As National Forest Week is celebrated across the country, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is announcing the winners of its 2023 Awards of Excellence program. Today, FPAC announced the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is being honoured with the Partnership Award for their extraordinary contributions to shaping the future of construction and elevating the role of wood in sustainable building practices.
“The Partnership Award stands as recognition of the extraordinary partnership between FPAC and the Canadian Wood Council – showcasing the power that collaboration and teamwork can make in driving progress towards a greener, more sustainable future in Canada’s forestry and wood building sectors,” said Derek Nighbor, FPAC President and CEO.
"CWC's leadership in shaping future-ready building codes and standards that prioritize safety and climate benefits has been instrumental in advancing a cleaner future in the realm of Canadian construction. CWC’s deep expertise and experience is supporting the federal government’s Green Building Strategy in a material way and their work is helping position Canada as a global leader in low-carbon, wood construction,” he added.
Since its establishment in 1959, the Canadian Wood Council has been a pivotal national industry association representing structural wood product manufacturers. Over the years, the Council's commitment to technical excellence and collaborative efforts has played a crucial role in market access for wood products.
The Council's role as a reliable source of wood product information and technical expertise in wood design, engineering, and construction has been instrumental in fostering a generation of wood practitioners. Through close collaboration with regulatory bodies, the Council ensures that building codes and standards align with wood sector advancements.
The Council's dedication is particularly evident in the production of technical publications and various educational events that empower practitioners while providing them with the knowledge and skills to expand wood design capabilities. By strategically partnering with governmental bodies, design and construction professionals, and other forest sector research and advocacy groups, the CWC has seamlessly integrated structural wood products into mainstream construction practices while simultaneously championing wood's role in the decarbonization of the built environment.
Rick Jeffery, President and CEO of the Canadian Wood Council, reflects on the journey:
“Throughout my long tenure at the Council, first as a Board Member, then Board Chair, and now as President and CEO, I’ve been impressed and inspired by the knowledge and dedication of the Council’s personnel. It is a privilege to lead such a driven and talented team. The Council’s commitment to technical excellence and its collaborative approach have been instrumental in the organization’s success,” he said.
“I have spent more than 30 years in the natural resources sector, starting my career as a professional forester in the 1980s and transitioning into various leadership roles since then. Throughout my career, I’ve seen the forest sector grow and evolve into the innovative, technologically advanced industry that it has become today,” he added.
“I’m inspired to be part of an industry and an organization that plays such an integral part in a new green economy and a low-carbon future. I’m very proud to accept the 2023 Partnership Award from FPAC on behalf of the board and all my colleagues at the Canadian Wood Council.”
About Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, paper, and wood-based bioproducts producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industry with annual revenues exceeding $73B, Canada’s forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers operating in hundreds of communities, providing 205,000 direct jobs, and over 415,000 indirect jobs across the country. FPAC and its members are committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders, federal and provincial governments, labour partners, community groups, and other rightsholders and stakeholders to secure and advance the sector’s environmental, social, and economic potential for the long-term.
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