FPAC response to Budget 2026 and forthcoming Forest Sector Transformation Strategy

FPAC response to Budget 2026 and forthcoming Forest Sector Transformation Strategy

Encouraged by the Government Direction, Sector Needs to See Movement

Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is encouraged to see the measures within the 2026 Federal Budget, including $6.5 billion to strengthen Canada's forest sector through the Forest Sector Transformation Strategy.

Over the past decade, FPAC has repeatedly called for action to reduce regulatory duplication and create greater certainty for mills, factories, and investment. Budget 2026 demonstrates the federal government is listening to the sector and promising to take real action to ensure Canada’s forests continue to provide sustainable solutions to build, invest, and grow.

"The federal government clearly understands the critical juncture our sector is at, and we look forward to seeing the full Forest Sector Transformation Strategy in the coming weeks. Today’s investment is an important step for forestry and for the nearly 200,000 employees, thousands of contractors, and hundreds of communities across the country that rely on the sector,” said Derek Nighbor, FPAC President and CEO. “We look forward to working with the government to ensure the sector is fully able to access these new measures. It’s time to move from promises to production. We need to see urgency in putting these commitments in place; Canadian jobs, stronger supply chains, and new opportunities for communities from coast to coast depend on it."

About FPAC

FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industry, we contributed $19.9B in real GDP in 2025.

Canada's forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers—providing nearly 200,000 direct jobs and operating in hundreds of communities across the country. Our members are committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders, government bodies, and other key stakeholders to develop across-Canada action plan aimed at advancing forest health, while supporting workers, communities and our environment for the long term.