Polling shows widespread support for net-zero buildings as national codes published

OTTAWA, March 28, 2022 — Today the National Research Council quietly released the latest version of Canada’s national model building codes. Originally slated for 2020, the model codes provide a template for provinces to adopt into law as their provincial building code.

While building codes typically define a minimum standard, this version provides a series of performance tiers that lead towards making all new buildings net-zero energy-ready (NZER) – a building is so energy efficient it can easily supply its own energy needs with on-site renewable generation.

Newly released polling by Efficiency Canada, a research organization based at Carleton University, shows that provincial governments that require all new buildings to be highly energy efficient have strong public support.

The polling was conducted by Abacus Data. Key findings include:

• Nationally, 70 per cent either strongly support or support making every new building net-zero energy-ready, and only four per cent oppose.
• The strongest support is found in Québec and BC, where net-zero energy-ready buildings were either strongly supported or supported by 77 per cent.
• The lowest level of support is in Alberta, where a clear majority (60 per cent) strongly support or support net-zero codes, and only seven per cent oppose.
• Public support is consistent across urban and rural residents; income earners; and owners and renters.

See full polling data in backgrounder document.

“Provincial governments across the country have public support in making all new buildings highly energy efficient. Each province should be adopting this national model code and moving up its performance tiers towards making every building constructed compatible with a net-zero emissions future,” says Kevin Lockhart, Efficiency Canada’s Research Manager.

Canada’s climate plan includes a goal for all new buildings to meet the net-zero energy-ready standard by 2030. The Liberal Party campaigned on accelerating this to 2025 in the last federal election. To date British Columbia is the only province that has committed to a net-zero code.

To ensure the national government can meet its new timeline, Efficiency Canada is calling for a $200 million acceleration fund to support training and market readiness in each province and territory in the upcoming federal budget.

About Efficiency Canada

Efficiency Canada is the national voice for an energy efficient economy. We envision a future where Canada uses energy efficiency to its fullest potential. This means maximizing the benefits of energy efficiency resulting in a sustainable environment, a productive economy, and a just and equitable society.

Efficiency Canada is housed at Carleton University’s Sustainable Energy Research Centre, which is located on the traditional unceded territories of the Algonquin nation.

www.efficiencycanada.org 

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Gillian Welsey, Director of Communications, Efficiency Canada

media@efficiencycanada.org