October 13, 2011

Boyle, Alberta — The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the Government of Canada is investing $86.6 million across the country to protect jobs in forest communities.

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. is receiving $4.5 million of that funding.

“Our Government's top priority remains the economy,” said Minister Oliver. “We continue to invest in communities and in initiatives that will make Canadian forest products even more attractive in the global marketplace. With the economic recovery still fragile, we will continue to take action to protect and create important forest sector jobs across Canada.”

These investments are improving the environmental performance and economic competitiveness of Canada’s forest sector through innovation and new product development. This will expand market opportunities for traditional and novel Canadian wood and pulp and paper products, while helping to sustain over 3,100 Canadian jobs — including over 500 in Alberta.

“By investing in our forest companies, we are helping to protect local jobs,” said Brian Jean, MP for Fort McMurray - Athabasca. “New technologies are helping mills create innovative products and reduce their environmental footprint. These are important steps to ensuring the long-term viability of the forest industry.”

Minister Oliver highlighted that 12 companies will receive funding through three federal programs: the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program and the Transformative Technologies – Pilot Scale Demonstration program.

Additional sector support was delivered in The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which provides $60 million over one year to renew programs that focus on forest sector innovation and market development,

including a $25.5-million investment that was recently announced for the Transformative Technologies Research Program

For more information, please visit canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca.