The Province continues to support the forestry sector by making wood heat and building materials a priority in public buildings.
Landon Reginato, Manager of Operations with Mira Forestry in Cape Breton Regional Municipality, inspects the wood-fuelled furnace at Memorial High School in Sydney Mines. (Province of Nova Scotia)
A request for proposals issued Thursday, May 14, will see five buildings converted to heating systems that use local wood products.
"We are seizing an opportunity to prioritize a local product from our forestry sector that also makes our province more self-reliant and energy secure," said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. "By using more local wood products, we are creating jobs, growing our economy and creating a brighter future for Nova Scotia."
These government-owned buildings will be converted to wood heat:
- Nova Scotia Community College Kingstec campus, Kentville
- Roseway Hospital, Shelburne
- Digby General Hospital, Digby
- Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton
- St. Martha's Regional Hospital, Antigonish.
This is the first major project under the government's wood initiative announced in July 2025. The deadline for submissions is June 24.
Using wood products aligns with the Nova Scotia Loyal program, reduces reliance on imports and enhances export markets. It also supports the forestry sector, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps the province move to a low-carbon economy.
Quotes:
"This is a great way to create new opportunities for our forestry industry and for companies to start new business models. The result will be jobs and careers for Nova Scotian families and an increase in the use of local, sustainable products."
Kim Masland, Minister of Natural Resources
"Wood heat today is professionally managed and monitored just like any commercial heating system. Modern wood-chip heating facilities are automated, clean and efficient. Most of our material comes from decaying or stagnant trees that are no longer growing well. The wood is then removed from the forest, chipped and delivered as fuel."
Landon Reginato, Manager of Operations, Mira Forestry, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Quick Facts:
- 20 public buildings, including schools and hospitals, already use wood heat, and two more are in development
- all departments have been directed to look for every opportunity to use mass timber, wood pellets, biomass, biofuels and other products made with wood left over from sustainable harvesting and sawmilling
- the Province has updated design and procurement policies to prioritize the use of wood products in new buildings and renovations
Additional Resources:
- Request for proposals - wood heat service provider: https://procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders/Doc2883011635
- News release - Government Promotes Wood for Construction, Heating: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/17/government-promotes-wood-construction-heating
- Use of wood backgrounder: https://novascotia.ca/tran/publications/wood-construction-heating-public-buildings-en.pdf
- An Independent Review of Forest Practices in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestry/Forest_Review/Lahey_FP_Review_Report_ExecSummary.pdf
