Government of Ontario launches $14.4M Forest Biomass Program

In Canada, the Government of Ontario is strengthening the economy and promoting innovation in the forest sector with the creation of a new, C$19.6 million Forest Biomass Program. This application-based program will help develop untapped economic potential and environmental benefits offered by new and emerging uses of underutilized wood and mill by-products, known as forest biomass.

The program has been created based on feedback from the public, Indigenous communities and industry stakeholders, who all indicated the need for targeted support to further develop Ontario’s forest bioeconomy.

The Forest Biomass Program will support projects to harvest more wood from Crown forests, increase forest sector job creation and regional economic growth and find new uses for wood in collaboration with stakeholders, industry and Indigenous communities. It includes four streams designed to position Ontario as a leader in innovative uses of forest biomass:

·      Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships, to increase Indigenous participation in forest biomass opportunities and their economic benefits.

·      Exploring Biomass Pathways, to help the public and private sector research technical, financial and scientific aspects of using forest biomass.

·      Innovative Bioproduct Manufacturing, to increase the use of forest biomass in manufacturing, infrastructure, energy services and resource extraction.

·      Modernization, to support forest sector transformation, competitiveness and participation through use of forest biomass.

Early this summer, the program will be open to applications for businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit organizations located in Ontario that have a project to expand the use of forest biomass and enhance the forest biomass supply chain.