Federal government invests $500k in MTC Mass Timber

EAST HANTS — The Canadian government funds MTC Mass Timber to support its move to technology-driven manufacturing that will create mass timber products in Nova Scotia.

Through an investment of $500,000, MTC will advance the detailed design of a mass timber manufacturing structure that would house a new industrial plant. Once constructed, MTC will be Canada’s first vertically integrated mass timber manufacturer in Atlantic Canada.

“Establishing mass timber manufacturing in Nova Scotia will complete Canada’s nationwide mass timber supply chain. By adding 2.5 million square feet of annual construction capacity, MTC will help meet the growing demand for low-carbon building solutions, from homes to healthcare facilities,” said Patrick Crabbe, president and CEO of Mass Timber.

MTC was also conditionally approved for $10 million in federal support, subject to the required due diligence measures, and the negotiation of a final agreement by both parties, to:

• Work with local forest sector partners and First Nations to integrate their operations into a high-specification manufacturing business.
• Use technology-driven manufacturing to open a facility that can use eastern spruce — currently undervalued in the lumber industry — to create high-value products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and glue-laminated beams and columns.
• Diversify their product lines by maximizing the value of wood fibre products, which will contribute to the local economy by increasing income per unit and growing operations.

The project would also create 124 new local jobs while opening new economic avenues for the use of locally grown eastern spruce lumber in manufacturing.

“Through our Green Construction through Wood and Investment in Forest Industry Transformation programs, we are continuing to support Canada’s forest sector to implement innovative technologies that increase efficiency and capacity, lower emissions and create good, sustainable jobs. Today’s investments are excellent examples of how we can continue to reduce emissions while helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the lumber industry in Nova Scotia,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, energy minister.