News Forestry
N.L. government announces $9.6M investment in forestry sector

The government of Newfoundland & Labrador is allocating $9.6 million to create jobs and develop forest sector products and markets in response to challenges created by COVID-19.

Gerry Byrne, minister of fisheries and land resources, made the announcement Stan Dawe Ltd. in Corner Brook, a building supply business that began as a sawmill operation in 1947.

New initiatives include $5.7 million for forest industry development projects, $400,000 for secondary forestry processing innovation pilot projects and $3.5 million to establish forestry biomass market opportunities.

“Newfoundland and Labrador’s forest sector is an important contributor to our rural economy and during these challenging times, our member companies have been working tirelessly to keep people employed and businesses running,” says Bill Dawson, executive director for the Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Industry Association.

“We welcome this much-needed investment and are pleased to see government’s increased commitment to silviculture and forest protection.”

Funding for these initiatives is expected to generate more than 100 seasonal and permanent jobs in the forest sector.