The bill has already made it through the House of Commons' second reading, and Martin is a supporter despite other politicians urging him to change his vote. A candidate to represent Sault Ste. Marie who could have a chance during the next election, Christian Provenzano, actually distributed a press release that asks Martin to change his vote.

 

In the release, Provenzano points out that he's aware of the financial difficulties that Canada's wood production industry is having right now, especially with the bleak economic times in Canada and around the world. And he states that the federal government needs to offer its support to the wood producers. He also points out, however, that he would not support a bill like the one currently in dispute. He believed that the bill can actually affect the community in a negative way by urging wood construction over the construction of commercial metal buildings, and he urges Martin to vote against the bill when it comes up for a reading for the third time.

 

Canada's Department of Public Works and Government Services is responsible for the purchases made to construct, maintain and repair federal buildings. In the controversial bill that was introduced by an MP in Bloc Quebecois, the request is made for the government to choose wood and concepts that lend themselves more to wood construction, rather than purchasing and paying for the construction of steel frame buildings.

 

Provenzano has made his views clearer by pointing out that Sault Ste. Marie is a steel city, but that it would be acceptable for the government to choose bids that were favorable to wood when it was appropriate and cost effective to do so. Martin states simply that the government can boost the struggling wood industry by preferring wood buildings over metal buildings. He also says that he's informed the local steelworkers' union reps on his opinions and his position, and furthermore, they understand it and had even been lobbying for similar legislation a few years ago. The United Steelworkers have interest in wood as well as steel.

 

Over $12 billion worth of goods like wood and steel and labor services are purchased each year by the Public Works department, and despite pushing for the government to choose only bids that favor the use of wood, Martin points out that wood can never replace steel frame buildings. To illustrate, he says that we don't have wooden skyscrapers, so steel is in no danger of being completely edged out by wood products. He also considers himself a champion of the steel industry but insists that he's looking at the big picture and will not change his vote.