A Mildmay lumber company is getting a big expansion boost from the Ontario Government.
Bernie McGlynn Lumber Ltd. is a family-owned hardwood sawmill in Mildmay, founded in 1964. The company produces dimensional lumber, hardwood flooring, doors, trim, live-edge slabs, firewood and mulch.
The Province says it is investing $1.6 million to protect forestry workers by more than doubling the company’s production space, increasing output by 47 per cent, creating five new jobs and supporting 13 existing positions.
It says it’s part of its plan to protect Ontario forestry workers and businesses, by making strategic investments to help the forest sector adapt, compete and grow in the face of U.S. tariffs.
Bernie and Doreen McGlynn say in a statement, “We would like to thank the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program for selecting our project to help us achieve our advancement in the manufacturing of forest products and advancement into thermal modification of our Canadian wood species for indoor and outdoor use. Special thank you to Mayor Mark Goetz and his staff at the Municipality of South Bruce for their support and working with us on this project.”
Bernie McGlynn Lumber is embarking on a $5.3 million project to construct a new 30,000-square-foot facility and install upgraded equipment, including a first-in-Ontario thermal-treating kiln system and a double-bladed bandsaw. This new technology will help the company produce higher-quality wood products more efficiently and support the launch of new products, including siding, decking and fencing, that can compete with composite and plastic alternatives.
The provincial government says, once complete, the project will help strengthen forestry supply chains across the region and is expected to increase log purchases by 50 per cent. They say an increased demand for locally harvested wood will support harvesting, hauling and trucking operations while bringing more Ontario-made wood products to market.
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson says, “Bernie McGlynn Lumber has been an important employer and community partner in the Municipality of South Bruce for generations. This investment will enable innovation, help create new jobs, support the local forestry sector, and strengthen the region’s economy while ensuring Ontario-made wood products continue to thrive.”
The provincial government says, as of April 2026, close to $98 million in funding has been approved under the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program, securing an added $540 million in external investments to reinforce forest sector productivity.
Its ‘Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector’ sets out a 10-year plan to maintain Ontario’s position as a G7 leader in making and selling wood products. The forest sector is an essential industry, generating close to $21 billion in business revenue and supporting close to 155,000 jobs.
Yesterday I was in Mildmay with Minister Lisa Thompson to announce a $1.6 million investment in Bernie McGlynn Lumber — a multi-generational family business that has been creating jobs and supporting South Bruce for more than 60 years.
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— Honourable Kevin Holland (@KevinHollandMPP) June 10, 2026