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FPInnovations receives $25 million, IFIT projects $35 million

A forest industry gathering in Quebec on Nov. 21-22 provided the venue for the federal government to announce both new and old funding initiatives for the pulp and paper sector. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure,…

A forest industry gathering in Quebec on Nov. 21-22 provided the venue for the federal government to announce both new and old funding initiatives for the pulp and paper sector. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announced $169.3 million in investments for Canada’s forest sector. Of that, $109 million was allocated under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program which wrapped up last year.

“Our government is continuing to address the challenges facing Quebec’s forest sector and forest-oriented communities,” said Minister Lebel. “The successful transformation of the forest sector is based on a strong partnership that involves both industry and government.”

Minister Lebel announced that the federal government is committing $35 million to Quebec-based projects under the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program. This program supports Canada’s forest sector in becoming more economically competitive and environmentally sustainable, using targeted investments in innovative technologies.

The minister also announced an investment of $25.1 million in FPInnovations to support forest products research in Canada, of which $15.4 million will be allocated to laboratories in Quebec. He noted that this funding will help develop new high-value forest products, resulting in a more innovative and diversified forest sector. FPInnovations is a national not-for-profit institute with offices in Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver.