The Government of Ontario is committing more than $5 million to protect jobs and strengthen the forestry sector in Northern Ontario.
The investment aims to modernize operations, improve productivity, and repair critical regional infrastructure.
As part of the province’s Forest Biomass Program, $5 million will support EACOM in installing advanced AI screening technology to boost efficiency. The project is expected to increase production capacity by 12%, cut wood waste by 25%, and reduce emissions by 21%. By creating new demand for underused wood and mill by-products, the initiative will diversify operations and open new markets.
Ontario is also providing $475,000 to Northshore Forest Inc. for essential repairs to the Wenebegon River bridge, 120 kilometres north of Thessalon. The upgrade will ensure reliable access for forestry operations, outdoor recreation, regional tourism, and emergency response.
“This investment will help build a more resilient forest sector in the North, ensuring our businesses are ready to seize new opportunities and protect good jobs,” said Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products.
The province emphasized that the funding builds on a series of targeted measures to drive innovation and safeguard employment in forestry-dependent communities. Ontario’s forest sector generated $21.6 billion in revenue in 2023 and supported more than 128,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2024.
About Ontario’s Forest Sector
Ontario’s forest sector includes more than 19,500 km of forest access roads, supporting economic, recreational, and community activities across the province. Wood from Ontario’s Crown forests is sustainably sourced, renewable, and provides a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastics.
