Canada has announced an investment of over $13.3 million for 28 projects aimed at strengthening Quebec's forest sector and expanding its wood product exports. The funding includes nearly $10.8 million from the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program to support six projects that focus on adopting low-carbon technologies and creating diversified revenue streams. These projects will develop products such as non-traditional building materials for modular housing, biofuels, and biochemicals used in pharmaceuticals and biodegradable plastics.
More than $2.5 million will fund 22 Indigenous-led projects through the Indigenous Forestry Initiative, a program designed to foster economic growth and expand Indigenous involvement in forest management. The funding was announced by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
Quebec's forest sector employs over 61,000 workers and contributed $11.3 billion in export value in 2024. Nationally, Canada’s forest industry employed nearly 200,000 people, including over 11,000 Indigenous workers, and contributed $21.6 billion to the country’s real GDP in the same year. Canada's total forest product exports reached $37.2 billion in 2024, with the United States being the primary export destination. The investments aim to support innovation, productivity, and sustainability, positioning Quebec’s forest sector to develop advanced materials and expand its export potential while promoting a low-carbon economy.
