On July 16th, the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced the release of the Canada Green Buildings Strategy (CGBS). The focus of the CGBS is improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from the building sector, which is Canada’s third largest emitting sector – after oil/gas and transportation.  

To accomplish this, the Government is seeking to “Accelerate retrofits of existing buildings and ensure newly constructed buildings are “… energy-efficient, climate-resilient and affordable …”. They also want to “Seize the economic opportunities associated with more efficient and lower carbon building materials and technologies.” 

Many of the elements in the CGBS are existing funding programs and initiatives. However, there are several new initiatives, including: 

• Mandating that Crown Corporations align with the Greening Government Strategy, which outlines how the Federal Government will reduce emissions and improve climate resilience in their owned buildings and through procurement; 
• Implementing “… a ‘Buy Clean’ policy approach that leverages federal procurement and investment to promote the use of low or net-zero-carbon construction materials and designs;”  
• As announced in Budget 2024, $30 million has been allocated for developing “… a Framework for Nationally Consistent Home Labelling.”  
• An additional $15 billion in Budget 2024 for new loan funding for the Apartment Construction Loan Program, which “… prioritizes projects that have significant emissions reductions.”  
• Amending the Energy Efficiency Regulations between 2024 and 2026 to update/add “… energy efficiency or testing standards for a series of energy-using products including air conditioners, heat pumps, gas-fired furnaces (commercial) and storage water heaters, as well as electric and oil-fired water heaters (household);” 
• Modernizing the Energy Efficiency Act, so it can be effectively applied to online retailers;  
• Phasing-out the installation of oil heating systems in new construction by as early as 2028;  
• $50 million in Budget 2024 for launching “… a new Homebuilding Technology and Innovation Fund …,” as well as another $50 million “… to support local innovative housing solutions across the country …;” and 
• A $6 billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund announced in Budget 2024 “ … to accelerate the construction and upgrading of housing-enabling infrastructure, such as water, wastewater, storm water and solid waste infrastructure to enable new housing supply and help improve densification.” However, to access this funding, Provinces will need to adopt the “… forthcoming changes to the National Building Code to support more accessible, affordable and climate-friendly housing options.”