Government of Canada Invests in Net-Zero Buildings

April 24, 2019                       Toronto, Ontario                        Natural Resources Canada

One of the greatest opportunities for Canada is the shift towards clean growth. Transforming how we use energy presents tremendous economic potential and will result in good, middle-class jobs for Canadians and a cleaner planet for future generations. 

Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today announced $375,000 for front-end engineering design (FEED) studies for net-zero energy communities in the Toronto area. These studies will be conducted for the Port Lands and the Etobicoke Civic Centre Precinct.

Buildings and homes contribute approximately 17 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Net-Zero Energy buildings produce at least as much energy as they consume on an annual basis, and these studies look at applying a similar concept at the community level.

Natural Resources Canada funded the project through its Energy Innovation Program (EIP), which supports initiatives to accelerate clean technology development. The EIP is also part of Canada’s $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.

Through Canada’s national energy dialogue, Generation Energy, Canadians expressed that our country has an opportunity to play a leading role in the global low-carbon movement. We will continue to support clean energy initiatives that create jobs, support investment and industry competitiveness, advance our clean future and help realize our global climate change goals.

Quick Fact

·       Canada is committed to a clean energy future. The Government is working with provinces, territories and industry on energy code development, data sharing, research and development, and market transformation strategies for the building sector. This initiative builds on the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) and Canada’s Buildings Strategy, developed in partnership with the provinces and territories and through broad consultations with Canadians, key experts and industry stakeholders. Over one-third of estimated greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the PCF are from energy efficiency measures.

Quotes

“These studies will provide the necessary information for the City of Toronto to plan and develop new communities — helping them maximize their energy efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint.Through energy-efficient practices and the use of alternative renewable technologies, net-zero buildings will play a key role in transitioning to a low-carbon future.”

Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

"Net-zero communities are a key part of our TransformTO climate action strategy. This investment by the Government of Canada will help the City of Toronto move more quickly from planning to implementation to achieve its climate action goals."

James Pasternak,

City of Toronto, Councillor, York Centre

Related Links

Net Zero Housing

Clean Net Zero Program

Engineering Design for Net Zero Communities in Toronto

Contacts

Vanessa Adams
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
343-543-7645
Vanessa.Adams@canada.ca

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
343-292-6100
NRCan.media_relations-media_relations.RNCan@canada.ca

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