[Ottawa, April 10, 2024] Today the BC Ministry of Housing made an important announcement regarding mass timber construction in BC. Following an intensive national review process, BC has expanded mass timber construction opportunities, with immediate effect, that enable Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC) for buildings up to 18 storeys high, and in more building types such as restaurants, shops, care facilities, and warehouses.
The Canadian Wood Council applauds BC’s code leadership. “These expanded provisions for mass timber will enhance the innovation already happening in the province, offering designers, developers, and municipalities the opportunity to pursue high performance, low-carbon wood construction in a wider range of buildings,” said Rick Jeffery, President and CEO of the Canadian Wood Council. “The 18-storey EMTC provisions in particular have tremendous potential to strengthen the BC economy by using BC forest products and workers to build much needed affordable housing.”
As we look to the future of construction, mass timber stands out as a game-changer for sustainability and efficiency in taller and larger buildings. A shift to lower carbon construction methods is crucial as Canada prepares to build approximately 5.8 million new homes by 2030. Mass timber's capacity to accelerate construction timelines, with minimal on-site disruption, coupled with its significant environmental advantages, make it a perfect fit for meeting the considerable demand for new housing quickly and sustainably.
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About the Canadian Wood Council
The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is Canada’s unifying voice for the wood products industry. As a national federation of associations, our members represent hundreds of manufacturers across the country. Our mission is to support our members by accelerating market demand for wood products and championing responsible leadership through excellence in codes, standards, and regulations. We also deliver technical support and knowledge transfer for the construction sector through our market leading WoodWorks program.