R.M. (Rick) Jeffery
As we reflect upon the past year, I would like to begin by acknowledging the many people whose contributions are central to the ongoing success of the CWC. First, thank you to the Board of Directors for their leadership, dedication, and commitment; it is only with strong industry leadership that the CWC can deliver its mandate.
Thanks also to our members, external partners, sponsors, and funders; your valuable contributions enable us to execute the projects and programs that achieve positive results for the industry.
These targeted efforts, and the governments’ own stated decarbonization targets, enable us to successfully position wood products and systems for use in every type of construction – from commercial, institutional, and mixed-use buildings, to bridges and other transit infrastructure, to tall wood and multi-unit housing.
Currently, the opportunity is greatest in the multi-unit housing sector, particularly when it comes to affordable housing and low-carbon construction. With respect to the affordability crisis, we know 6-storey, light wood frame construction is the most economical way to build, therefore we are working to ensure that building type is included in the federal housing catalogue. We are also leveraging the growing interest in off-site manufacturing, panelization, and modular construction, that is motivated in part by growing skilled labour shortages, to have those wood construction solutions included as well.
The organizational transformation at CWC in 2023 was mirrored within our WoodWorks program, an evolution that was signalled by the program’s rebrand in the second half of 2023. The regional teams, now with expanded technical expertise, have been delivering impactful educational content, providing critical technical support for wood projects, and fostering valuable partnerships that are driving influenced wood sales, one of our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Rebuilding our relationships with our corporate partners has been a key focus, and we're thrilled to see the positive results.
Throughout the year, our teams responded to challenges and opportunities in the marketplace strategically and with creativity and agility, delivering excellence across the organization in alignment with our core objectives. What we have accomplished this year in terms of external impact and internal transformation is a testament to the dedication of our talented team, the respect for our organization within the industry, and the trust of our members, partners, and stakeholders. We are proud to share these accomplishments with you in our 2023 Annual Report.
As we look towards the future, the potential for wood to contribute to the decarbonization of the built environment remains immense and the CWC is well-positioned, with the requisite knowledge, communication strategies, and organizational framework, to drive the growth of a sustainable and prosperous wood industry.
Yours truly,
R.M. (Rick) Jeffery
President & CEO
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the talented team at the CWC; their innovative ideas, insights, and commitment to excellence have been crucial to our achievements this year, reflecting their strength, diversity, and dedication to our mission and the industry.
In 2022, we undertook significant changes within our Senior Leadership Team which set the stage for a renewed strategic vision for 2023-2025. Now, one year in to our 3-year strategic plan, we have reinvigorated our organization. Shared services and a centralized approach to project delivery have helped us expand our team, increase capacity, and strengthen communication and collaboration between teams to optimize efficiencies as we deliver on our core objectives.
Our commitment to collaboration and innovation is reflected in our office renovations, which not only foster a versatile and collaborative space but also position us for future growth in a hybrid environment. Our focus on enhancing delivery standards, compliance, and risk management through a data-driven decision-making approach is already yielding exemplary results, as you’ll see in some of this year’s highlights.
Despite facing considerable headwinds in 2023, including higher interest rates, recessionary forces, and slowing demand in residential and construction sectors, the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) demonstrated resilience and forward-thinking leadership, positioning the industry for considerable growth once market conditions resolve.
Our technical and engineering teams have been pivotal in driving progress on several fronts, including facilitating wood-friendly updates to building codes and standards, advancing encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC), and influencing national policies on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon. These efforts are crucial for positioning wood as a preferred building material in a decarbonizing world.
As the affordable housing crisis took centre stage in 2023, CWC took action to position sustainable wood construction, with an emphasis on mid-rise and multi-family residential buildings, as an integral solution for the rapid delivery of housing. We met with representatives at every level of government to educate and inform them of the many wood solutions available to influence procurement policies in favour of wood in construction.
We hosted workshops and presented expert speakers. We collaborated with FPAC to release housing policy recommendations and worked with Infrastructure Canada and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation to offer recommendations for their forthcoming housing catalogue that were jointly developed by Codes & Engineering and WoodWorks.
These targeted efforts, and the governments’ own stated decarbonization targets, enable us to successfully position wood products and systems for use in every type of construction – from commercial, institutional, and mixed-use buildings, to bridges and other transit infrastructure, to tall wood and multi-unit housing.
Currently, the opportunity is greatest in the multi-unit housing sector, particularly when it comes to affordable housing and low-carbon construction. With respect to the affordability crisis, we know 6-storey, light wood frame construction is the most economical way to build, therefore we are working to ensure that building type is included in the federal housing catalogue. We are also leveraging the growing interest in off-site manufacturing, panelization, and modular construction, that is motivated in part by growing skilled labour shortages, to have those wood construction solutions included as well.
The organizational transformation at CWC in 2023 was mirrored within our WoodWorks program, an evolution that was signalled by the program’s rebrand in the second half of 2023. The regional teams, now with expanded technical expertise, have been delivering impactful educational content, providing critical technical support for wood projects, and fostering valuable partnerships that are driving influenced wood sales, one of our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Rebuilding our relationships with our corporate partners has been a key focus, and we're thrilled to see the positive results.
Throughout the year, our teams responded to challenges and opportunities in the marketplace strategically and with creativity and agility, delivering excellence across the organization in alignment with our core objectives. What we have accomplished this year in terms of external impact and internal transformation is a testament to the dedication of our talented team, the respect for our organization within the industry, and the trust of our members, partners, and stakeholders. We are proud to share these accomplishments with you in our 2023 Annual Report.
As we look towards the future, the potential for wood to contribute to the decarbonization of the built environment remains immense and the CWC is well-positioned, with the requisite knowledge, communication strategies, and organizational framework, to drive the growth of a sustainable and prosperous wood industry.
Yours truly,
R.M. (Rick) Jeffery
President & CEO
R.M. (Rick) Jeffery
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the talented team at the CWC; their innovative ideas, insights, and commitment to excellence have been crucial to our achievements this year, reflecting their strength, diversity, and dedication to our mission and the industry.
In 2022, we undertook significant changes within our Senior Leadership Team which set the stage for a renewed strategic vision for 2023-2025. Now, one year in to our 3-year strategic plan, we have reinvigorated our organization. Shared services and a centralized approach to project delivery have helped us expand our team, increase capacity, and strengthen communication and collaboration between teams to optimize efficiencies as we deliver on our core objectives.
Our commitment to collaboration and innovation is reflected in our office renovations, which not only foster a versatile and collaborative space but also position us for future growth in a hybrid environment. Our focus on enhancing delivery standards, compliance, and risk management through a data-driven decision-making approach is already yielding exemplary results, as you’ll see in some of this year’s highlights.
Despite facing considerable headwinds in 2023, including higher interest rates, recessionary forces, and slowing demand in residential and construction sectors, the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) demonstrated resilience and forward-thinking leadership, positioning the industry for considerable growth once market conditions resolve.
Our technical and engineering teams have been pivotal in driving progress on several fronts, including facilitating wood-friendly updates to building codes and standards, advancing encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC), and influencing national policies on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon. These efforts are crucial for positioning wood as a preferred building material in a decarbonizing world.
As the affordable housing crisis took centre stage in 2023, CWC took action to position sustainable wood construction, with an emphasis on mid-rise and multi-family residential buildings, as an integral solution for the rapid delivery of housing. We met with representatives at every level of government to educate and inform them of the many wood solutions available to influence procurement policies in favour of wood in construction.
We hosted workshops and presented expert speakers. We collaborated with FPAC to release housing policy recommendations and worked with Infrastructure Canada and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation to offer recommendations for their forthcoming housing catalogue that were jointly developed by Codes & Engineering and WoodWorks.
As we reflect upon the past year, I would like to begin by acknowledging the many people whose contributions are central to the ongoing success of the CWC. First, thank you to the Board of Directors for their leadership, dedication, and commitment; it is only with strong industry leadership that the CWC can deliver its mandate.
Thanks also to our members, external partners, sponsors, and funders; your valuable contributions enable us to execute the projects and programs that achieve positive results for the industry.
