CANADA 'FIRM' How it Works

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The CANADA ‘FIRM’ Challenge will function as a national, prize-style competition designed to catalyze rapid market diversification for Canada’s forest sector. Communities across the country will be invited to apply, and up to 100 will be selected as awardees.

Awardees will receive the support and resources necessary to secure a BDO Zone Rating—based on the newly issued Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards for BDO Zone Assessment (CSA TS-005:25)—and the means to promote that rating globally to attract investment and new markets.

1. Application Phase

Forest-based communities, economic development organizations, Indigenous groups, and cooperative supplier groups will submit applications demonstrating community readiness, availability of sustainable biomass, and commitment to diversifying markets through bio-based manufacturing.

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2. Selection of Awardees

A competitive evaluation process will select up to 100 communities. Selection will be based on:

Evidence of surplus biomass and supply chain resilience
Infrastructure capacity and site readiness
Commitment from local suppliers (e.g., letters of support, cooperative structures)
Strategic need, including regions most impacted by tariffs and underserved or Indigenous communities

3. Award Package

Instead of cash prizes, awardees will gain access to a comprehensive support package that includes:

BDO Zone Rating: A standards-based certification (CSA TS-005) demonstrating the region’s biomanufacturing readiness.
Promotion and Outreach: National and international promotion of awarded BDO Zones to investors, project developers, and markets.
Technical Assistance: Direct support from Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC), Ecostrat, and coalition partners to strengthen biomass supply chains, infrastructure linkages, and project readiness.

4. Promotion and Support for New Market Development

Awarded communities will be showcased through the BDO Zone Markets Acceleration Centre (BDO-MAC)—a national support hub that will serve as the first point of contact for all inbound inquiries by project developers. The BDO-MAC will rapidly connect developers with the right BDO Zones, programs, resources, and expertise to accelerate forest market diversification and strengthen Canada’s bioeconomy.