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FPAC responds to federal budget’s proposals for net-zero, bioeconomy

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) says it is looking to work with the government on several items outlined in the 2021 federal budget, delivered by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday.

Among the investments in forestry are $54.8 million over two years to build on the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program to grow Canada’s bioeconomy.

The additional $5 billion allocated to the Net-Zero Accelerator Fund, which scales up clean-tech projects, will help to boost innovation in the forest products sector, says Derek Nighbor, president and CEO of FPAC, in a statement.

“These investments will help us lower carbon emissions at Canadian mills, encourage investment and get more people working,” he says.

The government also recognized Canada’s sustainable forest management practices and the role Canada’s forest products play in contributing to Canada’s low-carbon future.

“Sustainable forest management and Canada’s forestry workers are part of our first line of defence in supporting forest health and keeping communities safer from fire,” says Nighbor. “Budget 2021 investments in wildfire mapping, community resilience and enhancements to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre are very welcome.

“FPAC also looks forward to working with federal and provincial governments to address growing concerns of regulatory duplication and confusion that are creating uncertainty and impacting Canada’s competitiveness position on the global stage.”

Nighbor says FPAC also plans to work with the federal government on supports for rural and northern workers who are challenged by access to lower carbon fuels.