Mass Timber Action Plan

Last updated on July 17, 2024

Mass timber fabrication for the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna. Photographer: Agency Media, courtesy naturallywood.com.

The Mass Timber Action Plan is a clean, inclusive and carbon-friendly strategy. 

Last updated: April 7, 2022

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How the plan was developed

The Mass Timber Action Plan was developed in consultation with Indigenous leaders and major stakeholders in the forest product manufacturing, development and construction sector, 15 ministries across government and the Mass Timber Advisory Council.


The plan is focused on people, the economy and the climate

The Mass Timber Action Plan has seven objectives based on the three overarching planks focused on people, the economy and the climate. The plan also plays a key role in the StrongerBC Economic Plan

Plank 1: Develop mass timber as an innovative economic sector 

Demonstrate mass timber in action

  • B.C. is demonstrating leadership by using mass timber in public-sector buildings. This will provide designers, builders and others with real-world experience and lessons

Enhance and advance the system of technical tools and rules

  • As the mass timber sector develops, the regulatory system for buildings, including building codes and local government regulation, will keep evolving. As part of this action plan, we will work closely with industry and researchers to identify and overcome regulatory barriers and make technical resources more available

Catalyze construction sector innovation

  • B.C. will work with experts to identify low carbon building materials, smart design choices, and more efficient construction practices. This will help modernize the building process for all materials

Celebrate B.C.’s high-performance building success

  • B.C.’s strengths and achievements in high-performance buildings are well known within the sector. Celebrating and sharing our success will make mass timber more visible. This will help increase demand, attract new investment and strengthen exports

Plank 2: Maximize mass timber’s benefits for people 

Expand mass timber education and prepare the workforce

  • A strong, competitive mass timber sector needs the right people with the right sets of skills. B.C. will collaborate across governments and industries to create the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for the current and future markets

Strengthen inclusive, sustainable economic development

  • Growing mass timber is a critical part of our work to build a strong, sustainable economy that benefits everyone. Mass timber is good for people, communities and the environment because it generates more value, jobs and opportunities from every tree we harvest

Plank 3: Support a more sustainable, low carbon future

Amplify climate action with low carbon building materials

  • Most work to date on making buildings cleaner has focused on reducing emissions from operations, like heating and cooling. The next step is to focus on emissions from building materials – including how they’re made and how they’re used at a building’s end of life. B.C. will work with industry and others to develop and improve low carbon building materials

I have questions

Have questions about mass timber? Contact the Office of Mass Timber Implementation.

Mail

Office of Mass Timber Implementation
PO Box 9803 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9W1