CaGBC offers recommendations to new federal government

In the wake of this week’s federal election, which the Liberal Party won with a minority government, the Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC’s) advocacy team has offered recommendations for moving the building industry toward a lower-carbon future.

“Canadians call for urgent and meaningful action on climate change,” says Catherine Henry, marketing and communications (marcom) specialist for CaGBC. “We believe the industry can help the new government create jobs, spur economic growth, deliver cost savings and improve quality of life. Already, the Liberal Party has committed to investing in a low-carbon workforce transition, to help our construction workforce develop, construct and manage high-performing green buildings.”

Specifically, the party pledged $100 million for skills training in energy audits, retrofits and net-zero construction, along with a promise to make large commercial buildings more energy-efficient with a national competition to create four $100-million long-term funds, which should help attract private capital for deep retrofits.

CaGBC—through its Investor Confidence Project (ICP)—recommends the government instruct the Canada Infrastructure Bank to include building retrofits as part of its investment strategies. The organization encourages adopting a zero-carbon building standard and updated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum policy for all new federal buildings, as well as developing national guidelines for building data benchmarking and disclosure.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Liberal Party as we move toward sustainable buildings,” says Henry.