The Media Room
2009/107 (a)
Backgrounder
Government of Canada Supports Innovative Wood Construction and Design
The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP) has taken unprecedented steps to support Canada’s wood and wood products sectors.
Factors such as weak markets and increased competition from offshore producers have created severe competitive pressures on Canada’s forest industry. The global economic downturn and the resulting tightening of credit markets have intensified these challenges. However, emerging products, technologies and markets are creating new possibilities for Canada’s forest communities.
The EAP includes $170 million, to be invested over two years, to help Canadian companies develop new products and processes and capitalize on new market opportunities, including:
- $40 million to expand domestic and international markets for Canadian forest products as well as $10 million to support large-scale demonstrations of the use of Canadian wood in construction; and
- $80 million to support the development of next-generation forest products and another $40 million to develop pilot-scale demonstrations of these products leading to commercial applications.
Three programs are receiving renewed federal funding under the EAP’s Expanding Market Opportunities initiative. These are: the Canada Wood Export Program (Canada Wood); the North American Wood First Initiative (Wood First); and the Value to Wood Program.
Canada Wood Export Program
The goal of the Canada Wood Program is to expand the export opportunities of Canadian wood producers in traditional markets such as Japan and Europe as well as in emerging markets such as China and South Korea. Its work is conducted in partnership with wood product associations and provincial governments from across Canada.
North American Wood First Initiative (Wood First)
The objective of the Wood First program is to support projects that help increase the use of wood products in North American non-residential construction. Its work is carried out in collaboration with wood products associations in North America, technical institutes, universities and provinces.
Value to Wood Program
The Value to Wood Program is a partnership with FPInnovations, academia and provinces. Its objective is to develop new and improved value-added wood products and manufacturing processes. It also helps address issues related to market access.
Media may contact:
Jocelyne Turner
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 996-2007
Or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
The general public may contact:
Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.EDT
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
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E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php.