THREE RIVERS, QC, July 16.  2012 - The Government of Quebec has unveiled a new five-year strategy to transform the province's forest products industry.

Quebec's Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Clément Gignac announced the policy shift at a press conference in Three Rivers today.

"This strategy suggests avenues for structuring the forest industry  sector a modern, diverse, innovative and responsive to changing markets,"said Minister Gignac.  This transformation will be accomplished in an increasingly competitive.  A real change of direction is in progress and we must be prepared."

The 2012-2017 Strategy to transform the forest products industry in Quebec is to amend the manufacturing of wood products, opening new markets for pulp and paper and encourage investment in bioenergy production. 

Over the whole period  2012-2017, it  has a considerable budget of $ 268 million.  Of this amount, 170 million will come from a fund that will be capitalized by Investissement Québec, through the Economic Development Fund, for a maximum of $ 95 million, and the Solidarity Fund QFL, which will provide up to $ 75 million.

The strategy emphasizes diversification to optimize the value of wood fiber.  The Strategy seeks to facilitate innovation for real benefits in markets such as the development of new products such as smart paper, bioplastics and biochemicals.  Finally, it accelerates adaptation to the requirements of the bioeconomy further leveraging the sector of forest biomass and bio-refining industry.

"This strategy will reinvigorate the forest industry.  It includes a set of initiatives to strengthen each of the three major sectors of the forest industry to diversify markets, strategic investments to stimulate and improve the training of the workforce"said Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and Minister responsible for the region National Capital, Mr.  Sam Hamad. 

"The future of the timber industry through innovation and diversification. Therefore, we believe this strategy will strengthen our competitiveness, will consolidate jobs and develop new business opportunities," he added. 

The  2012-2017 Strategy to transform the forest products industry in Quebec is closely related to the 2013-2020 Action Plan on Climate Change.  It will contribute to achieving the goals set by the government in the fight against climate change.  It is also partly funded from this action plan.

"The new products derived from wood fiber help to minimize the ecological footprint.  Often, these innovative products can substitute materials made from fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases.  These new standards are becoming more and more like a business rule.  Quebec must take advantage of its environmental record and its conquest of markets, "concluded Minister Gignac.

"We welcome the fact that the Strategy is based on the scientific and technical advances that have been made over the last few years. It also proposes an approach that focuses on developing innovative wood-based products," says  Pierre Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer at FPInnovations.

The full version of the  2012-2017 Strategy to transform the forest products industry in Quebec is available at the following address:  www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/fr/forets/strategie-2012-2017