Bill 52 passes second reading at Queen's Park

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli
News Release

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Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is extremely pleased following Second Reading passage of his first Private Members’ Bill at the Ontario Legislature Thursday.

“I’m very happy that Liberal and NDP members, especially those in Northern Ontario, decided to back this legislation aimed at aiding the many forest-dependent communities in the North,” Fedeli said.

Bill 52, the Ontario Forestry Industry Revitalization Act, would have amended the Ontario Building Code to allow wood frame construction in mid-rise buildings up to six storeys, instead of the current four storeys.

Fedeli points out that he held extensive consultations with the wood construction industry prior to crafting his bill, and received letters of support from the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Last month, a number of industry representatives joined Fedeli at a Queen’s Park news conference to voice support for the building code change proposed in Bill 52.

Bill 52 would ensure proven fire safety measures are used and can help Southern Ontario meet targets to reduce urban sprawl and reduce construction costs for new midrise
buildings.

A similar Liberal-sponsored bill, Bill 61, also passed Second Reading Thursday, and both bills will now go to committee for further scrutiny.

“It’s my sincere hope that out of this process we come up with legislation that will achieve the intention of Bill 52 – boosting Ontario’s forestry industry and stimulating
economic activity across the North,” said Fedeli.

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