Quebec Adopts Wood Construction Charter

Quebec has followed British Columbia's lead in trying to redefine wood's role within new construction projects. On 30 April 2013, a wood charter was adopted there, promoting the use of wood and potentially sidelining the roles of steel and concrete.

This Canadian wood charter has several clauses. For one, developers involved in government-funded construction programme must now take wood into account when considering which building materials to use.

In addition, while previously wooden constructions couldn't exceed four storeys in height, they can now go to six storeys.

Quebec Wood Charter

What's more, several factors are behind Quebec's wood charter move. Economic motives are key, especially given the recent decline of the lumber industry here. Fundamental, too, are the environmental benefits associated with wood-constructed houses, as highlighted by Quebec's Parti Québécois organisation.

According to the Parti Québécois, a single cubed-metre of wood can absorb one ton of CO2 and others, too, champion wood's eco-benefits over and above those of other construction materials.

Right now, wood features in barely one-fifth of Quebec's commercial constructions.

Wood Construction Charter

In light of the wood construction charter's adoption, Quebec Forest Industry Council market development director, Louis Poliquin, believes the wood industry can really expand itself among small businesses especially.

"This isn't about the government interfering in the choices of business," he stated in comments quoted by the Financial Post. "It's just rebalancing things a little bit to give wood more of a chance. And that's healthy for competition."

In related news, while the state of the housing market in Canada is still a concern for many, the Bank of Nova Scotia has pointed to a bit of cheer on the horizon. "We expect a GDP negative contraction in housing but not a collapse as interest rates are expected to remain low and immigration trends supportive", representatives explained in a statement made today. "This should prove a pleasant surprise compared to what some have feared."

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