NANAIMO - Thanks to an investment by the federal Government, Canada's forestry sector will now have access to funding that will improve its environmental performance, create jobs and stimulate the industry. Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, announced that 24 pulp and paper companies across Canada have qualified for funding under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program.
“The Government of Canada is taking unprecedented steps by investing $1 billion in a program that will build a brighter and more sustainable future for Canada’s forest communities,” said Minister Day. “The Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program will generate new investments in pulp and paper facilities across Canada, making it greener and more sustainable.”
The Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program allows Canadian pulp and paper companies that produced black liquor - a liquid by-product of the chemical pulping process that is used to generate renewable energy - in 2009 to access this $1-billion fund.
Qualified companies will be able to use the program to help finance green projects at any pulp and paper facility they own. As a result, many mills across Canada that did not generate credits through black liquor production will still benefit from this program.
Qualified companies are now required to submit specific project proposals for their facilities. Companies can expect to receive funding for their capital projects in late 2009 or early in 2010. Companies have until 2012 to apply the credits to environmental improvement projects.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan has delivered significant investments to sustain and improve the forest industry in Canada. The Government of Canada has committed a further $170 million to assist the forest industry in developing innovative products and expanding markets overseas. $40 million has also been invested to develop pilot-scale demonstrations developed under the Transformative Technologies Program. Furthermore, the $1-billion Community Adjustment Fund is creating jobs and maintaining employment in communities affected by the global economic downturn, specifically forest-dependent communities.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
International Trade Minister Stockwell Day has announced that 24 pulp and paper companies have qualified for funding under the $1-billion Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program. The companies, located across Canada, will now have access to funding to invest in capital projects that improve their environmental performance through increased renewable energy production or improved energy efficiency.
Media may contact:
Jocelyne Turner
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
The general public may contact:
Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EDT
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
- Government of Canada Supporting Canadian Pulp and Paper Producers
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
