REPORT
How Federal Policy Can Transform Building Retrofits in Canada Review of recent federal policy from a mission-oriented perspective August 11, 2026About the report
Millions of Canadians live and work in deteriorating and inefficient buildings. Canada must urgently transform its building retrofit system so it can improve living conditions, climate resilience and economic stability. Market-shaping intermediaries can deliver this retrofit mission and help transform structural barriers into economic opportunities.
How Federal Policy Can Transform Building Retrofits in Canada outlines how Ottawa can direct policy and programs to create transformative change for buildings. It reviews activities by Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative and Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program recipients, as well as independent groups, to demonstrate how scaling up innovative retrofit solutions can prepare Canadian buildings for a clean and resilient future.
Authors
Betsy Agar
Director of Buildings Policy
Brendan Haley
Senior Director of Policy Strategy
Key report findings
Canada's way of retrofitting takes too long and puts too much responsibility and risk on everyday Canadians.
Two federal pilot programs developed an initial pipeline of projects and launched activities to identify innovative retrofit solutions. Both are about to run out of funding.
