BC Funds Four New Mass Timber Demonstration Projects

On Tuesday, British Columbia announced CA$2 million in funding for four new mass timber demonstration buildings, with each project receiving $500,000.

The projects were selected through the fourth intake of BC’s Mass Timber Demonstration Program (MTDP), which helps local builders, designers, and manufacturers advance their use of mass timber technologies, scale up innovative construction practices, and improve production capabilities, while creating new skilled jobs, supporting climate-smart development, and strengthening BC’s forest-based economy. These demonstration projects help lessen the risk of implementing mass timber in BC, paving the way to export BC wood and expertise to global markets.

With these additions, the MTDP now includes 24 demonstration buildings and eight research projects aimed at expanding the province’s engineered wood products industry.

The projects are:

1. Nexus, a six-story project in Penticton combining office space, daycare, and retail.
2. An Indigenous affordable housing project in Surrey, an eight-story hybrid building with 78 below-market rental units.
3. Cube 2.0, a three-story Olympic-level climbing gym in Nelson designed with sustainable practices.
4. Willow House, a 12-story Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon project in Vancouver providing 75 family units.

The funding is delivered through Forestry Innovation Investment, the province’s Crown corporation.

Commenting on the announcement, BC Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon said:

“Mass timber represents a transformative, locally sourced solution that’s generating significant employment opportunities, spurring cutting-edge innovation, and revitalizing rural economies across British Columbia. Through our continued strategic investments in projects throughout the province, we’re positioning BC as a leader in mass-timber construction, while building the foundation for sustained, long-term economic growth that will benefit communities for generations to come.”