VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Canadian government is plans to invest more than $24 million to promote innovative wood products from sustainably managed forests to create jobs and economic opportunities for Canadians.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi announced a multi-year investment in six wood product associations based in British Columbia to help strengthen international demand for Canadian wood products. "We are proud to partner with these Canadian associations who are opening doors for our wood products in international markets," Sohi said. "This is a great example of how we are working with industry partners to create jobs and build a more prosperous future for the many Canadian communities that depend on forestry."

This investment includes:

• $16,786,200 for Canada Wood Group in Vancouver — which brings together Canadian wood product associations — to help diversify and expand Canadian forest product exports to traditional and emerging offshore markets. Support will enable market research; assist in the transfer of technology; advance standards that will increase the use of wood in construction; and deliver training in wood design and construction in China, Japan, South Korea, India and Europe.
   
• $3,394,709 for Forestry Innovation Investment in Vancouver — British Columbia's market development agency for forest products — to advance training, education and wood use overseas, specifically in Asian markets such as India, Vietnam and China.
   
• $1,925,378 for the Council of Forest Industries in Vancouver — an association that represents British Columbia's forest industry — to help create business leads to increase the use of wood-frame construction in China, Japan and South Korea, and to reinforce the Canada Wood brand as a "go-to" source for wood construction and manufacturing technology.
   
• $944,028 for BC Wood Specialties Group in Langley — a non-profit trade association that represents British Columbia's value-added wood products manufacturers — to support small and medium-sized companies in their efforts to become export-ready and facilitate business-to-business opportunities for their membership through trade shows and missions.
   
• $926,360 for the Wood Pellet Association of Canada in Revelstoke — a member-driven organization for wood pellet producers — to advance the interests of domestic wood pellet producers, to help members grow through promoting the uses of wood pellets in Canadian and global markets, and to support market and technical research and encourage fair and open energy trade.
   
• $33,000 for Western Red Cedar Lumber Association in Vancouver — a non-profit association representing producers of cedar products — to maintain and grow the demand for western red cedar by helping increase its online presence in a number of key international markets.

Government of Canada funding is provided through Natural Resources Canada's Expanding Market Opportunities (EMO) program, which supports market development for Canada's forest products industry.