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Local Council Supports Fedeli Wood Construction Bill

QUEEN’S PARK — Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli delivered a Members’ Statement in the Ontario Legislature today in support of Northern forestry based on a local council resolution.

Text of his statement is as follows:

Thank you, Speaker.

Last month, I introduced my Private Member’s Bill, Bill 169, the Ontario Forestry Revitalization Act, which would permit wood frame construction up to 14 storeys in height.

This is to accommodate two innovative projects here in Toronto being planned by George Brown College and the University of Toronto.

The council of Papineau-Cameron Township, in my riding, has passed a resolution in support of Bill 169.

They note that “by increasing the use of wood harvested in residential construction, it will help Northern Ontario by providing jobs, and will help Southern Ontario meet targets to reduce urban sprawl and reduce construction costs.”

As stated repeatedly over the years since introducing my first bill on this issue, it’s a win-win proposition for Ontario.

Papineau-Cameron Township council resolved that “Council supports Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli’s 14-Storey Wood Bill.”

It’s worth noting the federal government is currently accepting expressions of interest through its Green Construction Through Wood program for high-rise demonstration projects in Canada, so there is momentum here, Speaker.

I was very pleased when the government adopted my six-storey proposal in 2015, and look forward to further discussion on Bill 169. 

Thank you very much.

Video of Fedeli’s statement can be found online here: https://youtu.be/YfRPVbOUWvQ