Government Promotes Wood for Construction, Heating
The Province is making wood heating and construction a priority in public buildings. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
The Province is making wood construction and heating a priority in public buildings.
All departments have been directed to look for every opportunity to use mass timber, wood pellets, biomass, biofuels and other products made with wood that is leftover from sustainable harvesting and sawmilling.
“Now more than ever, we want to use local products for building and heating in Nova Scotia,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. “That’s why government is leading by example and using more wood products in our own buildings. It’s one of many steps our government is taking to make Nova Scotia more self-reliant and energy secure and to grow our economy and create jobs through innovation in our forestry sector.”
Departments will prioritize wood products in new construction, renovations and conversions from oil heat. They will also make it a priority where applicable in projects that are partially or completely funded by the government.
This focus on using wood products aligns with the Nova Scotia Loyal program, reduces reliance on imports and enhances export markets. It will support the province’s forestry sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the province move to a low-carbon economy.
Quotes:
“This will produce economic benefit for Nova Scotian families while we increase the use of local, sustainable products. Building and heating with wood will produce jobs and reduce our carbon footprint. It’s a great way to support our forestry sector and take charge of our low-carbon future.”
— Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources
“The Province’s commitment to prioritize using wood in public buildings is an important step that aligns economic prosperity with environmental stewardship. It creates a powerful circular economy supporting sustainable forestry practices and Nova Scotia’s softwood lumber industry by stimulating demand for high-value local wood products. That includes using high-performing, low-carbon mass timber to build the essential infrastructure Nova Scotians rely on. At a time when supply chain security is paramount, this is a clear commitment to investing in our own resources and communities.”
— Patrick Crabbe, President and CEO, Mass Timber Company
Quick Facts:
- 20 public buildings, including schools and hospitals, already use wood heat and two more are in development
- the Province is updating design and procurement policies to prioritize the use of wood products in new buildings and renovations
- the Province will initiate research and help the bioeconomy sector advance innovation with wood byproducts
- the Province will soon launch a procurement to secure wood-heating systems for more public buildings
- making wood use a priority delivers on a forest practices review commitment to make good use of sustainably harvested biomass
Additional Resources:
Use of wood backgrounder: https://novascotia.ca/tran/publications/wood-construction-heating-public-buildings-en.pdf
An Independent Review of Forest Practices in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestry/Forest_Review/Lahey_FP_Review_Report_ExecSummary.pdf