The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) represents the Canadian wood products industry through a national federation of associations.

The Mission of the Council is to expand market access and increase demand for Canadian wood products through excellence in codes, standards, regulations and education.

The CWC’s vision is to be passionate, credible agents of change leading to an advanced and sustainable wood culture.

The CWC provides technical and knowledge transfer services relating to building codes, standards and regulations. The CWC is active in a technical capacity in all areas of the Regulatory System:

BUILDING CODES – CWC participates extensively in the development process of the Building Codes in Canada.

DESIGN STANDARDS – CWC holds the Secretariat for Canada’s wood design standard (CSA O86 “Engineering Design in Wood”), providing both technical expertise and administrative support for its development.

PRODUCT STANDARDS – CWC is involved in the development of Canadian, U.S. and international standards for its wood building product producers.

TEST STANDARDS – CWC is involved in developing Canadian, U.S. and international test standards in areas that affect wood products, such as fire performance.

MARKET DEVELOPMENT

A core role of the CWC is to act as the conduit for the transfer of technical knowledge for the people (builders, architects, engineers) who specify wood in construction. CWC does this by:

  • Providing essential technical tools and field support needed to design with wood. This includes the development and distribution of technical manuals, web tools, design software and a HelpDesk option.
  • Operating a pan-Canadian construction sector education program, with market partners, under the name of Wood WORKS!, Cecobois in Quebec.
  • Publishing the Wood Design & Building magazine and magazine insert, as well as hosting a variety of awards programs and events.

The Wood WORKS! program plays a very important role in broadening wood’s use in construction by working closely with the building community and governments for wood’s broader use. Learn more at wood-works.ca.

STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT

CWC maintains close ties with members, potential members, companies and design professionals and provides these groups with a forum for discussion on issues of importance. 

The CWC would like to recognize the ongoing support of its members, as well as the National Lumber Grades Authority.