada's Minister of Natural Resources
"FPInnovations welcomes this announcement which consolidates the Government's support for the Canadian forest industry and ensures the stability of its operations. This commitment, renewed for the next three years, will foster the implementation of innovative strategies while supporting industrial partnerships across the forestry supply chain."
Stephane Renou
President & CEO - FPInnovations
