Supporting Growth in Ontario’s Forest Industry

Written by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources on 20 September 2013

Becker Cogeneration Plant, Hornepayne, Ontario. Supplied photo

Left to right: Daniel Lewis, Emilio Rigato, James Demarco, Walter Haavaldsrud, Giulio Grossi, Burt Haavaldsrud, Larry Joy, Anthony Grossi, Carlo Bin, Chief Laura Medeiros, Gianni Grossi, Michelle Miller.Photo taken by Jackfish Journal.

Ontario Creating Jobs, Strengthening Northern Economy

Ontario is helping to build a stronger, more diverse northern economy while supporting 160 jobs in Hornepayne.

"Forestry is a key economic driver in Northern Ontario and I am tremendously pleased Olav Haavaldsrud is supporting and creating new jobs with the opening of a cogeneration plant, fostering a stronger economy regionally and across the North. This project represents important diversification within the forestry sector — certainly a vital advantage as the sector shows renewed signs of growth.” Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines

With support from the Ontario government, Olav Haavaldsrud Timber Company Ltd. has opened the Becker Cogeneration Plant. This 10-megawatt facility will use sawmill wood by-products to generate electricity for the provincial power grid and produce heat for nearby sawmill and kiln operations.

“This new plant will not only have economic rewards to the community of Hornepayne, but will also change the landscape of the forest industry. We would like to thank the Ministry of Natural Resources for its commitment and dedication to this project and thank the province for its financial support.” Carlo Bin, President, Becker Cogeneration Plant and Olav Haavaldsrud Timber Company Ltd.

Supporting an innovative forest industry is part of the government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario. A strong northern economy will help create a fair society and give the people of Ontario more opportunities for jobs and economic prosperity.

This is a prime example of our government’s commitment to the forestry industry and to preserving and creating jobs in Northern Ontario. The opening of the Becker Cogeneration Plant represents a major turning point for the entire community of Hornepayne and will bring substantial savings to the Haavaldsrud sawmill. Our government continues to work with forestry businesses to strengthen their competitiveness and to help create long-term prosperity in Northern Ontario communities.” David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources

Quick Facts

Ontario’s support for this project includes a conditional grant of $11.867 million through the Forest Sector Prosperity Fund, a $17.8-million loan guarantee through the Forest Sector Loan Guarantee Program, and $1 million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
The $66-million cogeneration facility is next to existing lumber-manufacturing facilities, creating 20 new jobs, saving 100 more at a nearby mill and supporting an estimated 40 indirect jobs in collecting forest biofibre.
Olav Haavaldsrud Timber Company Ltd. is the second-largest employer in the community.
The plant will consume 175,000 to 200,000 tonnes of sawmill wood by-products annually.