{"id":94153,"date":"2025-06-11T11:53:30","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T15:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?post_type=rbc_my_money_matter&p=94153"},"modified":"2025-06-11T11:53:32","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T15:53:32","slug":"how-weston-wood-solutions-is-helping-to-support-the-social-and-economic-health-of-canadas-forests","status":"publish","type":"rbc_my_money_matter","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/right-sized-business-advice\/commercial\/how-weston-wood-solutions-is-helping-to-support-the-social-and-economic-health-of-canadas-forests\/","title":{"rendered":"How Weston Wood Solutions is Helping to Support the Social and Economic Health of Canada\u2019s Forests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Forestry is a pillar of Canada\u2019s economy: In 2022, the industry exported $45.6 billion<\/a> in products, with the United States as its largest buyer, accounting for around 1.2% of Canada\u2019s real gross domestic product (GDP). The industry provides significant social and economic opportunities across the country, directly employing over 212,600 Canadians<\/a> in every province and territory (except Nunavut), and providing employment in rural, remote and Indigenous communities, where forest-related work can often be the main source of income.  <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond their economic and social benefits, forests play a crucial role in regulating climate across the world. Forests help to balance the Earth\u2019s carbon cycle by sequestering carbon dioxide<\/a> as they grow, and emitting it as they burn or decay. Historically, Canada\u2019s managed forest land has acted as a carbon sink, meaning it absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases. However, over the last 35 years<\/a>, multiple factors\u2014such as an increase in land burned by wildfires; insect outbreaks and epidemics, and the subsequent responses to curtail them; and shifts in annual harvest rates\u2014have reduced the capacity of Canada\u2019s forest land to absorb as much carbon as it once did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is sustainable forest management? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To ensure the long-term environmental, social, cultural and economic health of Canada\u2019s forests, which account for 9% of all forest land on Earth, the government has applied sustainable forest management<\/a> principles to all publicly-owned forests. Laws, regulations and policies set standards for harvesting and regeneration practices; respecting Indigenous values and treaty rights; protecting allocated areas and conserving biodiversity; preventing illegal logging; and prohibiting illegal timber imports into Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the companies shaping the industry is Weston Wood Solutions<\/a>, a key player in responsible sourcing and sustainable forestry. Founded in 1985 in Ontario, Weston Wood has grown from a local supplier into a globally-recognized provider of lumber and millwork products in the building sector. Today, it employs approximately 90 people at its headquarters in Brampton, Ontario, with additional manufacturing facilities in Canada, Asia, and South America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting industry standards for sustainable forestry management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWeston\u2019s initiatives towards sustainable forestry began in 2008,\u201d says Lara Lechem, Corporate Responsibility and Strategic Projects Lead at Weston Wood Solutions.  \u201cAs the business has grown and evolved, we have continued to see the importance of ethical sourcing\u2014not just from an environmental standpoint, but also for long-term business sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ethical sourcing<\/a> is an approach to supply chain management that prioritizes suppliers and vendors that meet certain standards in areas such as fair labour practices and environmental sustainability. \u201cWe want our clients to trust that every product we offer meets the highest ethical and environmental standards,\u201d says Lechem. \u201cThat means working only with partners who share our values and maintaining complete transparency across our supply chain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weston Wood adheres to industry standards of responsible sourcing. This includes certification systems like Forest Stewardship Council<\/a> (FSC), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification<\/a> (PEFC), and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), as well as following laws like the Lacey Act<\/a>, which prohibits the import of illegally harvested wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company is also seeing an increased demand from its customers who want assurance that their materials are sourced responsibly: \u201cWhile this is not a new initiative in our industry, there is certainly a renewed sense of urgency as regulations, reporting, and consumer demand related to sustainability have grown in sophistication and importance over recent years,\u201d Lechem says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about regulatory compliance\u2014it\u2019s about doing the right thing and creating long-term value for our stakeholders,\u201d says Agostino Nigro, President at Weston Wood Solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reforestation partnerships that prioritize carbon sequestration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As part of their environmental sustainability goals, Weston Wood has partnered with Canada\u2019s Forest Trust<\/a> (CFT) to plant 25,000 trees over five years, as part of its Smart Forest program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon sequestration\u2014the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide\u2014can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming. By investing in its Smart Forest initiative, Weston Wood is not only offsetting its carbon impact, but it is also actively restoring the forests it relies on for business. Weston Wood will plant 5,000 saplings annually, including Black Spruce, Red Pine, and Jack Pine, in Porter Cove, New Brunswick, a region known for its biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 When Weston Wood sought a partner for its reforestation efforts, CFT stood out for its shared values. CFT works to emphasize reforestation\u2019s broader benefits, including supporting biodiversity and long-term impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe chose a partnership that focuses on active carbon sequestration, contributing to a cyclical, generational impact on the environment,\u201d says Lechem. \u201cAs the forest matures, its capacity to absorb carbon grows exponentially, creating a legacy of environmental stewardship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next 20 years, an estimated 310,000 kg (310 metric tonnes) of carbon will be sequestered through Weston Wood\u2019s planting commitment, which began in January 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reducing the environmental impact of business operations <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Weston Wood\u2019s environmental commitment extends beyond the forest. As part of its broader environmental strategy, the company has made significant infrastructure investments aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its operations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vehicle electrification <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Its entire forklift fleet at the Brampton headquarters has been switched from gas to electric power with more electrification planned for other facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis switch has reduced our reliance on fossil fuels, lowered emissions, and cut long-term operational costs,\u201d says Lechem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building retrofits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to electrifying some of its equipment at its headquarters, the company recently completed a major LED lighting retrofit, replacing outdated systems with energy efficient alternatives. The change, Lechem says, will drive notable energy savings while reducing the company\u2019s environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recycling <\/b>programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Weston Wood has also expanded its recycling programs at its Brampton and Sault Ste. Marie locations, focusing on three key areas, including biomass energy (repurposing wood chips into biofuels to generate sustainable energy), mulch and compost (converting excess wood into landscaping materials), and manufactured products (recycling wood into particleboard and plywood).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Environmental sustainability as a business strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we\u2019ve formalized our sustainability processes, we\u2019ve realized that sustainability has always been part of our ethos,\u201d says Lechem. \u201cWe work with natural materials, so it only makes sense that we take responsibility for protecting those resources. Now, we\u2019re just making sure we do it in a way that\u2019s measurable, transparent, and built to last.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnvironmental responsibility can be a strategic business advantage and not just a compliance necessity,\u201d says Lechem. \u201cBusinesses that integrate sustainability into their strategy will have stronger customer trust, regulatory compliance, and long-term profitability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By prioritizing strategic partnerships and forward-thinking environmental initiatives, Weston Wood Solutions is demonstrating that environmentally-sustainable business practices are more than just an obligation\u2014they can be a driver of resilience and growth in an evolving industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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