Our homes and buildings are where we  live, work, study and gather. They are important to our well-being and a strong economy and as spaces for social interaction — but they are also Canada’s third-biggest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Decarbonizing the buildings sector is therefore critical to meeting Canada’s 2030 climate target and achieving a net-zero economy by 2050.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced the launch of a public engagement process for the Canada Green Buildings Strategy.

The Canada Green Buildings Strategy will seek to mobilize national action to reduce emissions by 37 percent from 2005 by 2030 and to create a net-zero-emissions buildings sector by 2050. The Strategy will focus on increasing the rate of building retrofits, ensuring buildings are resilient and net-zero-ready from the start, and on transforming space and water heating. It will be backed by $150 million, as committed to in Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan.     

Canadians’ input to the Canada Green Buildings Strategy is essential to ensure that it reflects the priorities of people living in Canada and enables all to contribute to greening our built environment. Add your voice to the discussion of reaching net zero in the buildings sector. Have your say!

Greening our homes and buildings will require all of our efforts. With collaboration at the federal, provincial and territorial levels, the Canada Green Buildings Strategy will create local jobs across Canada and move us toward a resilient, net-zero-emissions buildings sector by 2050.

Quick facts

• There are over 16 million dwellings and 482,000 commercial and public buildings in Canada. Buildings account for 13 percent of Canada’s direct greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Canada Green Buildings Council estimates that Canada’s green buildings industry could support approximately 1.5 million direct jobs by 2030, up from 462,000 today.
• The GICB program is an integral part of Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan, providing $1.5 billion over five years toward green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new, publicly accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada.
• Provincial, territorial, municipal and regional governments, public sector bodies and not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations interested in the GICB program are invited to apply on the Infrastructure Canada website.
• Announced in December 2020, Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan includes 64 new measures and $15 billion in investments toward a healthy environment and economy.

Associated links

• The Canada Green Buildings Strategy
• Energy Efficiency
• Energy Efficiency for buildings
• Toward net-zero homes and communities
• Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
• Strengthened Climate Plan