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ShareTable of ContentsContentQuick FactsQuotesAdditional ResourcesRelated TopicsMedia ContactsContentKITCHENER -- The Ontario government has released the to increase the manufacturing and use of high-quality made-in-Ontario wood building products. To support the governments plan to protect Ontario, the use of prefabricated and modular wood-based building materials, known as advanced wood construction, will help build more homes faster and create a more resilient forestry sector in response to U.S. tariffs by attracting investment, increasing revenues and providing economic opportunities that create and sustain local jobs. As our government delivers on its plan to protect and build Ontario, this action plan will help promote and prioritize wood-based building with made-in-Ontario wood construction products, said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. Advanced wood construction is a new opportunity that can help get more homes built faster and build a stronger, more competitive forest sector that can withstand whatever comes our way.Locally made mass timber and wood construction can be used to build modular and prefabricated buildings, including mid-rise and tall multi-family homes and a wide variety of commercial and industrial buildings. Advanced wood construction can complete projects up to 50 per cent faster and cut costs by up to 20 per cent, making it essential to achieving the governments goal of building more homes.The focuses on four objectives: Support initiatives that create awareness and encourage the use advanced wood construction Identify and remove barriers in codes, standards and regulations for the use of advanced wood construction Stimulate innovation and investment in advanced manufacturing facilities to grow Ontarios advanced wood construction sector Demonstrate and display examples of advanced wood construction to instill confidence in adopting new Ontario wood building productsWere harnessing forest sector innovation to enhance how we build our homes, businesses and communities, said Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products. Our government recognizes the potential of advanced wood construction - and our action plan is bringing its benefits to Ontario.To date, Ontario has committed over 13 million to enhance the provinces advanced wood construction capacity, including: Over 8 million to establish and scale up production at Element5: Ontarios first state-of-the-art, fully-automated manufacturer of cross-laminated timber Close to 3M for wood-based construction education, research and training led by organizations such as the Canadian Wood Council and Canadian Wood Construction Research Network, to support building with wood Over 1.5 million towards the construction of educational buildings incorporating mass timber at George Brown College and the University of Toronto Over 750,000 to support FPInnovations research and testing of wood-based construction materials and development of technical resources Over 300,000 to help the University of Torontos Mass Timber Institute develop ways to use more underused wood for advanced wood construction and study modular housing deployment to maximize environmental and economic benefitReleasing the advances Ontarios Forest Sector Strategy commitments to increase wood use, grow markets and encourage forest sector innovation. To learn more about the plan, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/advanced-wood-construction-action-planQuick Facts The complements the governments ongoing actions to increase wood-based building, including supporting building code amendments, developing technical resources and engaging with fire services, insurers and other key stakeholders to build acceptance of wooden construction. A draft of the was posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario for review and public comment in July 2024. The forest sector generated 21.6 billion in revenue from the sale of manufactured goods and services in 2023 and supported 128,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2024.QuotesCoupled with the acceleration of traditional construction methods, advanced wood construction presents an opportunity to leverage Ontarios leading solid wood manufacturing facilities to address housing availability and affordability challenges. Members of the Ontario Forest Industries Association are excited to work with Premier Ford, Minister Harris, and Minister Holland to implement the Advanced Wood Construction Action Plan, drive change, strengthen domestic supply chains, and provide economic growth opportunities for all Ontarians.- Ian Dunn, R.P.F.President & CEO, Ontario Forest Industries Association Kitchener is pleased to see the Ontario government promoting the use of lumber in construction while also embracing innovative and sustainable building practices that will help us to achieve our mutual housing goals and build a thriving economy. This initiative, coupled with other investments from the province of Ontario, is helping Kitchener and builders in our community exceed its housing targets while protecting local jobs and accelerating economic activity.- Berry VrbanovicMayor of KitchenerRESCON is pleased to support the Government of Ontarios latest initiative to make more housing available in our province. Effectively meeting the challenge of housing affordability and supply requires investment in all forms of housing options including cross-laminated timber, a major component of advanced wood construction. The Advanced Wood Construction Action Plan will help build homes faster and we congratulate the province for this strategy to improve housing affordability.- Richard LyallPresident, Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON)It is inspiring and deeply meaningful to me to see the Province step forward with such a clear and confident endorsement of advanced wood construction--a technology whose time has truly come. This strategic investment supports a smarter, more resilient approach to building in Ont
