Boreal forest research project to focus on Quebec’s North Shore region

Baie-Comeau, QC – A new industrial research chair in silviculture and wildlife is being established at Laval University. The chair is being funded with $3 million by the federal government, along with private-sector support.

The federal government’s contribution toward the project will include $1,762,500 from NSERC’s industrial research chairs program and $1,250,000 from Canada Economic Development’s regional strategic initiatives program. Natural Resources Canada will also contribute research time to the chair’s activities.

The project is based on a public-private sector partnership that brings together Kruger, Abitibi-Consolidated, the Fondation de la faune du Qubec, Bowater, the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC), the Canadian Wood Products Research Institute (FORINTEK), Unifort, Quebec’s Ministre des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Ministre du Dveloppement durable et des Parcs, and l’Universit Laval. Together, these partners will contribute $2 million to the project, along with specialized knowledge and resources that will help intensify research activities and ensure the dissemination of research results.

“The new industrial research chair in silviculture and wildlife is one of 117 chairs NSERC funds through its research partnership programs,” says Tom Brzustowski NSERC president. “These programs are intended to support advanced research of high industrial and social value and ensure the results of this research are transferred to Canadian agencies and enterprises. Funding is determined by a careful analysis of the quality of the research proposals submitted and the commitment of the partners involved.”

According to Jean-Claude Ruel, senior chairholder and professor in wood and forest sciences, “This partnership with the industry will serve as an exceptional training opportunity for graduate students involved in the project, as it will enable them to strengthen their research abilities and pursue related work experiences in the future.”