Canada to invest in cutting-edge technology to modernize Canadian forest sector

The world is changing rapidly, leaving Canadian industries, communities and workers vulnerable.

October 14, 2026                     Fredericton, New Brunswick              Natural Resources Canada

The world is changing rapidly, leaving Canadian industries, communities and workers vulnerable. Canada’s forest sector is experiencing this first-hand. It continues to face significant pressures, including unjustified U.S. tariffs, climate change and changing consumer and global demands. Our forest sector is a cornerstone of our economy. It supports nearly 200,000 jobs; is the bedrock of 300 rural, remote and Indigenous communities; and contributed $23.5 billion to our GDP in 2024 alone. In response, the Government of Canada is taking action to stand with Canadian industry and workers to adapt, innovate and remain competitive so the sector can not only survive but thrive, for generations to come.

Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced an investment of up to $50 million for the establishment of the New Brunswick Strategic Innovation Centre in Digital Forestry, an initiative led by the Northern Hardwoods Research Institute in collaboration with ResearchNB.