Ontario Provides CA$5 Million to Support Interfor’s Sault Ste. Marie Sawmill

Ontario Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products Kevin Holland announced more than CA$5 million in funding for Interfor’s Sault Ste. Marie mill, SooToday reported (9-22-25). The investment will help the mill upgrade equipment and adopt new technologies.

The project includes artificial intelligence screening systems and other technology aimed at increasing production capacity by 12%, cutting wood waste by 25%, and reducing emissions by 21%.

“This project will enable greater processing of small diameter logs, which are underused in current operations,” Holland said.

He added that Ontario welcomes the federal government’s recent pledge of more than CA$1 billion for the Canadian forestry industry and urged federal officials to work with the province on a clear path forward.

“The whole idea behind our forest biomass program is to invest into the sector as we deal with the increase in uncertainties created by the duties and tariffs that are being imposed by the United States government,” Holland said. “Investments like the one today are designed to help navigate through those challenging times and position the sector for that sustainability and actual growth. We want to not just save the sector; we want to see it grow.”