FRANCAIS

March 12, 2004

THE PAS, Manitoba – Wood product manufacturers in Manitoba will have access to industry specialists, technological solutions, as well as the latest research and other services available from Forintek’s Value-Added and Wood Technology Program as a result of $1.04 million funding provided under the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Oscar Lathlin, Manitoba Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs on behalf of Greg Selinger, Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, Minister of Western Economic Diversification, made the joint announcement today. Forintek is contributing an additional $225,000 over three years to establish the Manitoba-Forintek partnership.

"A major focus of the Forintek program will be enhancing opportunities for Aboriginal and northern communities in the wood products sector," said Lathlin. "Forintek’s services will support Manitoba’s overall Northern Development Strategy in targeting job creation and business development in the north. One of Forintek’s industry advisors will be located here in The Pas to service all of northern Manitoba."

"The forestry and wood products sector is a vital part of the Canadian economy, but is particularly important in the western provinces," said Minister Pagtakhan. "The Government of Canada is committed to bridging the commercialization gap by working with industry and government partners and investing in research and development opportunities. The expertise of Forintek will help strengthen and diversify the wood products sector and build capacity for future growth."

The Manitoba forest industry today is made up of over 250 firms, shipping wood products valued at $615 million and directly employing over 7,000 people. This industry is being challenged from an increasing diversity of international competitors.

The Manitoba-Forintek Program will be tailored to meet the needs of Manitoba’s wood products industry. The program will encourage Aboriginal and northern forestry developments, increase value-added processing, and encourage greater interaction between Manitoba’s primary and secondary wood products industries.

Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 budget.

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Forintek Canada Corp. is a not-for-profit research organization involved in the wood products sector. The organization operates on government and industry memberships, and contracts. Forintek was originally established as Canada’s Wood Products Institute by the Government of Canada in 1913, but was privatized as a not-for-profit research partnership in 1979. This year marks 25 years of successful contributions to the competitiveness of the forest sector.

The Manitoba-Forintek Value-Added and Wood Technology Program will assist wood product manufacturers to overcome technical obstacles and take advantage of market opportunities in the wood products sector.

There are two components to the Value-Added and Wood Technology Program: a research component conducted in partnership with universities in Canada; and a network of Industry Advisors located throughout the country. The Industry Advisors have training and experience in the wood products sector and provide direct assistance to businesses, communities and industry sectors.

Two dedicated Industry Advisors will deliver the Forintek program in Manitoba. One will be focused on enhancing Aboriginal and northern involvement in wood manufacturing. The other will concentrate on Manitoba’s secondary industry, with specific attention to the wood-manufacturing cluster in and around Winnipeg.

Manitoba’s membership also includes a seat on Forintek’s Technical Advisory Committee that provides direction on research as well as access to Forintek’s extensive library of reports and technical documents. As well, Manitoba will have access to Forintek’s network of over 200 specialists available to provide on-site advice.

Manitoba will be joining British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland as a partner province.

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