Evidence of meeting #4 for Natural Resources in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was industry.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Richard Cannings NDP South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
I'll turn to Mr. Krips.
I was a former species-at-risk biologist in my previous life. I would like him to expand on that multi-species approach, because the simplest way to do that would be to use umbrella species like cariboo and spotted owl. I know those words cause heart palpitations in the forest industry. I'm wondering how he would think that would be simpler to move to a multi-species approach for the forest industry.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Forest Products Association
That's a great question.
I don't think it's going to be simpler, but we feel we're being layered one species at a time. The intent would be to stand back and take a holistic approach. Let's make sure we have a working landscape with a multi-species approach, as opposed to cariboo, multi-species of trout, and then bull frog on top of that.
The concern is that... Our forests are managed in a very holistic way from a mill side, working with the government on Crown lands. We'd like to see species at risk take that similar approach.
If I can just turn back to the demand side on the mass timber conversation, Mr. Chair, I wanted to—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
We've already run out of time, so if you can be really efficient, that would be very helpful.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Forest Products Association
I'll be very quick.
Enabling pieces of legislation, such as moving building codes from six to 12 storeys provincially in the National Building Code is critically important—I couldn't agree more with Susan and Sylvain on that—as is growing the demand for mass timber and other value-added products. I'll leave it at that.
Thank you for your time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Thanks very much to all of our witnesses.
I apologize that we are chronically under time here, but we are very grateful that you took the time to be here today.
We are going to have to suspend the meeting.
Everybody will have to sign off and then sign back on. We're going to have some very brief committee business.
[Proceedings continue in camera]