February 25, 2026 (Ottawa, ON) — The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) welcomes today’s launch of a national Call for Proposals by the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, under Natural Resources Canada’s forest sector transformation programs. Backed by a $500-million federal commitment, the funding is now open for applications from eligible businesses and organizations across Canada.
The call supports projects through four key programs:
- The Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program
- The Green Construction Through Wood (GCWood) program
- The Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI)
- The Global Forest Leadership Program (GloFor)
“This strategic investment comes at a pivotal time for Canada’s forest sector,” said Rick Jeffery, President and CEO of the Canadian Wood Council. “These programs can help accelerate modernization, support innovation, and expand the use of advanced wood solutions—strengthening our industry and opportunities within our domestic market while positioning Canada as a global leader in sustainable construction.”
Wood solutions are central to Canada’s built environment and economic future. Expanded use of wood in construction can support housing supply goals, reduce embodied carbon, and create new opportunities for growth and value-added manufacturing.
The Canadian Wood Council encourages members, partners, and wood products manufacturers to explore these funding opportunities to:
- innovate and diversify production
- strengthen domestic demand
- expand the use of wood in construction
- support Indigenous participation
- access emerging markets
About the Canadian Wood Council
The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is Canada’s unifying voice for the wood products industry. As a national federation of associations, our members represent hundreds of manufacturers across the country. Our mission is to support our members by accelerating market demand for wood products and championing responsible leadership through excellence in codes, standards, and regulations. We also deliver technical support and knowledge transfer for the construction sector through our market leading WoodWorks program.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sarah Hicks
Communications and Outreach Manager
Canadian Wood Council
shicks@cwc.ca | 1-705-796-3381
