To the first point: Timber that is grown in cold conditions will be harder and tougher, because it grows more slowly. So yes, Canadian lumber is a thing.

Sidebar: I just saw a piece about growing oaks for warships. The oaks were grown between larks and spruce, so that the trees became tall through competition. This made nice long lengths for the ships. So, that took 150 years before harvest. European Navies effectively planned 150 + years ahead for their fleets.

Anyway, to the shoddy building materials thread:

I am from Europe too, but I have a different slant on the story.

I live in the shakiest Isles in the world. All you need to do is google earthquakes in the 20's that levelled NZ cities made in the 'old country' way - of double story houses with structural (i.e. they supported the roof frames) doubled brick walls -often sharing walls with a row of neigbours - in the time-honored narrow housefront Saxon city-planning style - i.e. an outside wall-gap-inside wall - all brick.

So much damage, and so many lives lost, from bricks flying all over the place.

Single story Timber buildings - yes - these did fine, thanks. So, the government of the time, wrote a building code that had extensive instructions for brick veneer on timber frame - with brick ties to stabilize the bricks. Bricks weren't allowed willy-nilly without registered bridklayers doing the work and inspections, except bricks were allowed around fire-places, for decoration. Not full stacks - for obvious reasons.

Concrete, reinforced with steel, was also prescribed after that earthquake- yes, provided it has lots of steel and earthquake proofing, and designed release joints- so very expensive for first time buyers and working folk.

My point was: a German fellow asked me why houses were 'so cheaply built' in New Zealand - that back home, everyone wants brick. And I pointed out that Timber frame is earthquake resistant. So he shrugged his shoulders and said he preferred briick. LOL. He went back home, I guess.

I think Japanese architects can tell a similar story. Wood is good for flex. Once you have a frame, it needs cladding. Plasterboard is a time-honorored way to do that. And yes, you can punch holes in it. What are you, a savage? Anyway, there are some preddy tough plaster, or cement boards out there for fire-proofing, sound-proofing, kid-proofing and as underlays for tiles - to be fair. But nothing is stopping you hanging tongue and groove wooden boards, or even deorative plywood - if you want strength.