British Columbia is contributing more than $12 million to expand demand for made-in-B.C. forest products, support workers, and open new opportunities for communities throughout the province.
As the forest sector continues facing punitive U.S. trade actions, B.C. is looking to new trade avenues and partnerships. Through Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), the provincial Crown agency for wood product market development, this funding will support projects that diversify markets and increase the use of B.C. wood, to help maintain competitiveness in the global wood economy.
“Everyday building material costs are going up for middle-class Americans who want to build a home. We have duties and tariffs set by U.S. President Donald J. Trump to thank for that,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “Here in B.C., we are focused on ensuring no forestry worker is put in this position ever again. This investment will help B.C. forge powerful partnerships and position us to compete globally and win.”
The program includes two streams: market development, and wood first initiatives. These are designed to strengthen supply chains, drive demand and to create more opportunities for workers and businesses around the province.
Expanding global demand for B.C. wood
For 2026-27, FII will invest more than $9 million into market development initiatives, leveraged by more than $3 million form industry partners, for a total of more than $12 million. These projects focus on growing international demand and tearing down barriers to market access.
Efforts include expanding overseas wood use through applied research, technical approvals, building code development, and supporting joint government industry trade missions. Work will also target high-growth sectors, such as non-residential, resorts and renovations markets where demand for sustainable, high-quality wood products continues to increase.
FII has made progress in Vietnam, China, India, Japan, the United Kingdom and South Korea, while looking into opportunities in Mexico, the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.
Building more with wood at home
FII is also investing $2.6 million into its Wood First initiative, with an additional $1.5 million from partners, for a total of more than $4 million to increase wood use throughout B.C.
These projects focus on advancing mass timber and prefabricated wood construction by supporting architects, developers and local governments, with the goal to have more homes worldwide built with B.C. wood.
Investments will also support training and education, helping builders and designers move quicker on wood-based projects, and will connect buyers with B.C. producers.
What this means for people and communities in B.C.
* More demand for B.C. wood means more stable good jobs in forestry and manufacturing
* Stronger local supply chains help keep mills running and communities thriving
* New training and education opportunities prepare the next generation of workers for employment
* Expanding markets helps protect B.C. from global trade uncertainty
This work is part of B.C.’s path forward to grow a stronger, sustainable and more resilient forestry sector. One that creates good paying jobs, gets more value from every tree, and supports communities. By expanding markets, backing innovation and increasing wood use in B.C., government is taking action to keep fibre moving, mills running and workers working, all while building a more sustainable future for the province.
This builds on the work FII has done in the past year:
* hosted B.C.’s largest forestry trade mission to Japan and South Korea
* connected Premier David Eby and Kahlon to key customers in India during their recent trade mission and co-ordinating an upcoming Premier’s trade mission to China
* opened FII’s United Kingdom office to access the European market
* helped secure a memorandum of understanding between China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Canada’s Department of Natural Resources, and B.C.’s Ministry of Forests, to get B.C. wood products into China’s construction sector