Indigenous people looking to work in B.C.’s forest sector will have more opportunities to learn, train and develop in-demand skills through two new provincial grants.

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, and B.C. delegates concluded a trade mission to Europe, highlighted by signing two agreements with European countries to create opportunities and jobs for British Columbians.

As B.C. moves forward with the recently released Mass Timber Action Plan, the Province has signed a significant agreement with Finland to continue collaboration on research, advancement, development and commercialization of the forest bioeconomy and mass timber.

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has released the following statement on the trade mission to Europe to support good jobs in B.C., explore new economic opportunities and build on B.C.’s reputation as a leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards:

A new Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) office in Vietnam will help drive trade opportunities and sustainable jobs in B.C.’s forestry sector while offering greater protection from market volatility and other global challenges.

The Province is launching the Mass Timber Action Plan and announcing funding for four new mass-timber housing and infrastructure projects as a key step in the StrongerBC Economic Plan.

Small and medium-sized manufacturers in B.C. can expand, adapt and enhance their operations through the StrongerBC Accelerating Manufacturing Grants program.

The City of New Westminster is joining the growing list of B.C. municipalities participating in the Province’s Tall Wood Initiative that allows the construction of 12-storey mass timber buildings.