Ontario creates new, nearly $20-million Forest Biomass Program
May 29, 2023
By Canadian Biomass staff
Photo: Annex Business Media The Ontario government has launched a $19.6-million, application-based Forest Biomass Program to encourage new uses for forestry and sawmill residues.
The program will open this summer to support projects that will harvest more from Crown forests, add forestry jobs, boost regional economic growth, and find new uses for wood, the government said in its release Friday.
“The Forest Biomass Program will result in a stronger forestry sector,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan. “The forestry industry is a major driver of the economy in Northwestern Ontario and plays a critical role in building Ontario. I am confident this program will enhance existing use of resources, promote research, and increase Indigenous economic prosperity across the region.”
The program includes four streams:
- Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships, to increase Indigenous participation in forest biomass opportunities and their economic benefits.
- Exploring Biomass Pathways, to help the public and private sector research technical, financial and scientific aspects of using forest biomass.
- Innovative Bioproduct Manufacturing, to increase the use of forest biomass in manufacturing, infrastructure, energy services and resource extraction.
- Modernization, to support forest sector transformation, competitiveness and participation through use of forest biomass.
Ontario launched its Forest Sector Strategy and Forest Biomass Action Plan in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
Since 2007, Ontario’s forest industry has consumed less than half of the total wood supply available for sustainable harvest each year, the government said in the release.
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