Canada Announces $12M for B.C. Forestry Innovation

The federal government announced a $12 million investment in British Columbia's forestry sector on Thursday, targeting projects aimed at innovation and diversification amid ongoing U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber.

Energy Minister Tim Hodgson made the announcement at Terminal Forest Products, a sawmill in Richmond, B.C. The funding will support 14 specific initiatives, including those focused on low-carbon wood technology, expanded use of mass timber in construction, and operations led by Indigenous communities. Hodgson described the investment as part of a broader strategy to diversify Canada's wood production and reduce reliance on the United States market.

The move comes days after Ottawa pledged $1.5 billion in support to other Canadian industries affected by tariffs, such as steel, aluminum, and copper. When questioned about the relatively modest amount for forestry compared to that larger package, Hodgson noted that the federal government has already committed $2.5 billion to the sector in previous initiatives.

British Columbia Premier David Eby had voiced sharp criticism of the earlier federal aid package for excluding the lumber industry, which has faced U.S. duties and...