The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario are to invest CA$216 792 to enable the Biomass North Development Centre, in partnership with the Union of Ontario Indians, to implement its Northern Ontario Bioeconomy Strategy.
The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario are to invest CA$216 792 to spur innovation and create new renewable energy opportunities across Northern Ontario, Canada. The funding will enable the Biomass North Development Centre, in partnership with the Union of Ontario Indians, to implement its Northern Ontario Bioeconomy Strategy, which was developed in 2015 in consultation with stakeholders from across the region.
– We are thrilled that the federal and provincial governments recognise the importance of our efforts and are investing to implement the Northern Ontario Bioeconomy Strategy. Once fully implemented, the strategy will help revive our forestry sector, create business opportunities, enhance First Nations partnerships, reduce energy costs, and support the environmental sustainability of our natural resources, said Dawn Lambe, Executive Director, Biomass North Development Centre in a statement.
A key part of the implementation will include establishing 13 demonstration facilities across the region to showcase the efficiency and effectiveness of various biomass initiatives. The demonstration facilities will focus on priority areas including: sustainable supply model; bioenergy and fuels, and; biocomposites and chemicals. As part of the project, the organisation will also launch a training plan, and seek to develop new markets and international partnerships.
Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming, made the announcement December 9 saying that it “will help modernise Northern Ontario’s economy by maximising our forestry resources and usher in a new era of innovation and job creation in the region.” Rota spoke on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) and the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).
FedNor is the federal funding programme for projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation throughout the region. NOFFC is provincial funding, which works to build strong, prosperous communities across Northern Ontario and supports the province’s top priority to create jobs and grow the economy. Both levels of government are providing matching contributions of CA$108 396.
