Summary#
This bill changes the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act. It tells the Minister to consider cuts to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other environmental benefits when planning federal construction, maintenance, and repair work. It also lets the Minister allow wood or any other material or product that achieves those benefits (Clause 1; new s.7(1.1)).
- Federal building requirements must consider GHG reductions and other environmental benefits (Clause 1).
- The Minister may allow wood and other sustainable materials if they deliver those benefits (Clause 1).
- Applies to public works, federal real property, and federal immovables (Clause 1).
- No mandate or quota to use wood; the Minister “may allow” its use (Clause 1).
- No new funding, taxes, or fees stated in the bill. Data on costs are not provided.
What it means for you#
- Households:
- You may see more federal projects that consider low-carbon materials, including wood. There is no guarantee of change on any single project (Clause 1).
- Workers (construction and design on federal projects):
- Project requirements will include consideration of GHG reductions and environmental benefits. You may be asked to compare materials on these grounds (Clause 1).
- Businesses (contractors, architects, engineers, suppliers):
- You can propose wood and other materials that show environmental benefits. Proposals may need to document those benefits to meet project requirements (Clause 1).
- Wood and other material suppliers:
- Potential for more bids that accept wood or other sustainable products if they meet performance and code requirements (Clause 1).
- Federal departments and agencies:
- Procurement staff must consider GHG and environmental benefits when setting project requirements. The bill does not add reporting duties or specific targets (Clause 1).
- Timing:
- The bill does not set an effective date. In Canada, acts usually take effect on Royal Assent unless stated otherwise.
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.
- No fiscal note or cost estimate is provided. Data unavailable.
- The bill makes no appropriation and creates no new fees or taxes (Clause 1).
- It adds a consideration requirement but does not mandate specific materials or quotas (Clause 1).
Proponents' View#
- It embeds environmental considerations in federal construction decisions, which supporters say can lower embodied GHGs in buildings (Clause 1; new s.7(1.1)). No quantified estimate is provided in the bill.
- It enables, but does not force, the use of wood and other sustainable materials, giving departments flexibility to choose the best option for each project (Clause 1).
- It is material-neutral. Any product that shows environmental benefits could qualify, not only wood (Clause 1).
- It may create opportunities for Canadian suppliers of low‑carbon materials, including engineered wood, if they meet project needs. No data on market impact are provided.
- Because there is no mandate, supporters argue costs can be managed through normal procurement and competition. No cost data are provided.
Opponents' View#
- “Environmental benefits” is undefined, which could lead to inconsistent application or disputed assessments across projects (Clause 1).
- Without clear metrics or lifecycle rules, decisions may rely on claims that are hard to verify, raising greenwashing and enforcement concerns. No verification framework is included (Clause 1).
- If agencies prefer wood without full lifecycle analysis, some projects could face higher costs or performance trade-offs in certain climates or uses. No cost data are provided.
- Added evaluation steps could slow procurement if departments lack tools or expertise to compare material impacts. The bill adds the requirement but no resources or guidance (Clause 1).
- Safety and building code compliance still apply; some fear the bill could be misread as encouraging wood where it may not be suitable. The text does not change codes or safety standards (Clause 1).