Federal Energy Minister Promotes Mass Timber in B.C. Visit
Published: 3:36 PM Monday, November 10, 2025
In a bold move to promote sustainable building practices and bolster local economies, Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, recently visited Castlegar, British Columbia. The purpose of their visit was to tour Kalesnikoff Lumber’s innovative mass timber production facility and to underscore the government’s commitment to its "Buy Canadian" strategy as outlined in the 2025 federal budget.
Kalesnikoff Lumber’s Transformation
The centerpiece of their tour was the impressive 100,000 square-foot mass timber production facility, which opened its doors in June as part of a $30 million investment. This facility was further supported by a $3 million investment from Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program. The facility represents not just a significant local investment, but also a crucial step toward modernizing Canada’s forestry industry.
What is Mass Timber?
Mass timber is a revolutionary approach to construction that transforms traditional lumber into high-value, low-carbon building components. Using advanced methodologies, Kalesnikoff’s facility produces prefabricated wall and floor systems, entire modular units, and employs advanced materials like glued-laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber. This innovation allows for a wide range of applications, from residential homes and apartment complexes to public infrastructures like schools and recreational facilities.
The Federal Budget: A Focus on Canadian Materials
A key highlight of Minister Hodgson’s visit was his discussion of the 2025 budget, which significantly prioritizes the adoption of Canadian materials in construction projects. The budget outlines new measures aimed at ensuring federal contracts require the use of Canadian softwood lumber and mass timber products. This shift not only aims to support local industry but also to encourage sustainable building practices across the nation.
“The prime minister has been very clear that he wants the bulk of that new home development to be through manufactured homes because it drives down the cost,” Hodgson informed Castlegar News. He emphasized that mass timber plays a critical role in this strategy, as it potentially lowers construction costs through efficiency and superior material properties.
Building Homes for the Future
Aligned with the Liberal government’s Build Canada Homes plan, which aims for the construction of 500,000 homes annually over the next decade, the emphasis on mass timber is indicative of a new construction paradigm. Minister Hodgson remarked on the facility’s potential when he stated, “When you look at a facility like this, you can see that the goal is attainable… This is the opportunity – we need to change the way we build. We are here because this is the future.”
Economic Financing and Support
The 2025 budget is set to allocate significant funds to support this transformation. It proposes up to $700 million in loan guarantees over two years to help companies navigate the financial landscape during this pivotal shift. Furthermore, the government plans to invest an additional $500 million over three years, starting in 2026-27, to renew and expand programs focused on forest sector market and product diversification, including new export initiatives.
The Benefits of Mass Timber
The adoption of mass timber not only underscores a commitment to sustainability but also brings numerous practical advantages. These include reduced construction times and improved precision and predictability during the building process. Such efficiencies not only benefit builders and developers but also ultimately lead to more affordable housing for Canadians.
Conclusion
The visit by Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr to Kalesnikoff Lumber’s mass timber facility exemplifies a pivotal moment for Canada’s forestry and construction industries. By championing mass timber as a primary material in sustainable construction and aligning government policies to support local industries, the Canadian government is positioning itself as a leader in environmentally responsible building practices. As projects like those at Kalesnikoff evolve, they stand not only to contribute to the economy but also to set a visionary precedent for sustainable development across the nation.
