Recently, Julie Dabrussin, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson, announced a $3.9 million federal contribution to the University of Toronto for the construction of a large 14-story timber academic and research tower on its St. George's campus, according to Canadian News.
It is reported that the donation comes from the Green Building Through Wood (GCWood) program.
In recent years, Canada has adopted innovative building materials, including large amounts of wood, in buildings across the country to reduce the impact of climate change through enhanced construction practices, reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry, while creating good jobs in the Canadian supply chain, including in the field of sustainable forestry.
According to reports, the new building, with its innovative design and creative timber structure, will provide a new creative workspace for several colleges. Notably, the building was constructed almost entirely from engineered timber produced and processed in Canada.
Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said: "The Government of Canada's Green Buildings Through Wood program is supporting the construction industry to use more sustainable Canadian materials. The University of Toronto's academic wooden tower project is one of many examples of innovative technologies used to build resilient and low-carbon buildings while preventing carbon emissions. ”
"The University of Toronto's Academic Wooden Tower is a historic development that symbolizes where we are headed: a cleaner future. Canadian workers use Canadian materials sustainably to build more affordable, sustainable communities. The Government of Canada is pleased to help build the tower in Toronto. Julie Dabrussin, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said.
Meric Gertler, President of the University of Toronto, said that as a global university, the University of Toronto has the responsibility and opportunity to show the world how to actively shape the urban environment. The University of Toronto is capitalizing on Canada's leading low position in forestry and timber technology to demonstrate a better way to build while providing staff and students with data that provides a top-notch space for their research, teaching, learning, and community engagement.
It is reported that it is not only the University of Toronto that uses wood to build academic wooden towers, but the construction industry is transforming across Canada. From conservation to sustainability, Canada's forest economy supports many communities and innovates in timber construction to meet the growing global demand for more sustainable building materials.