Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division CanBio Annual Conference, The Bioeconomy Horizon, Sept 10, 2014 Bill Thornton, Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Development Division NDD Vision The Northern Development Division supports the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines’ vision of a Northern Ontario economy that is healthy, competitive and sustainable. As the lead Ministry for the North, MNDM works to make Northern Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous. Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division 2 Growth Plan for Northern Ontario  The 2011 Plan identified that economic development initiatives should be undertaken to grow and diversify a number of existing and emerging priority sectors.  As a government wide policy document, it ensures working in collaboration with partner ministries to identify opportunities for developing the bioeconomy, including:  innovative uses of forestry biomass; and  collaboration between the forestry, chemical, energy, plastics and automotive industries. Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division 3 Trade, Investment and Marketing (TIM) Unit  MNDM, in partnership with other ministries, is the lead in identifying opportunities for developing the bioeconomy  Conducts corporate calls at sector events internationally with leading and targeted bioproduct (fuels, chemicals, materials) firms  Facilitates business-to-business meetings between developing wood pellet manufacturers and buyers.  Actively promotes Ontario’s value proposition including availability of secure and sustainably managed forest resources.  Enables introductions between potential investors and Ontario fibre holders/forest industry development staff. Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division 4 Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)  NOHFC is a Crown corporation and development agency of the Ontario government that invests in northern businesses and municipalities.  New recently launched programming gives preference to projects in sectors identified in the Growth Plan including the bioeconomy that will create jobs through investment in Northern Ontario.  Of particular note and relevance to our investment attraction efforts is the new Northern Business Opportunity Program - New Investment Projects. Funding through this program is targeted at businesses that currently do not have a presence in Ontario. Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division 5 Developments In Northern Ontario: Observations  Development of sector slower than some anticipated  Globally, much focus initially on converting food feedstocks versus nonfood feedstocks such as wood  Breaking down wood into its various components is not easy but several bioproduct firms arriving at commercially viable technology  Feedstock costs in Ontario high relative to competing jurisdictions such as USA  Access to fibre can be difficult for new entrants to Ontario  Forest industry in Ontario lacks capacity to delve deep into new business lines and taking cautious approach  Firms exploring development options globally and searching for locations with favourable policy and regulatory environments Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division 6 Developments In Northern Ontario: Observations  Despite pace of development, encouraging developments include:  Significant investments and commitments to establishing wood pellet facilities in Northern Ontario  Opportunities for further investments based on OPG announced commitments (e.g. Thunder Bay conversion)  Several CRIBE supported projects including FPInnovations Lignin Extraction facility and Technology Centre in Thunder Bay and GreenField sugar extraction technology being demonstrated at AV Terrace Bay Inc.  Our forest sustainability message is resonating with bioproduct firms  Partner ministries exploring opportunities to stimulate bioenergy development at community/institutional scale. Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division 7 Going Forward  Continued engagement of leading bioproduct firms by MNDM in partnership with MEDEI investment attraction representatives around world and MNRF.  Continue to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing with partner ministries  Support MNRF policy initiatives (e.g. Supporting Biomass Heat Project) that enable sector development in Northern Ontario.  Recognition that the bioeconomy is an emerging sector relative to others and monitor developments to determine how government can support further investment in the sector Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division 8 Contact Information Looking at making investments in Ontario’s bioeconomy? Let us help Todd Eastman Noam Sugarman Trade & Investment Specialist Trade & Investment Specialist [email protected] [email protected] Tel (705) 494-4081 Tel (705) 564-9068 Cell (705) 840-8623 Cell (705) 280-0436 Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Northern Development Division 9