The Canadian Wood Council and Woodsure, a division of Axis Insurance Managers, have announced a new partnership that is designed to increase the adoption of wood construction in Canada.

The partnership is between the organizations’ WoodWorks and Woodsure programs respectively.

It aims to empower architects, builders, and developers to choose wood with confidence, knowing they have access to robust insurance solutions that understand the complexities of wood construction.

“We are thrilled to welcome Woodsure as a partner of our WoodWorks program,” said Rick Jeffery, President & CEO, Canadian Wood Council. “This collaboration is a natural extension of our mutual commitment to supporting wood construction, fostering growth of the wood construction sector, and encouraging increased adoption of sustainable building practices.”

The organizations aim to increase the acceptance, safety, and growth of mass timber construction, recognizing it as a strategically preferred material for sustainable building practices.

“We believe that insurance should not only keep pace with, but also actively support, the mass timber and wood frame industries,” said Roland Waldmeier, National Senior Vice President, Construction, Contracting, and Real Estate, Axis Insurance Managers Inc. “These sectors are vital to both social and economic objectives in Canada. Therefore, it is important for us to continually develop innovative insurance solutions that foster growth in the Canadian wood industry. By providing the necessary capacity, we make it easier for projects to secure the coverage they need."