Re: Advanced Wood…

Re: Advanced Wood Construction Action Plan

The Canadian Wood Council would like to thank the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Forest Economics and Business Branch for the opportunity to comment on the draft release of the Advanced Wood Construction Action Plan.

The Canadian Wood Council, through its WoodWorks program, actively participated in the housing supply forums held in 2023 and 2024, providing valuable input during the development phase. We believe that the draft Advanced Wood Construction Action Plan accurately reflects the insights gained during these forums and offers a robust framework for building a successful strategy to advance wood construction in Ontario.

Building on the Government of Ontario’s progressive commitment to providing wood solutions to the manufacturing and construction sectors, the AWCAP provides opportunities to the value-added supply chain, with a focus on expanding housing supply through off-site manufacturing and industrialized construction methods. This strategic shift to increase prefabrication will create jobs and economic growth in two ways. First, by creating economic opportunities for existing manufacturers to expand their operations and, second, by fostering a more favourable climate for economic investment in new ventures, particularly those prioritizing more sustainable methods of housing supply.

The key objectives and proposed actions based on education, workforce training, research, codes and standards progression, innovation, and advanced manufacturing techniques match the gaps in the marketplace that our own teams have identified and engage with on a regular basis. The Action Plan progresses the province’s focus on innovation and investment in ways that will create jobs and opportunities along the supply chain. This work will not only help maximize the value Ontario’s forest resources, but also rightfully position their use as a key strategy for addressing the challenges of climate change and de-carbonizing housing supply.