Ontario Construction News staff writer
Canada’s forestry industry is urging the federal government to invest in the sector to help it grow to $1.2 billion in market scale by 2030, doubling to $2.4 billion by 2035.
Scaling Canada’s share of that growth, in both domestic use and exports, requires co-ordinated efforts to address three critical action areas that have been laid out in this roadmap.
The Mass Timber Roadmap, commissioned by the Transition Accelerator, found the country’s mass timber industry has the potential to transform green construction and drive economic growth across the country.
“The mass timber sector provides a perfect example of how Canada can add value to its primary resources through innovative technologies and advanced skills,” said Derek Eaton, director of Future Economy at The Transition Accelerator in a news release.
“If we act strategically and quickly, we have the opportunity to build an industry that reduces emissions, addresses urgent needs, and positions Canada to win in emerging global value chains.”
The roadmap suggests three key actions to achieve the targets set out: public-private collaboration, standardization and skills development.
The public-private collaboration includes the development of a comprehensive policy package to enhance the value of Canada’s forest resources while building domestic capacity along the supply chain, the standardization of building archeotypes, wood specifications and connectors throughout the supply chain, and implementing a robust skills development plan that encompasses all aspects of the supply chain.
Speakers at the June 14 Parliament Hill announcement included Derek Nighbor, president and CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), Kate Lindsay, senior vice-president and Chief Sustainability Officer, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and Rick Jeffery, president and CEO, Canadian Wood Council (CWC).