Member Article

On May 28, 2008, the Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife, Claude Béchard, presented the first Government strategy for the lumber use in construction. Entitled “Agir aujourd’hui pour demain” (Acting today for tomorrow). This initiative has the goal of a threefold increase by 2014 in the use of wood products in the non-residential sector and in construction of multi-family dwellings, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 600,000 tonnes. It will also enable the Quebec industry to develop expertise in this sector and maximize the value of forest products.

To implement the strategy, the Government plans to invest a sum of $16 million. It also undertakes to promote the use of wood as an appearance material in projects for construction and renovation of public buildings. The Minister intends to intensify his assistance to the development of technologies and products by supporting efforts in design, research and development of new products and processes meeting the needs raised by increased use of wood products. A sum of $6 million will serve to conduct a campaign to promote wood as a high ecological value material. Finally, the Government plans to encourage the development of tools to increase lumber use by supporting the action plan of the Centre d’expertise en construction commerciale en bois.