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Canada launches Forest Sector Action Plan

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VICTORIA, BC, June 4, 2026 /CNW/ – Canada’s forest sector is at a pivotal moment. Ongoing pressures — including tariffs, fibre supply challenges, changing market demands and climate change — are significantly impacting the industry and the communities that depend on it. In response, the Government of Canada is focusing on what we can control — and moving forward with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners on a co-ordinated approach to transform the sector into one that can thrive in the long term.

Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a Forest Sector Action Plan, with key commitments to drive the transformation of the forest sector in collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and other key partners.

The Action Plan is informed by the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s recommendations and builds on the extensive work it completed during its 90–day mandate.

The plan focuses on four priority areas to position Canada’s forest sector as a leading global supplier of both traditional and advanced forest products:

Securing a competitive and predictable supply of wood fibre;Making the investments required for innovation and modernization across the sector;Expanding domestic and international market opportunities; andSupporting workers and communities through skills development and transition measures.

Federal, provincial and territorial governments discussed the implementation of the Action Plan during this year’s meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM). At the meeting, governments committed to collaborate over the coming months to align policies and investments, reduce barriers and accelerate progress toward transformation. This work will come together by the end of 2026 in a formal Forest Sector Strategy for Canada.

Canada’s natural resources have long underpinned our prosperity — and as we work to build the strongest economy in the G7 and double non-U.S. trade over the next decade, our forest sector can play a central role. By supporting workers today and modernizing the industry for tomorrow, the Government of Canada is ensuring the forest sector remains a pillar of strength and prosperity for decades to come.

Quotes

“Mills are closing, Canadians are losing jobs, and communities are suffering, due to tariff pressures, market changes and more. We must take action to pivot, grow, modernize and diversify so we can protect the industry we have built and catalyze its growth for the long term. Today’s Action Plan builds on the work of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force and provides a clear path forward for the concrete measures Team Canada will take to build a strong, prosperous, sovereign Canada for all.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Canada’s forest sector relies on the people, families and communities who build it. At a time of real challenge, this Action Plan will empower workers with the skills they need to thrive while supporting good jobs and helping communities adapt. By investing in skills and innovation, we are building a stronger, more inclusive economy where the forest sector continues to create opportunity today and shape a sustainable future for generations to come.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Quick Facts

Canada’s forest sector is a major economic driver, supporting nearly 200,000 workers, including over 11,000 Indigenous people, and contributing more than $20 billion to our GDP.Since August 2025, the Government of Canada has introduced over $2 billion in measures designed to defend and transform Canada’s forest sector, including the renewal of NRCan’s suite of forest sector transformation programs.The Government of Canada announced the creation of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force on November 26, 2025, as part of new measures to support and transform Canada’s forest sector.The Task Force was launched on January 19, 2026, and mandated to deliver a final report within 90 days.On June 3, 2026, Minister Hodgson released the Task Force’s final report and announced new and expanded measures to support the transformation of Canada’s forest sector as well as close to $130 million for 56 forest sector projects across the country.

Related Products

Draft Action Plan to Transform Canada’s Forest SectorCanadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s final reportCanada advances forest sector transformation to protect jobs and strengthen communities nationwide (June 3, 2026)Statement by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on the conclusion of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s mandate (April 16, 2026)Government of Canada launches $500 million in support for retooling Canada’s forest sector (February 25, 2026)Advancing protections and support for Canada’s forest sector (December 15, 2025)Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to protect and transform Canada’s steel and lumber industries (November 26, 2025)Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to transform Canada’s softwood lumber industry (August 5, 2025)

Associated Links

Canada’s softwood lumber industrySupport for Canada’s Forest Sector Employers and WorkersSoftwood Lumber Guarantee Program

Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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ASTRI Establishes Advisory Board for Smart Mobility Technology Alliance

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29 minutes ago

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November 6, 2026

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Bringing Together Industry, Academia and Research to Drive Mobility Innovation

HONG KONG, Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) announced the establishment of an Advisory Board for the Smart Mobility Technology Alliance (SMTA), an industry-leading initiative designed to accelerate the adoption and scaling of next-generation smart mobility technologies across the Greater Bay Area and beyond. The SMTA aims to address critical challenges and foster a commercially-driven ecosystem for innovation in the smart mobility sector.

The newly-formed Advisory Board comprises distinguished leaders from infrastructure, transport, telecommunications, and academia, offering a wide-ranging blend of industry expertise, market intelligence and policy insight. Drawing on their extensive network and experience across the public and private sectors, the Advisory Board will shape the SMTA’s strategic priorities, identify emerging opportunities, and provide guidance on the evolving mobility landscape.

“The formation of the SMTA Advisory Board underscores ASTRI’s commitment to advancing Hong Kong as a regional leader in technology-driven mobility,” said Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI. “By uniting industry, government, academia and research around a shared vision, this strategic alliance will unlock commercial opportunities and deliver transformative solutions that redefine the future of mobility,” he added.

The Advisory Board provides strategic guidance on SMTA’s vision and research and development priorities, helping to align its initiatives with market needs and commercialisation opportunities. It supports ecosystem development by fostering partnerships across industry, academia and the public sector, while facilitating pilot projects and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. The Board also offers insights on policy and standards, and promotes engagement with key stakeholders and international partners to advance future mobility innovation.

Members of the Advisory Board for Smart Mobility Technology Alliance include:

Chairman

Dr Ying Huang, Chief Technology Officer, ASTRI

Deputy Chairman

Mr Dominic Chow, Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, HKSAR Government

Secretary

Dr Ivan Sham, Chief Director, Technical Solutions Business Development, ASTRI

Members (by alphabetical order in surname)

Mr Lawrence Fong, Director, Digital and IT, Cathay Pacific Airways LimitedMr William Ho, Executive Director, Corporate Development, Airport Authority Hong KongIr Dr John Hui, Deputy Executive Director, Vocational Training CouncilMr Ryan Ip, Vice President of Our Hong Kong FoundationProf Mei-po Kwan, Director, Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong KongDr Gabriel Leung, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Solutions, Hong Kong Broadband Network LimitedMr Roger Ma, General Manager (Operations), Citybus LimitedMr Steve Ng, Managing Director, Commercial Group, HKT LimitedMs Sylvia Ng, Deputy Director, Corporate Development, MTR Corporation LimitedMr BY Sim, General Manager (Hong Kong SAR), Thales Solutions and Services Hong Kong LimitedMr Alex Wong, Deputy CEO, Corporate Affairs, Hong Kong Representative Office, Huawei International Co LimitedDr Rosana Wong, Deputy Chair and Executive Director, Yau Lee Holdings LimitedMs Yan Yan, General Manager, Keeta Drone Hong KongMs Theresa Yeung, Managing Principal, East Asia, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited

Launched by ASTRI in April 2023, the Smart Mobility Technology Alliance (formerly the Smart Mobility Technology (C-V2X) Alliance) provides a networking and knowledge sharing platform for ecosystem stakeholders. These include infrastructure manufacturers, telecommunications providers, EV and drone developers, system integrators, and end users from China, in particular the Greater Bay Area, and overseas markets, all seeking to explore collaboration and technology commercialisation in the smart mobility field.

SMTA Website: https://smta.astri.org/

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/4s0M9ex

 

About ASTRI

Founded in 2000 by the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is the city’s largest government-funded R&D centre. Committed to transforming high-impact research into practical innovations, ASTRI drives market-driven, interdisciplinary advancements across sectors, including Smart City, FinTech, Digital Health and Life Sciences, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Advanced Electronics, New Energy and Energy Storage, and Green and ESG Technologies. Following its merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, ASTRI has further strengthened its capabilities, with over 1,500 patents and 2,200 successful cases of technology transfer. Recognised with numerous international awards, ASTRI continues to nurture top I&T talent and foster collaborations among the I&T ecosystem, contributing to Hong Kong’s high-value economic development. For more information, please visit: https://www.astri.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/astri-establishes-advisory-board-for-smart-mobility-technology-alliance-302931698.html

SOURCE Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)

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2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit Opens

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29 minutes ago

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November 6, 2026

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WUZHEN, China, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from CRI Online

The 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit opened on November 3 in Wuzhen, Tongxiang City in Zhejiang Province, under the theme “Open Source and Openness, Joined Contribution and Shared Benefits — Jointly Building a Community With a Shared Future in Cyberspace”. Approximately 1,800 participants attended the opening ceremony, including government officials from various countries, heads of international organizations such as the United Nations, representatives of global Internet companies, and experts and scholars.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2026-world-internet-conference-wuzhen-summit-opens-302931703.html

SOURCE CRI Online

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Forum on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations in Cyberspace held at 2026 WIC Wuzhen Summit

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29 minutes ago

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November 6, 2026

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WUZHEN, China, Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from CRI Online:

The Forum on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations in Cyberspace was held in Wuzhen, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on November 4 as part of the 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit.

Themed “Deepening Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations, Building a Better Online Home Together,” the forum aimed to promote the Global Civilization Initiative and advance exchanges among civilizations in cyberspace, contributing to a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

Yang Jianwen, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China; Hu Wei, vice governor of Zhejiang Province; and Peng Jianming, a member of China Media Group’s editorial board, delivered opening remarks.

Keynote speakers shared achievements and practical experience in digital cultural heritage preservation and development, international youth exchanges and talent development, cross-cultural communication by mainstream media, and film and television production.

A roundtable discussion explored “Co-Creating Diverse Online Content, Unlocking New Paradigms for Dialogue among Civilizations.”

The forum also launched the “Initiative for Improvement of Minors’ Internet Literacy.” Representatives from the Cyberspace Administration of China’s Bureau of Internet Social Work, the Ministry of Education’s Department of Basic Education, the ministry’s Center for Educational Technology and Resource Development, and Tencent, together with Peking University experts, jointly launched the initiative.

The micro variety show project “Civilizations in Conversation” was also unveiled. A Chinese opera artist and a British performer of Chinese opera jointly presented “Shared Operatic Charm: Face-Changing Show Featuring a Foreign ‘Monkey King'” during an intangible cultural heritage showcase.

Hosted by China Media Group and co-organized by CRI Online, Huawei and RayNeo, the forum attracted more than 120 participants, including government officials, experts and scholars in online culture, technology company executives, and prominent online personalities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/forum-on-exchanges-and-mutual-learning-among-civilizations-in-cyberspace-held-at-2026-wic-wuzhen-summit-302931738.html

SOURCE CRI Online

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