DiscoverEE Webinar: Energy Efficiency at Work

This winter, Efficiency Canada helped launch a national petition calling on the Government of Canada to recognize energy efficiency as a cornerstone of nation-building. Investing in energy productivity delivers wide-ranging benefits—from lowering utility bills for households and businesses to driving local economic development and supporting Canadian innovation.

In this webinar, we will celebrate how energy efficiency investments are strengthening communities, and households, across the country. Through real-world perspectives from industry leaders and practitioners, we’ll highlight the tangible impacts of these projects on affordability, job creation, and sustainable growth as well as identifying the opportunities that exist for continued success.

Guest Speakers:

Melinda Zytaruk, MES, CPHB

CEO/President, Tooketree Passive Homes

Melinda’s career has centred around environmental, community, social, and economic sustainability since the beginning. Co-founder of Tooketree Passive Homes, she has acted as CEO since 2015. Previously she was General Manager of the innovative worker cooperative, Fourth Pig Green & Natural Construction, established in 2007.

Melinda is a Certified Passive House Builder and BCIN designer with a Master’s in Environmental Studies. An active volunteer, she is a founding board member of the Lake of Bays Renewable Energy Coop, founding member and past Chair of the Muskoka Community Land Trust and Vice Chair of the Muskoka Housing Task Force. 

Melinda loves gardening and swimming in the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Melinda is grateful to be raising her son and building community here.

Tom Grochmal

CEO/Founder, Trim Tab Energy Retrofits

Tom is a professional engineer who grew up in a family that ran a heating and cooling business serving homeowners for over 30 years. Tom branched out and made a career in the utility sector, responsible for the design and delivery of energy efficiency programs for homes and businesses with his work for Enbridge Gas. Tom believes in the power of energy efficiency to improve quality of life.

Joshua Sherrard

Director of Energy Efficiency and Quality Assurance. International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers

Joshua Sherrard is the director of Energy Efficiency and Quality Assurance with the International association of Heat and Frost Insulators. He has been in the Mechanical insulation business for 20 years, he is a third-generation red seal certified insulator, Apprentice/safety Instructor, and extensive experience around mechanical insulation energy savings.

Throughout his career, Josh has demonstrated strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of staying ahead of the industry norms in the construction industry. His expertise includes project management, estimating, scheduling, safety, applications guides and cost controls.

As the director of energy efficiency, Josh collaborates directly with clients to assess the insulation standards of their facilities, identify areas for improvement, estimate potential cost savings, determine carbon reduction opportunities, and explore available incentives for such projects.

He is deeply committed to providing his clients with the highest level of customer service and quality. He understands that every project is unique and strives to meet the individual needs and preferences of each client.