Forest Sector Backs City of Ottawa Commitment on Green Construction

OTTAWA, Oct. 26, 2011 /CNW/ - The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) applauds the Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, and the City for their decision to create incentives for green construction.  Watson made the announcement during a speech outlining the City's 2012 Budget proposal.

"The Green Express Lane policy to speed up building permits is already being used in other North American municipalities. It's a sound way to inspire builders to construct more sustainable buildings and minimize waste from construction activities," said Isabelle Des Chênes, Vice-president, Market Relations and Communications at FPAC.

The Canadian forest products industry is known for its green credentials, including progressive forest management policies, the highest amount of certified forests in the world and the landmark Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement reached with environmental groups.  The sector is also working to extract more value from every tree including bio-energy, bio-chemicals and bio-products of the highest environmental quality.  In addition, FPAC is working towards improved diversion of wood from landfills across North America through its Don't Waste Wood Initiative (dontwastewood.ca).

The Mayor said the green criteria will include energy efficiency, water conservations, minimizing waste at construction sites, and reusing material from deconstruction and demolition.

"This makes sense both environmentally and economically," said Des Chênes. "Improving wood waste diversion will further improve the environmental profile of Canadian wood, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, save valuable landfill space, and provide economic stimulus for communities that find ways to reuse materials traditionally looked upon as waste."

FPAC provides a voice for Canada's wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $57-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada's GDP and is one of Canada's largest employers operating in hundreds of communities and providing 240,000 direct jobs across the country.