Retrofit Canada Conference

Canada’s only retrofit conference will head to Montreal on June 13-14, 2023. The theme of this year’s event: What market transformation is required to scale up the retrofit sector across Canada?

Aligned with Canada’s 2050 net-zero emissions goal, the plan to retrofit more buildings needs to be accelerated and scaled up. To start meeting the latest industry targets of 4-5% annual retrofits, the industry requires a transformation. The ongoing electrification and energy efficiency strategy is critical to achieve grid stability. Resilience is also a priority for future-proofing real estate, due to increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather, and this upgrade can be combined with efficiency and decarbonization plans.

The Government of Canada is investing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program, including the Resilience Montreal building to make it more energy efficient. Over 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

The call for applications for two new initiatives to accelerate building retrofits: the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative (DRAI) and the Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program (GNPP) has been launched. The $200-million Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative will invest in projects that support the development of deep retrofits in commercial, institutional or mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings across Canada. The $35.5-million Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program will support up to six communities across Canada in developing integrated approaches to deep energy retrofits — or a major building renovation project — such as upgrading building walls and insulation or upgrading space heating equipment.

With a number of important nationwide policy and regulation updates for existing buildings on the horizon, the 3rd annual Retrofit Canada Conference will bring together the key stakeholders – non-profits, private firms, civil society, municipalities, provinces and territories, and Indigenous organizations and groups – from the country’s retrofit sector to discuss what is needed to transform this market.