News
Federal government pledges $100 million to forest industry technological innovation (September 01, 2010)

VANCOUVER — The Government of Canada has launched a $100-million Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program to demonstrate and deploy new and advanced technologies in the forest sec…

VANCOUVER — The Government of Canada has launched a $100-million Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program to demonstrate and deploy new and advanced technologies in the forest sector through investments in innovative processes. Forest sector companies that have existing facilities in Canada, including those that have been recently affected by the global economic downturn, could be eligible for IFIT support. The program was first introduced in the 2010 federal budget.

Canadian mills hoping to benefit from the federal government’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program had to act quickly. Program details were announced Aug. 2, and the first Call for Proposals was open from Aug. 2 to Sept. 17, 2010.

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) commended the Canadian government on the IFIT program. “Today’s announcement makes it clear that the Canadian government understands that jobs in the forest industry can only be secured through transformation and that they are ready to play their part,” said Avrim Lazar, president and CEO of FPAC.

The program web site explains that projects must constitute an advancement of forest sector technology in Canada, must be located in Canada, and must be primarily based on wood fibre.

The proposed project must be at pilot or commercial scale, and the technology should not yet exist, at the proposed scale and specifications, in a forest sector industrial facility in Canada. Projects may be located at existing mill sites, either open or closed.

Any costs associated with the production or export of softwood lumber products are not eligible under this program.

Details of the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program are now available at: forest-transformation.nrcan.nrcan.gc.ca.