Canada’s vast forests have powered local economies from coast to coast to coast for centuries.
The federal government describes the forest sector, which employs nearly 200,000 Canadians, as “more than an industry”—something closer to “lifeline” for many smaller communities.
But in recent times, the country’s forests sector has faced challenges, such as pressure from tariffs.
The federal government is investing in local forestry companies to strengthen the national supply chain, according to Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
“In communities across the country, the forest sector serves as an economic backbone, which means the health of the sector and the strength of Canada are inseparable,” he said.
“This is why our new government is investing in industrial-scale innovation that helps mills stay in operation, support and create jobs, and diversify into advanced, value-added products,” Hodgson stated.
“By ensuring Canadian forest products remain competitive, we’re building a stronger, more self-reliant forestry sector for the next generation of Canadians,” the minister remarked.
At the BC Council of Forest Industries’ Annual Convention, Canada revealed an investment of over $4 million under Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program for Nanaimo-based Atlas Engineered Products.
The capital will fuel the development of a cutting-edge wood manufacturing facility powered by advanced robotics.
The robotic technology will boost manufacturing precision and efficiency and reduce waste while delivering reliable wooden trusses, according to a statement.
“Canada’s forest sector has always been built on innovation and hard work, and today we are investing in the next chapter,” commented Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “By combining Canadian resources with cutting-edge technology, projects like this are creating good jobs, strengthening our supply chains and helping us build more homes and diversify our exports.”
The project is part of a broader “retooling” of Canada’s forest sector, Hogan says, with an aim to go beyond traditional products into wood-based bioproducts, advanced biofuels, and diversified pulp and paper products while also scaling up production of advanced building materials like mass timber.
The IFIT program supports the adoption and scaling up of transformative technologies and products in the Canadian forest sector.
Since August 2025, the Government of Canada has introduced over $2.3B in measures targeting Canada’s forest sector.
Atlas trades publicly on the TSX-V as AEP.
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