London: Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, has announced an investment of over $2 million to three organizations that are advancing energy efficiency in buildings in Ontario.
These projects include:
● Over $1.3 million to Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology, in London, to retrofit the Kestrel Court Student Residence, a 25-year-old complex, into a net zero-energy facility. Fanshawe College also contributed $1.25 million, bringing the combined project cost to more than $2.5 million.
● $365,000 to Indwell, in Woodstock, to support the construction of Blossom Park Apartments, a new, 34-unit, high-performing multi-unit residential building using the BuildSMART prefabricated envelope technology to help inform local and national net-zero energy codes. The Canada Green Building Council, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Oxford County and Passive House Canada also funded the project, bringing the total cost to more than $7.3 million.
● $350,000 to Enwave Energy Corporation, in Markham, to support the development of the Enwave Geothermal Community Energy System, which will supply low-carbon geothermal heating and cooling to 300 residential homes. The project also received financial support from City of Markham, Mattamy Homes and The Atmospheric Fund for a total project cost of $818,367.
Federal funding is being provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Green Infrastructure – Energy Efficient Buildings Program. This program supports improvements to the design, renovation and construction of our homes and buildings. The government is advancing the development and implementation of building codes for existing buildings and new net-zero-energy–ready buildings through research, development and demonstration projects in London and across the nation.
The Government of Canada is also developing a Green Buildings Strategy, which will help Canada move toward a resilient, net-zero emissions buildings sector by 2050. The Strategy will be focused on increasing the rate of building retrofits, ensuring buildings are resilient and net-zero ready from the start, and supporting systems change for the buildings sector of the future. Further engagement on the Strategy with provinces and territories, Indigenous governments and municipalities will take place before it is finalized in 2023.
Minister Wilkinson said: “Reducing emissions from buildings is a key part of our efforts to combat climate change. Our government is pleased to support today’s investment in energy efficiency in Ontario, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower costs to residents and improve building resilience for folks in London, Woodstock and Markham. Congratulations to all of those involved.”
Peter Fragiskatos said: “Today our government announced support for research and development in the buildings sector. These investments will improve energy efficiency, help build more resilient communities and demonstrate Canadian leadership in addressing climate change.”
Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West, said: “Existing buildings play an important role in helping us achieve our ambitious climate goals. By retrofitting Fanshawe College’s 25-year-old Kestral Court Student Residence into a net-zero facility, our government is advancing energy efficiency for Londoners, and all Canadians.”
Paul Chiang, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Markham—Unionville, said: “Our government is proud to support the development of the Enwave Geothermal Community Energy System. This project will supply low-carbon geothermal heating and cooling to homes in Markham, ensuring our communities contribute to the development of a clean and prosperous future.”
Alison Ewart, PhD, Dean of Fanshawe College’s Centre for Research and Innovation, added: “The Kestrel Court project offers a unique opportunity to provide a transformative model to reduce carbon emissions from existing low-rise housing throughout Canada. Fanshawe aims to demonstrate the savings to homeowners, industry representatives, building officials, code authorities and policymakers of sustainable retrofit practices. Thanks to the support from Natural Resources Canada, this research will inform new, leading-edge programs at Fanshawe that will be the model across Canada.”
• Buildings and homes contribute approximately 18 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Emissions Reductions Plan advances climate resiliency through the development of the $150-million Canada Green Buildings Strategy.