Word spreading of Northwest’s wooden power
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Source: The Chronicle-Journal
Thunder Bay’s forestry sector is in the spotlight at the Montréal Wood Convention 2026 this week, thanks to the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission’s (CEDC) business development team.
The three-day wood convention brings together leaders, innovators and experts from across the sector to foster collaboration and help shape the future of forestry and advanced wood products.
Jamie Taylor, chief executive officer of the Thunder Bay CEDC, is in Montreal attending the conference and, along with her team, is promoting Thunder Bay’s strong value proposition in the forestry sector while strengthening connections with investors, partners and industry leaders. Her message to investors is that Thunder Bay has deep roots in forestry and a strong business ecosystem.
“Thunder Bay is the forestry hub of Northwestern Ontario, which is supported by rail, marine shipping, highways, and energy infrastructure,” Taylor said.
“It offers investors a unique combination of resource access, infrastructure and innovation. Our region is supported by a strong multimodal logistics network, allowing forestry products to move efficiently to markets across Canada and around the world.”
She added that Thunder Bay also has a significant surplus of hardwood fibre — more than one million cubic metres –creating substantial opportunities for harvesting, value-added manufacturing, and the development of new wood-based products.
“In addition, Thunder Bay is home to leading institutions in bio-economy research and innovation, positioning the region at the forefront of next-generation forestry and advanced wood product development,” she said.
Taylor said while American-imposed tariffs are encouraging many companies in Northwestern Ontario to reassess their market strategies and diversify their customer base, there is a growing focus on building stronger relationships with partners across Ontario and Canada, reducing reliance on U.S. clients and opening the door to new domestic and international opportunities.
“This shift is helping strengthen regional resilience while encouraging companies to explore new supply chains, partnerships, and markets,” she said.
“Thunder Bay continues to be a strategic centre for forestry innovation, manufacturing, and market access.”
Taylor says by attending the Montréal Wood Convention, they are actively engaging with industry leaders to ensure the region remains competitive in today’s ever-changing landscape.
A key focus of their efforts is to raise awareness of the opportunities and to attract businesses to locate in Thunder Bay and leverage the many assets that make the community an ideal place for growth and investment.
“Attending major industry conferences helps ensure Thunder Bay remains top of mind for companies and investors seeking new locations, partners, and opportunities for expansion,” Taylor said.
“At the same time, there is significant momentum around the bio-economy sector, the “new forestry,” which represents major potential for Northwestern Ontario.”
