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New Brunswick invests in forestry innovation and productivity

The provincial government is investing $600,000 in forest research in northern New Brunswick.

The forestry sector, through Groupe Savoie, AV Group, J.D. Irving and Forest NB, has committed to matching the provincial government’s funding, which will go to the Northern Hardwoods Research Institute (NHRI) – a partnership involving the forestry sector, governments and academia.

“New Brunswick forests are one of the most important drivers of our provincial economy and will continue to be a vital part of New Brunswick’s future,” said Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland.

“The research being conducted at the institute, to produce and mobilize the knowledge and tools required to improve the management of northern hardwoods and mixed wood forests, is vital to the future of forestry in the province.”

The NHRI was founded in 2012 to conduct research related to the management of northern hardwoods and mixed wood forests of eastern North America.

Holland said the institute’s new projects will greatly benefit the province’s forestry and technology stakeholders, as well as woodlot owners, and create up to 18 short-term jobs.

The federal government is investing more than $1.2 million in the institute through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

“ACOA’s mandate is to work with businesses, communities, educational institutions, researchers and other levels of government to help build a strong and inclusive economy in Atlantic Canada,” said Madawaska-Restigouche MP René Arseneault. “That is why we are proud to support projects like this one with the Northern Hardwoods Research Institute. By working closely with provincial partners, industry and educational institutions, we will continue to develop the talent and technology needed to position our industries, businesses and the region as leaders in the innovation economy.”

These investments will allow the institute to improve its applied research capacity and knowledge transfer in the forestry sector.

“The Northern Hardwoods Research Institute is launching its third phase under the theme of digital transformation for the forest products value chain,” said Gaetan Pelletier, the institute’s executive director. “This financial support from ACOA and the Province of New Brunswick will allow our institute to build capacity so that we can move from proof of concepts to commercialization of our intellectual property with other private sector players. Our institute will become self-sufficient and less dependent on government support.”

Learn more: hardwoodsnb.ca/en/