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Canadian Wood Council Applauds Ontario’s Decision on Mid-Rise

 Monday, October 13, 2014

CWCThe Canadian Wood Council (CWC) and Wood WORKS! Ontario are pleased with the announcement made today by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, MPP Ted McMeekin, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, MPP Bill Mauro, and the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, MPP Michael Gravelle, that Ontario will enact code changes to allow the use of
wood-frame construction in buildings of up to six-storeys.
Wood mid-rise construction is a safe, strong and sophisticated building solution. “We are very happy with the code changes announced today for Ontario,” says Michael Giroux, President of the Canadian Wood Council.
“These changes are the result of a lengthy, carefully considered process that involved a great deal of consultation and input from all stakeholders.” Marianne Berube, Executive Director for Ontario Wood WORKS!, agrees and explains that “the changes to
Ontario’s Building Code offer designers new opportunities for innovation that will help municipalities meet urban densification plans and create more affordable housing options. We look forward to the new mid-rise buildings that will be created as a result of these changes.”
Changes to the Ontario Building Code are similar to ones made to the British Columbia Building Code in 2009, which had an immediate positive impact on the local economy. Now Ontario builders have the opportunity to use wood in mid-rise construction – a viable, code-compliant construction option that meets the safety, health, accessibility, as well as fire and structural requirements of the code.
“It is encouraging to see the province adopt changes to the Ontario Building Code that will permit wood-frame  construction for mid-rise buildings.” Explains Mayor David Canfield of Kenora and President of the  Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA). “This is going to have a positive impact on rebuilding the  forest industry across Northern Ontario.”
Alan Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing and President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities says, “The construction of six-storey wood-frame buildings will increase the demand for Ontario wood products,  benefitting the forestry industry and more broadly, the northern economy. A thriving forestry sector will help  to sustain jobs, create new ones, and encourage investment and innovation into new processes and
technologies – all while using a renewable, environmentally-friendly resource.”

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