June 20, 2007, Ottawa, ON — The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources and Dr. Richard Normandin, Vice President, Physical Sciences of the National Research Council Canada (NRC) today announced $5 million for a joint initiative to update the Model National Energy Code for Buildings.
The new Code will respond to today's energy efficiency issues and will have a long-term impact on Canada's energy legacy. With support and leadership from the provinces and territories, Canada's Energy Code will establish minimum requirements to construct buildings that reflect today's rising energy and construction costs, technological innovation and energy concerns.
"This announcement complements our Government's ecoENERGY Initiatives, a $2 billion investment in clean technology, renewable energy and energy efficiency," said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. "Updating the Model National Energy Code is good for Canadians. It will help all provinces reduce energy use, increase energy efficiency and reduce harmful GHG and air pollution emissions."
NRCan will provide technical expertise and funding of up to $5 million over four years to support the initiative. NRC, home to Canada's model national construction codes, will oversee the development of the energy code.
"Canada's New Government is pleased to develop a made-in-Canada solution that will emphasize the development of new environmentally friendly technologies for the construction sector. This is another step towards ensuring sustainable energy and clean air for our future generations." said the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for NRC.
NRC's President, Dr. Pierre Coulombe, noted that, "The development of a single national energy code will encourage Canadian companies to create new energy-efficient technologies, thus promoting sustainability across the country".
Under the direction of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC), which is responsible for the development of the model national construction codes of Canada at the NRC, the new Energy Code will be developed following the same broad consensus process used to develop other model national codes such as the National Building Code of Canada.
The new energy code will be published by 2012 and will complement the model national construction codes that will be published in 2010.
Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada's National Research Council is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology.
For more information, please visit the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or contact:
Sarah MangioneMedia RelationsNational Research Council CanadaTel.: 613-990-6091E-mail: media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Sylvie DostalerCommunications OfficerNRC Institute for Research in ConstructionNational Research Council of Canada Tel.: 613-998-9204E-mail: Sylvie.Dostaler@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Kathleen OlsonDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the MinisterNatural Resources CanadaOttawaTel.: 613-996-2007
