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Canada plans $50 million for digital forestry centre in New Brunswick
Canada plans to put $50 million into a proposed digital forestry centre in New Brunswick.
The Strategic Innovation Centre in Digital Forestry is a collaboration between the Northern Hardwood Research Institute and Research New Brunswick.
It aims to use AI to help keep forestry profitable while protecting the environment.
The sector is facing tighter supplies, higher operating costs, low pulp prices and ongoing U.S. tariffs.
Research New Brunswick says the centre would create a digital twin of the province’s forests to help predict wildfires and pest infestations.
Natural Resources Canada says the project could serve as a model for other regions.
The proposed centre is valued at $86 million, but the federal funding depends on final project approval.
Tim Hodgson says the government is working on a national forest sector strategy to support more initiatives like this.
The federal government plans to invest $50 million in a proposed digital forestry centre in New Brunswick.
The Strategic Innovation Centre in Digital Forestry aims to use artificial intelligence to support a profitable forest industry while protecting the environment.
The proposed centre is a collaboration between the Northern Hardwood Research Institute and Research New Brunswick.
Research New Brunswick says the centre would create a digital twin of the province’s forests to help predict wildfire and pest-infestation locations.
The funding depends on final project approval, and federal officials estimate the centre’s total value at $86 million.
- Who
- The federal government plans to provide the funding. The proposed centre is a collaboration between the Northern Hardwood Research Institute and Research New Brunswick.
- What
- Ottawa plans to invest $50 million in a proposed digital forestry centre.
- When
- The plan was announced on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- New Brunswick, Canada.
- Why
- The centre aims to use artificial intelligence to support the forest industry while protecting the environment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Northern Hardwood Research Institute and Research New Brunswick asked for federal funding.
The federal government said it plans to invest $50 million in the proposed centre.
- Federal planned investment
- $50 million
- Estimated total project value
- $86 million
- Proposed centre
- Strategic Innovation Centre in Digital Forestry
- New Brunswick partners
- Northern Hardwood Research Institute and Research New Brunswick
- Funding condition
- Final project approval