The release of a federal government competitiveness report is an important call to action requiring a commitment from Ottawa that it is prepared to improve Canada’s global competitiveness by delivering more agile regulations, improved infrastructure, and continuing to develop a workforce for the future while accelerating innovation, say leaders from Canada’s forest products sector.

The report released yesterday by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains entitled The Innovation and Competitiveness Imperative: Seizing Opportunities for Growth, contains recommendations from six sectors with high growth potential, including Resources of the Future, which includes Canada’s forest products sector and its workers.

“In the face of an uncertain global trading environment and when competing countries are lowering tax rates and streamlining regulations, the release of this report couldn’t come at a more critical time,” said Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) CEO Derek Nighbor. “We must maintain the Canadian advantage that includes securing our position as an environmental leader and supporting important social programs.”