Ontario Investing Nearly $1 Million to Unlock New Markets for Forest Biomass

Provincial investment will open new supply chains for Ontario wood to build a more competitive forest sector and protect good-paying jobs

NORTH GRENVILLE — As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the government is investing $865,000 in the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) to enhance private forest management and establish new supply chains for mill by-products and underused wood known as forest biomass.

This investment will support healthy, productive forests, protect good-paying jobs and build a strong, self-reliant economy by testing a business model that could double sustainable private harvesting over the next 10 to 15 years.

“Ontario is a G7 forestry leader, with forest products backed by world-class sustainable forest management,” said Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products. “Under our forest sector roadmap, our government is helping landowners protect private forests while unlocking the untapped value of forest resources to create jobs and build stronger communities.”

Ontario is investing $790,000 through the Forest Biomass Program to help the OWA create three new jobs and acquire equipment for the Wood Stewardship Program (WSP). This initiative will increase forest sector productivity by connecting businesses to biomass in privately owned forests. By creating new revenue streams for landowners, the project will offset forest management costs, encouraging active stewardship to support strong forest ecosystems.

“Today’s investment will help ensure Ontario’s privately managed forests remain healthy and productive while supporting good-paying jobs and creating new opportunities for our forestry sector, including right here in Eastern Ontario. I welcome our government’s additional investment in the Ontario Woodlot Association, as it builds on their innovative work in Limerick Forest to demonstrate how underutilized species can increase the supply of Ontario wood. Thank you to Minister Holland for his leadership in strengthening sustainable forest management and building a stronger, more self-reliant Ontario,” said Steve Clark MPP, Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

The project will use up to 100,000 cubic metres of forest biomass over five years, creating new markets to maximize the value of wood and increase the industry’s diversification into value‑added manufacturing, including bioproducts such as biochar, compost and mulch.

Ontario is also investing $75,000 to support OWA workshops, conferences, publications and collaboration to promote sustainable forest management on private lands. The investment will also help the OWA develop an inventory of private forests using remote-sensing technology, providing highly accurate information to reduce business burdens, support forest management and attract investments that will drive productivity and deliver economic growth.

These investments are the government’s latest action under the Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector, the province’s plan to Defend, Adapt and Grow the industry by protecting forestry jobs, advancing innovation and developing new markets for Ontario-made forest products.