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FPAC calls on government to boost forest sector competitiveness in next budget

On Aug. 7, the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) submitted recommendations to the federal government’s 2021 pre-budget consultations to outline how Canada can use sustainable forest management and innovation to kick start economic recovery for the country’s forest-dependent communities.

The budget submission cites the difficulties the forest industry was facing before the COVID-19 pandemic, including price decreases, supply chain issues and lower demand.

The association advises the government accelerate implementation of the Forest Bio-economy Framework developed in 2018 by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM), and to pursue partnerships and regulations that prioritize economic recovery.

Since the CCFM framework was released, FPAC says the forest sector has invested more than $750 million in over 90 projects tied to government programs – and that it has 140 projects ready to start, worth over $1.5 billion, which will help to boost recovery after COVID-19.

In order to proceed with these new projects, FPAC requests the government facilitate “conditions that will allow us to accelerate innovation, improve competitiveness and further strengthen Canada’s environmental performance.”

“From sustainably-sourced Canadian pulp for PPE to using wood waste to make biomaterials and biofuels to beautiful and carbon-storing wood buildings that architects and engineers the world over are turning to – we have a huge opportunity to unlock the potential of Canadian forestry and forest products to help Canada build back better and spur much needed economic recovery,” says Derek Nighbor, president and CEO of FPAC, in a statement.