Natural Resources Canada invests C$5.1M in West Fraser Mills' Slave Lake, Alberta, pulp mill to help reduce GHG emissions, improve energy efficiency

Audrey Dixon

SLAVE LAKE, Alberta , October 13, 2011 (press release) – Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray–Athabasca, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced investments totalling $5.1 million in West Fraser Mills Ltd. to benefit the regional economy and advance transformation in Alberta’s forest industry.

“Our Government's top priority remains the economy,” said MP Jean. “We continue to invest in communities and in initiatives that will make Canadian forest products even more attractive in the global marketplace. With the economic recovery still fragile, we will continue to take action to protect and create important forest sector jobs across Canada.”

These investments are improving the environmental performance and economic competitiveness of Canada’s forest sector through innovation and new product development. This will expand market opportunities for traditional and novel Canadian wood and pulp and paper products, while helping to sustain over 500 jobs in Alberta.

“By investing in our forest companies, we are helping to protect local jobs,” added MP Jean. “New technologies are helping mills create innovative products and reduce their environmental footprint. These are important steps to ensuring the long-term viability of the forest industry.”

Continued support for broader forest sector transformation was provided in The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which provides $60 million over one year to renew programs that focus on forest sector innovation and market development including a $25.5-million investment that was recently announced for the Transformative Technologies Research Program.

For more information, please visit canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca

Forestweb Editor's Note: According to a backgrounder that accompanied this release, West Fraser Mills Ltd. in Slave Lake is receiving $5.1 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the mill’s energy efficiency.

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