Industry News News
B.C. announces new funding for forestry sector

The Government of B.C. has announced it will contribute upwards of $5.1 million into seven forest-sector capital projects and five planning projects in communities across the province. The funding will come from BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF).

“Using available fibre wisely is an important part of B.C.’s plan for sustainable forestry,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is partnering with forestry companies throughout the province to grow and stabilize their operations and get the most out of our fibre supply, while producing more made-in-B.C. engineered wood products.”

It has already been announced that Cedarland Forest Products Ltd., a producer of cedar products in Maple Ridge, B.C., will receive $1.3 million for the the purchase, installation and commissioning of new high-temperature kilns, as well as a moulder, to help the company diversify its fibre sources through the use of under-utilized fibre. The investment will allow Cedarland to produce thermally modified wood products, access new markets and create 23 new forestry jobs, the B.C. government stated.

“Support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund will help Cedarland install new advanced equipment, keeping us on the leading edge of remanufacturing. We will now be able to produce high-end finished products from a variety of B.C. species, while adding value every step of the way,” stated Jeremy Hamm, general manager for Cedarland Forest Products.

Up to $1.1 million will be invested into Gilbert Smith Forest Products in Barriere, B.C, a manufacturer of specialty cedar products. The money will go towards modernizing the company’s manufacturing facility and new equipment for the production of in-demand products created from a wider range of fibre sources.

“B.C. has some of the most creative, innovative and motivated forestry companies on the planet,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund helps businesses scale up, increase productivity and create new jobs by getting the most value out of every tree we harvest.”

Close to 25 per cent of B.C. wood product manufacturers have applied to the BCMJF program for funding. One of the largest investments made through the BCMJF last year was in May 2024 when Tolko Industries received approximately $8 million in funding for the expansion of its Heffley Creek operation, which includes the construction of a new Heffley Creek Engineered Wood Division.

“Tolko’s history began, and remains, strongly rooted in B.C.,” said Pino Pucci, CEO and president, Tolko Industries Ltd. “Today’s announcement enables us to further invest to support our people, customers, communities and forests – fostering innovation and leveraging B.C.’s globally superior technical fibre-strength properties to deliver quality products to our customers. We appreciate the B.C. government’s support of strategic investments that will accelerate our growth as a producer, marketer and distributor of specialty, value-added and engineered wood products.”