The Government of British Columbia is injecting up to $11.4 million into eight forestry-related projects through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF). This investment aims to boost local economies, create jobs, and advance the province's transition towards high-value, sustainable forestry products.
Kruger Kamloops Pulp mill, a major employer in Kamloops, will receive up to $5 million to install Canada's first AI-powered pressure diffusion washer. The Government of Canada is also providing $4.9 million under the Investment in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program for this initiative. This upgrade is expected to help Kruger diversify its product offerings, reduce costs, and improve pulp quality. The project is set to protect 340 existing jobs, create four new permanent positions, and support 1,000 indirect jobs through the biomass value chain. “We are very grateful for the financial support from the IFIT program and the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund,” said Irene Preto, general manager, Kruger Kamloops.
In Agassiz, Power Wood Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty and value-added wood products, is set to receive $3.4 million to construct a thermal wood modification facility in partnership with the Squiala First Nation. Additionally, the Government of Canada will contribute $3 million through the IFIT Program via the Squiala PWC Wood Modifying Limited Partnership.
This project will focus on producing high-value, thermally modified wood while reducing dependence on old-growth timber. It is expected to create 10 new full-time jobs, with priority given to members of the Squiala First Nation.
"The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund and the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation programs have been instrumental in launching our exciting partnership with the Squiala First Nation," said Jake Power, president and managing director of Power Wood Corporation.
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, emphasized that these investments align with B.C.'s strategy to maximize fibre utilization while promoting innovation and sustainability in forestry. To date, the BCMJF has spurred $580 million in forestry sector investments, directly impacting over 3,000 jobs, many in Indigenous and remote communities.
The fund has also catalyzed growth in prefabricated housing component manufacturing, mass timber production, and innovative uses of wood residuals and waste. These efforts are part of B.C.'s broader "Clean and Competitive: A Blueprint for B.C.'s Industrial Future" initiative, aimed at driving investment in clean energy and sustainable industries across the province.
About the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF)
The British Columbia Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is driving significant economic growth by supporting industrial and manufacturing projects that generate and sustain high-quality jobs across multiple sectors.
- So far, $123 million has been committed to 112 projects, unlocking a total of $1 billion in capital investments in B.C.
- Each million dollars invested yields $7 million in direct capital, $590,000 in tax revenue for the province, and contributes $5.3 million to the provincial GDP.
- These investments will create over 1,700 new jobs and help secure over 2,300 current positions, reinforcing the province's industrial workforce.
