The Ontario government has committed $11.3 million to support five research, innovation and modernization projects across northeastern Ontario’s forest sector.
The funding, announced Wednesday in Timmins, comes from the province’s Forest Biomass Program and aims to create jobs while helping businesses find new uses for underused wood and mill by-products.
“Our government is making strategic investments to protect jobs, protect communities and protect Ontario,” said Kevin Holland, associate minister of forestry and forest products.
The largest recipient, Hornepayne Power Inc., will receive $7.5 million to modernize power generation equipment and research on-site green hydrogen production.
GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. will get nearly $3 million to upgrade its biomass cogeneration plant, plus an additional $130,000 to research torrefied pellets as a green alternative to coal.
Two other companies received smaller allocations: Circular Carbon Canada Inc. secured $500,000 to study potential pyrolysis plant sites, while Wikwemikong Development Commission received $200,000 to support development of a combined wood pellet and biocoal facility.
Creating economic opportunities
The provincial government says these investments will strengthen northeastern Ontario’s economy by creating demand for harvesting and transportation services while developing opportunities for Indigenous communities in the forestry sector.
“Forestry has always been a cornerstone of the economy in Northeastern Ontario — a sector built on hard work, local expertise, and the ability to adapt,” said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins.
Industry representatives welcomed the announcement. Ian Dunn, president and CEO of the Ontario Forest Industries Association, called the program “an effective incubator for developing the forest industry of the future.”
“This funding is helping us unlock new opportunities for innovation and sustainability,” said Joel Fournier, CEO of GreenFirst Forest Products.
According to provincial statistics, Ontario’s forest sector generated $22.8 billion in revenue in 2022 and supported more than 137,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2023.
The Forest Biomass Program invests up to $20 million annually in projects aimed at increasing wood harvest, creating forest sector opportunities and finding new uses for wood products.
