Government of Canada Supports Innovation in Forestry

Canada's forest sector is an economic driver and major employer of Canadians, including Indigenous peoples. The Government of Canada is working to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the forest sector by encouraging new technologies to support forest industry transformation through a more diversified portfolio of products and markets.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr this week announced a call for proposals for funding of the next wave of highly innovative, first-in-kind technologies aimed at solidifying Canada's position as a leader in forest industry transformation and the bioeconomy.

 

 

Established in 2010, the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program was renewed in June 2017, with an additional $55 million provided over three years under Canada's Softwood Lumber Action Plan.

Minister Carr made the announcement during his keynote speech this past week to the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers at the Canadian Museum of Nature.

The purpose of the IFIT program is to support Canada's forest sector in becoming more economically competitive and environmentally sustainable through:

• New or increased production of bioenergy, biomaterials, biochemicals, and next-generation building products by the forest sector 
• Increased deployment and encouraging broader adoption of first-in-kind innovative technologies, particularly Canadian, across the industry 
• Creation of innovative partnerships with non-traditional forest sector partners as a way to develop new business models for the sector.

IFIT provides non-repayable contributions of up to 50% of a project's costs. Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest by Oct. 12, 2017, followed by a full proposal by Nov. 28, 2017.

Minister Carr noted that "the Government of Canada recognizes the vital importance of Canada's forest sector as an economic driver and major employer of Canadians, including Indigenous peoples. Investing in new technologies to support Canada's emerging bioeconomy and forest sector to become more economically competitive and environmentally sustainable will help us to build a clean-growth economy, create well-paying jobs for middle-class Canadians and realize our climate change goals."