Bill to Help Northern Forestry Moves Forward

QUEEN’S PARK – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is very pleased that his Private Members’ Bill, Bill 13, the Ontario Forestry Industry Revitalization Act, passed Second Reading in the Ontario Legislature today with all-party support.

“This is a huge step forward towards providing a much-needed boost to the Northern Ontario economy,” said Fedeli.  “I am pleased my colleagues at Queen’s Park see merit in this legislation, but more work still lies ahead at the Finance and Economic Affairs Committee.” The bill aims to amend the Ontario Building Code to allow mid-rise wood frame construction up to six storeys instead of the current four storeys. It could create a larger domestic market for wood products which would boost the forestry industry in Northern Ontario, while helping Southern Ontario meet targets for reducing urban sprawl, noted Fedeli, who also pointed out that more than 60 lumber mills and some 10,000 direct forestry jobs have disappeared in recent years. The same legislation made its way through Committee last year, but died on the Order Paper awaiting Third Reading when the Legislature was prorogued. “Support for this legislation and this type of construction option is growing, and with National Building Code changes coming, the timing is perfect for Ontario to move forward on six-storey wood buildings,” said Fedeli. “We can reduce the carbon footprint and increase the energy efficiency of mid-rise buildings while meeting or surpassing fire safety standards,” Fedeli added. A number of stakeholders have expressed support for Bill 13, including the Ontario Home Builders Association, FONOM, NOMA, and the Canadian Wood Council. The Ontario forest industry supports 200,000 jobs and 100 forest-dependent communities. Video of Fedeli’s address to the Legislature on Bill 13 can be found here:     http://youtu.be/SaD4tM4qdjQ