Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I would like to welcome Mr. Cannings, with whom I served on the Standing Committee on Natural Resources in 2019, and the senator.
I am quite pleased to see this bill before us today. As Mr. Cannings mentioned, the Bloc Québécois introduced a similar bill in 2009. In 2014, when it was reintroduced by the Bloc Québécois, I laid the groundwork for the bill.
The bills introduced in 2009 and 2014 were somewhat based on the Quebec Wood Charter. That policy allows us to maximize the use of wood in government buildings in Quebec. Innovative wood solutions must be employed, as stated in the Wood Charter.
Personally, I find it very interesting, especially since the government is introducing new measures to promote green building practices, even though it did not set an example itself. In my opinion, it was high time to introduce a bill to promote the use of wood, especially since all the forestry sector stakeholders are in complete agreement on this type of measure. The forest industry council comes to mind as an example.
In fact, establishing a carbon footprint policy is one of the demands in the common road map. Today, we are going even further. Indeed, we are seeking to have the carbon footprint taken into account when awarding government contracts. In doing so, a material like wood will always have an advantage.
Incidentally, earlier, my colleague Mr. Blois asked why we wanted to use wood specifically. As any engineer will tell you, there is no similar material with such a low carbon footprint.
Mr. Cannings mentioned Chantiers Chibougamau. What Chantiers Chibougamau is doing with glulam and cross-laminated timber makes it possible to use what is called pulpwood, the small pieces that no one wants, to create huge infrastructure. There's a tremendous value added, but unfortunately, it's mostly outside Canada that these beams are being used. They aren't used as much in Canada or Quebec. Incentives are therefore welcome.
Mr. Cannings or Senator, have you considered using language in the bill that is a little more binding, that would emphasize the incentive aspect? As I read the bill, it struck me as wishful thinking, but that may be because of the legal jargon.
Do you think it would be possible to propose an amendment to make the bill's wording a little more binding as far as the government's use of wood was concerned?