Cash injected into forest industry

A South Okanagan manufacturer has received a cash injection from the federal government.

The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board, was in Okanagan Falls Monday to announce that Structurlam will receive $2.5 million under the Transformative Technologies Pilot Scale Demonstration Program to support innovation and help expand market opportunities.

The Government of Canada announced a series of important investments across the country, totalling $88 million, to protect jobs in Canada’s forest industry.

“Our Government's top priority remains the economy,” says Minister Day.

"With the economic recovery still fragile, we will continue to take action to protect and create jobs in Canada, including the important forestry
jobs in Okanagan Falls.”

Other funding for this project includes a $2.5-million contribution from the Government of British Columbia.

“Structurlam’s new venture into producing cross-laminated timber directly fits in with B.C.’s Wood First priority,” said Forests, Mines and Lands Minister Pat Bell.

“It’s important that we continue to grow new markets for wood products and support our value-added industry.”

Structurlam has also invested approximately $7.5 million in the project through cash and in-kind contributions.

“Over its 50-year history, Structurlam has gained a reputation for adopting new technology to expand the use of engineered wood product,” says Bill Downing, President of Structurlam Ltd.

“We now expand the use of wood again with the production of CLT panels. Today's investment from Natural Resources Canada will jump-start production and allow architects to immediately specify the panels in commercial and institutional construction, while taking advantage of the abundant beetle-killed fibre that is currently available.”

“With innovative technologies and strong partnerships, FPInnovations is building the future of forestry in Canada,” said Alan Potter, FPInnovations’ Vice-President of Strategic Initiatives & Technology.

“Through innovation, we are transforming the forest sector and delivering new opportunities for growth.”

Despite signs of recovery in some segments of the forest sector, there remains a need to find new and more efficient ways of using wood, wood fibre and its byproducts.

Wednesday's announcement is part of the Government of Canada’s plan to improve the environmental performance and competitiveness of Canada’s forest industry by focusing on innovation and new product development that will ultimately expand market opportunities for both traditional and novel Canadian wood, pulp and paper products.

“With this investment in Okanagan Falls, our Government is continuing to implement our plan that supports the transformation of Canada’s forest sector for the benefit of all Canadians,” says Day.

“Our investments are supporting expansion of market opportunities for Canadian forest products, reducing our environmental footprint, improving the competitiveness of the forest industry and helping protect the jobs of the families who depend on our forest sector for their livelihood.”