GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN SUPPORT FORESTRY KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PROJECT

Saskatchewan's value-added manufacturing wood products sector will benefit from FPInnovations' technical knowledge to increase productivity and sales revenues while reducing operational expenses. A federal-provincial investment will enable FPInnovations to assist Saskatchewan wood-products firms to advance industry development and forest operations.

"The forestry sector is an important driver of Saskatchewan's economy, and this project will provide local businesses with the resources and know-how to grow and create even more jobs," said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

"This project will provide support to small and medium-sized wood manufacturing firms in Saskatchewan that will sustain and ultimately create more jobs and opportunities in this important sector of our economy," Saskatchewan Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison said.

Over the next two years, FPInnovations will share its technical knowledge and manufacturing best practices with Saskatchewan value added manufacturing wood products firms (producers of kitchen cabinets, doors and windows, millwork or furniture) through site visits, seminars, establishing a technical help-line, technical bulletins, and implementing demonstration projects. The primary goal of this project is to improve the sector's business productivity and competitiveness in the national and international marketplace.

A combined federal-provincial investment of $848,000 is being provided under the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) for this project. FPInnovations will contribute a further $138,000.

"The Saskatchewan forestry and wood products sector is a vital part of the provincial economy", says Roland Baumeister, FPInnovations' manager of value added manufacturing for western Canada. "Through this initiative, the resources of FPInnovations will support the province's strategy in identifying market opportunities, diversifying its economy and increasing the value of its forest resource."

A similar project is also being delivered by FPInnovations to help improve Alberta wood manufacturers' productivity. This project is supported by Western Economic Diversification Canada andthe Province of Alberta, through the Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA). FPInnovations will contribute $351,000 to the Alberta project, while the Governments of Canada and Alberta will invest a shared commitment of $1,264,000 to ensure Alberta wood manufacturers succeed in today's global market.

FPInnovations is a national forest sector research and development institute that specializes in supplying sector specific industry research and knowledge transfer to the solid wood products, pulp and paper, forest operations and transportation sectors.

The investment by the Government of Canada is made through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA). Both Canada and Saskatchewan are contributing $25 million each, over four years, to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in western Canadian communities.

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For additional information, contact:

Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 975-5942

Joanne Johnson
Communications Director
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 798-0503

Roland Baumeister
FPInnovations
Vancouver, British Columbia
Tel: (604) 222-5672