$1.2 million in funding announced for four mass-timber projects in B.C.

An artist’s rendering of a new housing building on the University of Victoria campus, which includes a 600-seat dining hall: (Province of B.C. / Flickr)

British Columbia is helping to build four housing and infrastructure projects using mass timber, as the province announces an action plan to grow the sector.

Speaking at the University of Victoria on Thursday, Innovation Minister Ravi Kahlon says the institution has benefited from previous government funding of $128 million toward the construction a student housing facility and dining hall using mass timber.

The projects for the province's new mass timber demonstration program range from multi-unit homes to mixed-use commercial and industrial buildings.

Kahlon says that large-diameter trees are not needed to make mass timber and instead can be built by fastening together smaller pieces of wood with glue, dowels or nails.

He says mass timber can match or exceed the strength of concrete and steel while reducing carbon emissions by up to 45 per cent.

The minister says B.C. could have as many as 10 new mass timber manufacturers by 2035, which could fill an anticipated 4,400 jobs in manufacturing, construction and design.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2022.