As you can see, Mr. Chairman, this is a bill containing only one paragraph, but it is worth its weight in gold. There is absolutely no point in having a 100-page bill if, ultimately, it can be summarized in a single paragraph. You will see, as I have, that this one paragraph in Bill C-129 is worth its weight in gold.
Mr. Chairman, I am proud of the fact that a majority of colleagues in the House voted in favour of this bill. That gives us an opportunity to review it in committee and hear today from witnesses who may or may not support it. Our hope is that when the Committee has completed its review of the bill, the vote will be a favourable one, which will give the House of Commons the opportunity to examine the bill at third reading.
Mr. Chairman, like my colleagues and myself, you will note that the bill has three objectives. The first objective of Bill C-429, an Act to Amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood), is to help the forest industry. I would like to take the time to read that paragraph.
(1.1) Despite subsection (1), before soliciting bids for the construction, maintenance or repair of public works, federal immovables and federal real property, the Minister shall give preference to the concept that promotes the use of wood, while taking into account the cost and greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr. Chairman, as I was saying, although it is short, this bill is worth its weight in gold. It presents three goals, the first and foremost of which is to assist the forest industry, which is currently struggling, through greater use of wood when repairs are made to public works and federal buildings. Furthermore, Mr. Chairman, I imagine that if I asked all the members who are here today and support the idea of helping the forest industry, to raise their hands if they are in favour of passing this bill, I imagine that everyone would do that. If I asked that members raise their hands if they are in favour of the government meeting its greenhouse gas reduction targets, Mr. Chairman, I'm sure you would see that everyone would do that. The fact is that everyone is in favour.
When the government issues a call for tenders with respect to the construction, renovation or maintenance of federal buildings and allows entrepreneurs to use wood as a material, that is free competition. Companies that work with steel are not the only ones that can bid on a building project; there are also companies out there that prefer to work with wood. When there is competition, Mr. Chairman, like myself, you will see that, very often, the work that is carried out is of a very high quality and is performed at a better price.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I hope that the Committee will fully consider the perspective of witnesses who will be presenting their views—because they are highly qualified to address this and have come a long way. They come from Ontario, British Columbia and all across Canada. The forest industry is not only a concern in Quebec, but all across Ontario, British Columbia and the four corners of the country.
I would like to turn it over now to Ms. Berube, who will make her opening statement.