The Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s final report is now available.
The forest sector is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy and identity. For generations, our forests have supported communities and powered local economies. In response to ongoing trade pressures and the need to diversify and ensure long-term competitiveness, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force to identify pathways to restructure, retool, and transform Canada’s forest sector.
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, selected eight leaders (including two co-chairs) to be Task Force members based on their expertise and knowledge of different aspects of the forest sector value chain, ensuring strong voices represent forest sector workers, Indigenous economic development, capital markets, and housing.
The Task Force completed its mandate in April 2026.
Mandate
The purpose of the Task Force was to identify priority actions and pathways for industry and federal, provincial and territorial governments to restructure and retool the sector for long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
The Task Force began its work on January 19, 2026, and its key deliverable was a final report providing recommendations and a roadmap to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Final report
The Task Force’s recommendations fall into six themes:
- Stable access to cost-competitive fibre
- Transformation, modernization and transition
- Increasing wood in construction
- Workforce and communities
- Trade and market access
- Fostering a forest culture
The Task Force’s work was informed by engaging with representatives from provinces and territories, labour organizations, Indigenous groups, industry, forest-dependent communities, academia and others. The Task Force also received and reviewed written submissions from interested parties via a public web portal.
The final report was delivered to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on April 16, 2026.
Task Force Members
Task Force members were identified to reflect regional representation, innovative practices, different segments of the supply chain, Indigenous leadership, labour interests and financial perspectives. The Task Force members include:
- Ken Kalesnikoff, Principal and Director, Kalesnikoff Mass Timber (Co-Chair)
- Frédéric Verreault, Executive Vice President, Chantiers Chibougamau (Co-Chair)
- Brad Carr, Chief Executive Officer, Mattamy Homes Canada
- Don Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Nawitka Capital Advisors Ltd.
- Jim Irving, Co-Chief Executive Officer, J.D. Irving Ltd., Kent Homes
- Lana Payne, National President, Unifor
- Lennard Joe, Chief Executive Officer, BC First Nations Forestry Council
- Luc Thériault, Chief Executive Officer, Wood Products & President (Domtar Canada), Canadian Lumber Trade Alliance (CLTA)
News releases
- 2026-04-16: Statement by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on the conclusion of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s mandate
- 2026-01-19: Task Force begins work to transform Canada’s forest sector