John Yakabuski

The bill doesn’t single out Canada, but would require state contractors to ensure they only use boreal forest wood products that respect Indigenous rights and aren’t adding to forest destruction. Ontario, Alberta and Quebec and Canada’s Consulate General are arguing it unfairly targets industry north of the border.

The federal Liberal government is providing $15 million over four years to rescue the 50 Million Tree Program, which is the first Ontario-based environmental initiative to be funded through the Low Carbon Economy Fund. The fund had earmarked $420 million for the province to provide to energy efficiency programs and other measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.