/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Minister Olszewski to announce federal support to advance innovation and competitiveness in Northern Alberta's forest sector/

PEACE RIVER, AB, Aug. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), will announce federal funding to support Northern Alberta's forestry sector that is facing significant tariff related challenges.

Minister Olszewski to announce federal support to advance innovation and competitiveness in Northern Alberta’s forest sector

Joining Minister Olszewski will be Todd Lowen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, Government of Alberta; Terry Ungarian, Reeve, County of Northern Lights; Shelly Shannon, Mayor, Peace River; Juan Carlos Bueno, President and CEO, Mercer International; and Brett Henkle, Co-Founder & Senior Vice President of Business Development, Svante.

This event is open to media and speakers will be available for questions following the announcement.

Date: 
Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Time: 
2:00 p.m. MT

Location:
Mercer Peace River
Woodlands Building
#1 Pulp Mill Site Road, Pulp Mill Site
Peace River, AB T8S 1V7
Map
The mill is approximately 25 km north of Peace River.

When driving to the site from Peace River, take the second left into Mercer Peace River (turning North off Highway 986). There is a sign for the Woodlands Building on the right side of the road visible immediately after turning off the highway. The Google Maps link above and here will direct you to the Woodlands Building.

An optional tour will be available for media following remarks. This tour will be approximately one hour: participants will not be able to depart early. Tour participants must have long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) listed below is required and will be available for tour participants to borrow:

• • Steel-toed boots
  • Hard hat
  • Safety glasses
  • Hearing protection
  • High-visibility vest
  • Gloves
  • Respirator

If preferred, personal CSA-approved gear will be permitted.

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Toll-free number: 1-888-338-9378
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388

SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Brennan Bunko, Communications Advisor, Prairies Economic Development Canada, [email protected], 587-338-3690; Soraya Lemur, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, [email protected], 343-574-6781