OTTAWA – On Wednesday, a Senate bill, originally introduced by NDP MP Richard Cannings, that would encourage the use of more environmentally sustainable materials in public buildings, passed unanimously in the House of Commons and will now become law.
Bill S-222 requires the government to assess all building materials’ environmental benefits, including their carbon footprint, before approving their use in government buildings. It was originally inspired in part by the example of Structurlam, a leading producer of mass timber products in North America based in Penticton, BC.
“I’m happy to see that the policy I first presented as a Private Members’ Bill in 2017 has finally passed through parliament with the help of my colleague Senator Diane Griffin,” said Cannings. “Not only does this policy help protect our environment and meet our climate targets, but it directs the government to consider alternative options for building products – which will bring more business to local industries.”
Cannings’ bill died in the Senate because of procedural issues before Parliament ended in June 2019.
“I’m thrilled that, after a few years of this policy falling on the backburner for the Liberals, it has finally passed and local forest sector workers will benefit,” added Cannings. “New Democrats are going to keep fighting to make government procurement policies bring better-paying work to our local communities, and for measures that support a greener economy.”