Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) applauds the federal government’s decision to include forest biomass conversion technologies for heat and electricity generation in its Clean Technology and Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credits (ITCs). The move was announced in today’s Fall Economic Statement tabled in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
“This decision marks a significant step forward to grow Canada’s forest bioeconomy and will encourage additional market use for low-grade wood in the face of worsening fire patterns,” said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor. “It's good news for forestry workers and communities because this will improve our sector’s international competitiveness position in the face of similar incentives in the United States and Europe. We absolutely needed this to be able to compete for global investment in the months and years ahead.”
Forest biomass is a powerful source of carbon-neutral, renewable energy that converts wood residuals like sawdust, branches, and bark into energy and lower carbon fuels.
“We are ready to work with the federal government on implementation so we can move Canada into a much stronger position as a destination for forest sector and renewable energy investment,” Nighbor added.
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industry with annual revenues exceeding $73B, Canada’s forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers operating in hundreds of communities, providing 205,000 direct jobs and over 600,000 indirect jobs across the country. Our members are committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders, government bodies, and other key stakeholders to develop a cross-Canada action plan aimed at advancing forest health, while supporting workers, communities, and our environment for the long term.
