Federal Budget Measures Provide Support for Forestry Jobs
March 22 2011, OTTAWA
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) welcomed the forest industry measures contained in today’s Federal Budget which support the industry and the 240,000 Canadians it directly employs.
“The measures provided in today’s Budget recognize the significant opportunity before the industry to expand its markets and products beyond lumber, pulp and paper. These measures will promote strategic investments that will support the industry as it emerges from the recent economic downturn,” said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of FPAC.
In particular, the Budget:
- Reflects the government’s appreciation of the need to partner with industry on developing new products and approaches through research and development by extending funding to FPInnovation’s Transformative Technologies Program.
- Recognizes that the forest products industry needs to diversify and broaden its markets outside of the United States. This will help build on the investments that industry and government have already made that have successfully increased exports to new markets especially in China.
In addition, the industry was very encouraged by the Budget’s two year extension of the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance and the commitment to continue with the business tax reductions provided for by the 2007 Budget. These are very important initiatives that will encourage increased capital investment in Canadian mills and the Canadian economy more broadly.
“Overall, today’s Budget continues the process of putting in place a policy framework that will foster the innovation and strategic investments needed for the Canadian forest products industry to become world-leading. This will bolster rural communities, strengthen the economy and advance Canada’s environmental and innovation agendas,” says Lazar.
-30-
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $57-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada’s GDP and is one of Canada’s largest employers operating in hundreds of communities and providing 240,000 direct jobs across the country.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Peters
LBMG, Vancouver
604.637.6649 (direct)
604.762.2098 (mobile)
Rebecca@LBMG.ca
Éric Chalifoux
Léger Stratégie Conseil, Montréal
Cell : 514-885-4438
echalifoux@legermarketing.com
