Harper Government Announces New Investment in Forest Industry Innovation

PRINCE GEORGE, BC, April 8, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., Minister of National Revenue and MP for Delta–Richmond East, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced the government's new investment of $8.9 million for the Expanding Market Opportunities Program. Minister Findlay made the announcement during an address at the annual convention of the Council of Forest Industries in Prince George.

Minister Findlay also highlighted the Government of Canada's ongoing commitment to drive innovation, accelerate the forest industry's transformation and create and protect jobs in the forest sector.

The Expanding Market Opportunities Program helps Canadian producers diversify markets and market segments for forest products, build business relationships across the world and enhance competitiveness and prosperity for Canada's forest industry. This renewed commitment is part of Canada's comprehensive strategy for enhancing innovation and competitiveness in Canada's forest industry.

Quick Facts

• Our Expanding Market Opportunities Program has played a key role in increasing the value of wood product exports to China by more than one thousand percent between 2007 and 2014.
• Canada is the world's fourth-largest exporter of forest products, providing jobs for more than 200,000 Canadians.
• Canada has almost 350 million hectares of forest, including about 43 percent of the world's forests that are independently certified as being sustainably managed.
• Since 2007, our government has invested more than $1.8 billion in Canada's forest sector, helping to bring innovative products and technologies into the marketplace, promoting transformation and expanding markets in British Columbia and across the country.

Quotes

"Our government is helping Canada's forest industry grow through targeted investments in the Expanding Market Opportunities Program. By diversifying markets for our forest products and enhancing competitiveness for Canada's forest industry, we are helping Canadian producers to prosper and supporting jobs and opportunities for Canadians."

Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C.,
Minister of National Revenue and MP for Delta–Richmond East

"As a supplier of high-quality, sustainably produced forest products, Canada is well positioned to take advantage of new market opportunities. Our government is proud to support Canadian companies in developing overseas markets and diversifying wood markets in North America, creating jobs and growth here at home."

Greg Rickford
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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