In a significant move towards sustainable construction, the Government of Canada, in partnership with the Government of Quebec, has announced an $8.5 million investment in four groundbreaking projects aimed at promoting green construction in Quebec. This joint effort underscores a commitment to leveraging low-carbon Canadian wood, accelerating new building projects, and fostering economic growth while prioritizing environmental stewardship.
The Government of Canada is contributing over $4.7 million, while the Government of Quebec is matching this with $3.83 million. This collaborative approach not only supports forestry workers and creates jobs but also aligns with broader goals of increasing housing stock and reducing emissions. By championing the use of Canadian wood in construction, the initiative aims to strengthen local economies and communities without compromising environmental standards.
One of the key projects receiving funding is a $1 million grant from Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program and $1.33 million from Quebec’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests. This funding will support Les Chantiers Chibougamau Ltée in developing a four-storey, 20-unit residential mass timber building. The project will employ prefabrication and modular construction techniques, demonstrating how innovative wood-based products and technologies can deliver affordable housing, even in remote communities.
The project is a testament to the potential of mass timber construction, which not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also supports the forestry sector by creating new markets for Canadian timber. As Minister Jonathan Wilkinson of Energy and Natural Resources stated, “Developing new markets for Canadian timber not only supports forestry workers and creates jobs but also helps us achieve other goals — including more housing and lower emissions. By promoting the use of Canadian wood in construction, the Government of Canada is strengthening communities and local economies in Quebec without cutting corners on the environment.”
Another significant investment is the $2 million from NRCan’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program and $2.5 million from Quebec’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests. This funding will enable Les Chantiers Chibougamau Ltée to modernize production processes for finger-jointed lumber, glue-laminated, I-joists, and cross-laminated timber. By integrating artificial intelligence, the project aims to enhance the supply of value-added advanced wood construction products, further bolstering Canada’s position in the global market.
The economic and environmental benefits of these initiatives are clear. Frédéric Verreault, vice-president of Corporate Affairs at Les Chantiers Chibougamau Ltée, highlighted the importance of government support in driving innovation: “The fight against climate change and the critical contribution of wood materials to this chapter require new ways of doing things. The same is true of the economic context that drives the increased processing of softwood lumber. Going beyond the norm, both in construction systems and factories, results in financial pressure and risk taking for us. This is why the government’s support is essential in motivating us to invest now, and the outcomes are convincing.”
Additionally, Samcon Stanley Properties will receive $500,000 from NRCan’s GCWood program to develop the design for a 21-storey multi-unit residential building built from mass timber. This project will provide crucial data and insights into the feasibility of taller mass timber structures, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with sustainable construction materials.
The Cree First Nation of Waswanipi is also benefiting from this initiative, with a $1.2 million grant from NRCan’s GCWood program. This funding will support the construction of a two-storey low-rise community building that incorporates wood building technology. The design will preserve the historical culture of the Cree First Nation, ensuring that the building not only serves practical purposes but also honors the community’s heritage.
Tony Gull, CEO of Mishtuk Corporation, emphasized the cultural and economic significance of the project: “Designed based on historical elements by local Elders, the new commercial building located in the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi marks a significant move forward in the realization of the forest-to-form cycle in the Eeyou Itschee. The wood for the building was sourced from trees managed and harvested by Cree enterprises, then manufactured into advanced-engineered CLT and glue-laminated structural members. Constructed on budget and with marked construction efficiency by a local Cree construction company, the building is a true showpiece of the community. The intended purposes of the building are a grocery store on the main level, which will have a measured positive impact on the food quality and security within the community, and an upper floor with office space for local development corporation as well as other regional entities. We would like to expressly thank the NRCan GCWood team for their commitment to this project, and for allowing us the opportunity to demonstrate the cost, time and ecological value of building with wood.”
These projects