The government has announced a new investment to protect jobs in Canada’s forest industry through the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program. Two mills operated by Catalyst Paper in B.C. will benefit significantly from federal funding.
“Our government recognizes the important role wood bioproducts, like renewable energy, play in the transformation and renewal of the forest industry in B.C. and across Canada,” said John Weston, MP for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country. “Helping companies extract the greatest value from the wood they harvest and expand the range of goods they produce will sustain jobs in rural communities while responding to market demand for products that come from renewable resources.”
As part of the $1 billion Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, Catalyst Paper will receive a total of $18 million for two projects.
The Powell River division, which produces newsprint and specialty papers, will receive $13.3 million to double the volume of renewable electricity the mill generates from wood waste.
The Port Alberni division, which focuses primarily on specialty papers, will receive $4.7 million to improve the performance of its power boiler. This project will increase efficiency and help displace the mill’s use of fossil fuels by using more biomass fuel to generate power.
Despite signs of recovery in some segments of the forest sector, there remains a need to find more efficient ways of using wood, wood fibre and its by-products. Today’s announcement is part of the government’s plan to improve the environmental performance and competitiveness of Canada’s forest industry by focusing on innovation and product development that will ultimately expand market opportunities for Canadian pulp and paper-related products.
David Formosa, Powell River City Councillor and president of the Powell River Chamber of Commerce, said, “Today’s funding announcement will result in the diversification of our local mill and provide an important economic stimulus for our city.”