British Columbia is providing $2 million to FPInnovations to support the development of new forestry economic hubs under the province’s Make More in B.C. initiative.

The project aims to strengthen local forest manufacturing by improving coordination between:

• manufacturers
• contractors
• First Nations partners
• local communities
• wood product producers

Focus on Fibre Access and Local Value

The initiative is designed to address one of B.C.’s biggest forestry challenges: predictable fibre supply.

Provincial Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the goal is to keep more local logs moving to local mills while reducing the sector’s vulnerability to U.S. duties, tariffs and global trade uncertainty.

Supporting Higher-Value Forest Products

The project will support a broad range of wood-based products, including:

• pulp and paper
• mass timber
• value-added lumber
• bioeconomy products
• wood residue applications

The aim is to “unlock fibre” and help companies invest in higher-value manufacturing.

Okanagan Model Shows Early Momentum

The program builds on work in the Okanagan and Merritt Timber Supply Area, where industry leaders began developing a cluster-style forestry hub.

The model focuses on balancing:

• long-term forest stewardship
• economic development
• First Nations participation
• community priorities
• fibre security

Industry Insight

B.C.’s forestry sector is under pressure from tariffs, fibre access constraints and shifting global markets. The Make More in B.C. project signals a move toward local value creation rather than dependence on raw log exports or single-market trade exposure.

For pulp, paper and wood product producers, stable fibre access and regional coordination may become essential for future investment.

Last Updated on 20/05/2026 by Jota Machinery