Canadian flag flies high

Canadian companies were out in force at Ecobuild and, according to Jason Kee, trade commissioner at the Canadian High Commission in London, they’ll have an even stronger presence in 2012.

Twenty-seven Canadian companies exhibited at the show, 24 of which were represented on the Canadian Pavilion, and delegations from 30 other Canadian organisations visited to gather information on the European construction market.

“They are using Ecobuild to get inspiration from European developers,” said Mr Kee. “For example, they are keen to develop cross-laminated timber in Canada.

“Green build has become a priority in Canada as a response to issues around climate change and demand from both domestic and industrial consumers who want to reduce their energy costs.”

He added that both Canada’s government and its construction industry had invested considerable sums in developing sustainable building products and systems that could now be exported around the world.

Mr Kee said that Ecobuild had become “the default construction show” with the demise of Interbuild and said the visitor and exhibitor numbers showed optimism that recovery was on its way and that with it came a new horizon for the timber industry – sustainability.