Richard Cannings & Jagmeet Singh

Private members’ Bill S-222 that creates jobs, tackles climate change, adds value to natural resources and helps get around illegal foreign trade tariffs. [My bill] directs the Minister of Public Works to assess building materials for environmental benefits, including their carbon footprint, before approving design contracts for federal infrastructure projects. …I was inspired by the example of Structurlam in Penticton, a company that was leading the mass timber sector in North America. …Since then, Kalesnikoff Lumber has opened up a similar mass timber plant in South Slocan. …Earlier versions of the bill that singled out the use of wood were criticized by the cement industry, as they were developing new types of concrete that sequestered carbon dioxide as well. My bill avoids this by simply asking the Minister to use products that deliver environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration. And mass timber… is a good candidate for that quality.