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Source verified July 12, 2026
BDC Forestry Support Program
Financing and advisory support for forestry businesses
Latest source updateLast Update: July 11, 2026Latest change: The Forestry Support Program page and its application form now show clearer segment-specific eligibility, financing terms, and application guidance.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 11, 2026
Latest change: The Forestry Support Program page and its application form now show clearer segment-specific eligibility, financing terms, and application guidance.
Forestry Support Program content updated
The Forestry Support Program page now presents a new at-a-glance structure with separate liquidity support and transformation support offers, including segment-specific rules, uses, and term lengths. The visible financing details now include up to $25M for manufacturers, up to $10M for service companies, and transformation support with terms up to 144 months, while the page also clarifies that some applicants cannot combine Liquidity support with the Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program. The application guidance was also revised: instead of a ready-to-apply contact block, the page now says a representative will contact applicants after the BDC online application form to request documents such as an organizational chart, 3 years of financial statements, recent cash-flow statements, borrowing information and compliance certificates, plus tariff-related material where applicable. The supporting Business loan information request page now says the Forestry Support Program is for businesses in
Funding available
$ 250,000 - $ 25,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened June 23, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Forestry manufacturing businesses, including sawmills, remanufacturing facilities, pulp and paper mills, and finished wood product manufacturers.
See full eligibility
Overview
BDC's Forestry Support Program helps Canadian forestry manufacturers and service companies manage trade uncertainty and economic pressure with financing and advisory support, offering up to $25 million depending on the option. It can support working capital, debt or lease payments, automation, AI, equipment upgrades, and strategic growth projects such as partnerships or mergers.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- $ 2,000,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Maintaining operations and business continuity during trade uncertainty.
- Supporting working capital needs for liquidity.
- Modernizing forestry manufacturing operations.
- Investing in automation, AI, and equipment upgrades.
- Exploring partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions.
Documents Needed
- An organizational chart.
- 3 years of financial statements, including interim FIs if applicable, and recent financial statements including cash-flow statements.
- Borrowing-based information and a compliance certificate.
- Tariff-related requirements and supporting information for finished wood product manufacturers.
- A transformation plan.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Forestry manufacturing businesses, including sawmills, remanufacturing facilities, pulp and paper mills, and finished wood product manufacturers.
- Forestry service companies involved in harvesting lumber or forestry transportation.
Who is not eligible
- Forestry service companies cannot access Transformation support.
- Businesses in the softwood lumber mills or remanufacturing sectors that have obtained support through the Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program cannot access Liquidity support.
Eligible expenses
- Working capital and operational cash-flow needs, including regularly scheduled monthly debt or lease payments.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Transformation support is not available to forestry service companies, such as companies harvesting lumber and forestry transportation.
- Businesses in the softwood lumber mills or remanufacturing sectors that have obtained support through the Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program cannot access Liquidity support.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada.
Selection criteria
- Direct or indirect negative material impact from U.S. tariffs, related uncertainty, or the economic downturn.
- Viable before the tariff measures.
- Financial stress or financial decline, depending on the forestry segment.
- Relevant forestry activity and revenue share for service businesses.
How to apply
- Start your request online and tell BDC about your challenges and business to see if you’re eligible.
- Speak with an expert to assess your needs with an advisor.
- If approved, BDC will send you a loan offer based on your financial needs and capabilities.
- For Transformation support, share information about your business, projects, and challenges.
- BDC will contact you to better understand your situation and how its consulting services can help.
- BDC will put together a proposal including solutions, deliverables, budget, and timelines; no financial commitment is made until you sign off.
Processing and Agreement
- After you complete the online application form, a BDC representative will contact you to request additional documentation.
- If approved, BDC will send you a loan offer based on your financial needs and capabilities.
- For Transformation support, BDC Advisory Services will review the transformation plan to ensure it meets the required best practices before financing is approved.
- For transformation applications, BDC will put together a proposal including solutions, deliverables, budget, and timelines, and there is no financial commitment until you sign off.
Additional information
- Businesses with revenues below $2M can contact Canada’s Regional Development Agencies to identify regionally tailored funding and support programs.
- If you have already obtained support through the Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program, you may still be eligible for Transformation support, but not Liquidity support.
- More detailed documents could be required depending on your specific sub-sector.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the BDC Forestry Support Program Program
What is the BDC Forestry Support Program?
BDC's Forestry Support Program helps Canadian forestry manufacturers and service companies manage trade uncertainty and economic pressure with financing and advisory support, offering up to $25 million depending on the option. It can support working capital, debt or lease payments, automation, AI, equipment upgrades, and strategic growth projects such as partnerships or mergers.
How much funding can be received?
BDC Forestry Support Program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $25,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the BDC Forestry Support Program program?
To be eligible for the BDC Forestry Support Program program, you must:
Headquartered in Canada
At least 3 years in operation
Annual revenues of $2M or more
What expenses are eligible under BDC Forestry Support Program?
Maintaining operations and business continuity during trade uncertainty.
Supporting working capital needs for liquidity.
Modernizing forestry manufacturing operations.
Investing in automation, AI, and equipment upgrades.
Exploring partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions.
Who can I contact for more information about the BDC Forestry Support Program?
You can contact Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) or by phone at 1-877-232-2269.
Where is the BDC Forestry Support Program available?
The BDC Forestry Support Program program is available across Canada.
Is the BDC Forestry Support Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
BDC Forestry Support Program is a Expert Advice