REPORT
Energy Efficiency: The “Made-in-Canada” Resource Exploring the role of demand-side management in building a more self-reliant and resilient CanadaJune 16, 2025About the report
A shifting geopolitical landscape, particularly the uncertainty sparked by the Trump administration’s disruptive reemergence in U.S. politics, has prompted reflection on how Canada can lessen its reliance on increasingly volatile trade relationships and strengthen its national economic resilience.
Canada has a readily available resource within its borders: energy efficiency. It can literally and figuratively insulate us from global economic turbulence while building strength in a clean energy economy.
This report shows that Canada has the companies, knowledge, and infrastructure to deliver homegrown solutions. It outlines important trade relationships in relevant sub-sectors of energy efficiency and provides strategies to further strengthen Canada’s economic resilience by increasing local buying and production, trade diversification, and support for Canadian innovation.
Authors
Brendan Haley
Sr. Director of Policy Strategy
Carol Maas
Policy Research Associate
Key report findings
Energy efficiency is a largely local, made-in-Canada, tariff-proof resource.
This report shows that Canada already manufactures and assembles a wide range of energy efficiency products within its borders, using Canadian expertise. Strategies requiring little to no material inputs, like retro-commissioning and energy management systems, offer immediate protection against trade disruptions.
Products and components not made locally are largely sourced from globally competitive, flexible supply chains.
Canadians have the professional and engineering expertise to work around potential supply chain disruptions.
We can implement strategies to further strengthen Canadian self-reliance and resilience.
Buying and producing more locally, diversifying trade, and promoting innovations can help Canada gain strength in global value chains. Growing and coordinating energy efficiency demands can further transform supply chains to become more productive and more Canadian.