Province aims to improve digital forest inventory tools to support investment, sustainability and long-term sector growth
The Ontario government is investing more than $14 million to modernize the province’s forest inventory systems, a move aimed at improving the competitiveness of the forestry sector while supporting job creation and sustainable resource management across the province.
Announced Monday in Sault Ste. Marie by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the funding will be used to upgrade Ontario’s Forest Resources Inventory (FRI) Information Management System — the province’s central database for managed forest lands.
The investment forms part of Ontario’s broader Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector, a 10-year strategy designed to help forestry businesses adapt to global market pressures, improve productivity and protect employment in communities reliant on the industry.
Ontario’s forestry sector generates nearly $21 billion in annual revenue and supports approximately 155,000 jobs provincewide, making it one of the province’s most significant natural resource industries.
Province Shifts to Cloud-Based Forest Data Systems
Under the initiative, Ontario will work with Microsoft using Databricks technology to create modern digital tools capable of storing, processing and analysing large volumes of forestry information more efficiently.
The upgraded system will replace older inventory methods that relied heavily on static digital imagery stored on physical drives. Instead, the province plans to leverage advanced lidar technology, which uses laser-based remote sensing to generate detailed three-dimensional information about forests, terrain and vegetation.
Officials say the updated system will significantly improve the accuracy and accessibility of forest data, allowing companies and forest managers to make faster and more informed operational decisions.
“Ontario’s forest sector is a key economic driver that supports good-paying jobs and the workers and communities that depend on them across the province,” said Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products.
“As a leader in advanced forest inventory technology, Ontario is equipping industry with the data it needs to stay competitive, make faster decisions and establish the regulatory framework needed to support long-term growth.”
Advanced Lidar Technology to Improve Planning and Sustainability
According to the province, the new system will support the secure storage and analysis of more than 3,700 terabytes of lidar data through a cloud-based platform — a volume Ontario says is more than eight times larger than the data archive associated with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.
The data will not only support forestry operations but also contribute to broader natural resource management activities, including wildfire management, land-use planning, wildlife habitat analysis, critical minerals exploration and air quality monitoring.
Ontario’s forests cover roughly 70.5 million hectares, representing nearly two-thirds of the province’s landmass, about 20 per cent of Canada’s forested area and approximately two per cent of global forests.
The province is legally required under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act to provide updated forest resource inventories for Ontario’s 39 forest management units every 10 years.
Mike Harris, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources, said the investment is intended to reduce operational burdens on forestry businesses while strengthening long-term sustainability.
Government Says Better Data Will Support Industry Confidence
“This investment puts better tools in the hands of the people who manage and depend on Ontario’s forests,” Harris said.
“By investing in this innovation, we’re giving the forestry sector clearer, more reliable information to plan ahead, reduce operational burden and make confident decisions that will drive growth and protect the land and resources Ontarians depend on, today and for generations to come.”
Industry Groups Welcome Investment in Forest Inventory Modernization
Industry stakeholders and forestry companies welcomed the announcement, describing accurate and up-to-date inventory information as essential to both sustainable forest management and long-term investment planning.
GreenFirst Forest Products President Michel Lessard said the investment would help strengthen sustainable forestry practices across Ontario.
“GreenFirst welcomes Ontario’s continued commitment to sustainable forestry and innovation through this important investment in the Forest Resources Inventory system. Access to accurate and timely forest information benefits industry, government and the public alike, while helping ensure Ontario’s forests continue to be managed responsibly for future generations.”
Columbia Forest Products also supported the initiative, noting the importance of reliable data for mill operations and supply chain stability.
“Ontario’s reputation for sustainable forestry and high-quality forest products is built on strong public-private partnerships,” said Dan Bowes.
“Accurate, high-resolution data is essential for both a competitive forestry sector and sustainable management.”
The Ontario Forest Industries Association said the investment comes at a critical time as the province prepares for its next round of forest management planning.
“Inventory is the foundation of sustainable forest management,” said Ian Dunn.
“As we approach the next round of forest management planning, the need for the most up-to-date, cutting-edge data has never been greater.”
Domtar and Microsoft Canada also endorsed the project, describing the upgraded digital infrastructure as essential for supporting long-term sustainability, innovation and growth within Ontario’s forestry sector.