Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Brian Fitzpatrick, Member
of Parliament for Prince Albert, on behalf of Carol Skelton, Minister of National
Revenue and Western Economic Diversification, today announced a $133,500 contribution
to Forintek Canada Corp. so that it can provide value-added advice and service
to Saskatchewan's wood product manufacturers.
"With the Softwood Lumber Deal in place, Canada's New Government
is working to ensure competitiveness in the forest industry," said MP
Brian Fitzpatrick, on behalf of Minister Skelton, Minister of National Revenue
and Western Economic Diversification. "Our investment will enable Saskatchewan
wood product manufacturers to add value to their businesses by capitalizing
on new ideas, products and techniques."
"We have a mandate to help wood product manufacturers transform new
knowledge into useful applications as effectively as possible," said
Jim Dangerfield, Vice-President of Forintek's western region. "This
funding will enable our network of experts to do just that by working alongside
industry as they make strategic operational decisions to strengthen their ability
to compete globally and survive this period of transition."
Forintek will use the funding to visit manufacturing plants and
create research bulletins to provide technical assistance and support. It will
also conduct workshops on how wood product manufacturers can take advantage
of marketing opportunities, improve plant operations and increase product recovery
through advanced technologies.
Forintek Canada Corp. is Canada's national wood products research
institute. Its role is to support the forest products industry in optimizing
manufacturing processes, extracting higher value products from the available
resource and meeting customer's expectations of performance, durability and
affordability.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is a department of the Government
of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations
and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy
and to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Mike Winterburn
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Tel: (613) 995-2960 Cameron Zimmer
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, SK
Tel: (306) 975-6125
Norine Young
Manager, Communications
Western Division
Forintek Canada Corp.
Tel: 604-222-5612
