Monday, April 27 – The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) hosted “Building Resiliency: The Future of Northwestern Ontario’s Forests” on April 23, 2026, as part of the three-day Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) 2026 Conference & Annual General Meeting.
The featured industry panel brought together leaders and partners to explore the future of Northwestern Ontario’s forest sector, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, economic opportunity, and how communities can adapt to a changing resource landscape.
Jamie Taylor, CEO of Thunder Bay CEDC, served as host and moderator for the panel alongside Scott Jackson, CEO for the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE), helping guide an important conversation on one of the region’s most foundational industries and its evolving role in supporting long-term economic resilience.
“The forest sector has long been a cornerstone of Northwestern Ontario’s economy, and this conversation is about looking ahead to what comes next,” said Jamie Taylor, CEO of Thunder Bay CEDC. “By bringing together industry voices, innovators, and municipal leaders, we can explore how our region continues to adapt, strengthen supply chains, and build resiliency for the future.”
“We were very excited to be a part of this session – Ontario’s forest sector, like many sectors, is going through a transition, however it has a very strong future, said Scott Jackson, CEO of CRIBE. “A successful transition isn’t just about developing novel and innovative products, it’s also about ensuring we have strong anchor mills and a solid foundation that we can build upon. The panel session provided an opportunity to touch on all these key discussion points.”
As part of the broader NOMA 2026 conference, the session aligns with regional conversations around resource development, labour attraction, infrastructure, and community growth. It also reinforced Thunder Bay’s role as a hub for industry collaboration, innovation, and economic leadership across Northwestern Ontario.
CEDC is proud to support meaningful dialogue that helps municipalities, industry, and regional partners work together to strengthen one of Northwestern Ontario’s key economic drivers.
