AFPA Welcomes Federal Commitment to Forestry’s Future

Edmonton, Alberta | November 6, 2026 — The Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the federal government’s commitment of $6.5 billion over six years to strengthen Canada’s forest sector through its Forest Sector Transformation Strategy announced in Budget 2026.

“Forestry’s future is worth investing in,” said Jason Krips, President and CEO of AFPA. “Our sector is an economic engine in more than 70 Alberta communities and hundreds of communities across Canada. These investments recognize the important role forestry plays in supporting Canadian jobs, strengthening rural communities, and driving economic growth.”

“Alongside our industry partners across Canada, we have consistently advocated for governments to create the conditions that attract investment, enable innovation, and strengthen our ability to compete globally,” continued Krips. “This commitment is a strong signal that the federal government recognizes how critical these measures are to building an innovative, competitive, and prosperous forest sector from coast to coast.”

While sustainability and responsible environmental stewardship are at the heart of the forest sector, its contributions extend well beyond the forest. Through sustainable forest management and wildfire mitigation, forestry supports healthy landscapes and resilient communities while generating billions in economic activity that helps fund public services and infrastructure across the country.

AFPA looks forward to working with federal and provincial partners to translate this commitment into meaningful action, including improving fibre supply, reducing operating costs, modernizing manufacturing facilities, and creating the regulatory certainty needed to encourage long-term investment.

About the Alberta Forest Products Association

The Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) is a non-profit association that has represented the sustainable forest industry in Alberta since 1942. We foster success and innovation in the forest sector by providing a broad range of resources, guidance, and training for member companies, and we’re also responsible for increasing public understanding of our forest resource and how the forest industry maintains it.

For more information, contact:

Aspen Dudzic, Vice President of Public Affairs
M: 780.996.4377
adudzic@albertaforestproducts.ca