Harper Government Protects Jobs in Canada's Forest Sector

OTTAWA, Canada, Jan 6, 2011 — The Harper Government today announced a new investment to protect jobs in Canada’s forest industry through the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program. This announcement will see workers in the Edmundston, New Brunswick area benefit from a significant investment in the Twin Rivers Paper Company Inc.’s mill.

“Our Government's top priority remains the economy,” said Minister of Natural Resources Christian Paradis. “With the economic recovery still fragile, we will continue to take action to protect jobs in Canada, including the important forestry jobs in Edmundston.”

As part of the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, the Edmundston mill will receive $21 million to be used for upgrades that will improve the mill’s environmental performance while producing enough thermal energy to heat more than 1,200 homes.

Despite signs of recovery in some segments of the forest sector, there remains a need to find new and more efficient ways of using wood, wood fibre and its byproducts. Today’s announcement is part of the Harper Government’s plan to improve the environmental performance and competitiveness of Canada’s forest industry by focusing on innovation and new product development that will ultimately expand market opportunities for Canadian pulp and paper related products.

“With today’s announcement, our Government is continuing to implement our plan to support Canada’s forest sector and the Canadians who depend on it,” said Minister Paradis. “The Government’s investments are continuing our action to help our forest sector expand market opportunities for Canadian forest products, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help protect the jobs of the families who depend on our forest sector for their livelihood.”

Today’s announcement builds on the success of many initiatives that are helping to sustain and enhance Canada’s forest industry and the communities that depend on it. Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth established the $100-million Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program to promote the development, commercialization and implementation of advanced technologies in the forest sector — helping create a world-class industry able to compete in the clean energy economy of tomorrow.