TORONTO — Jana Elbrecht, senior policy advisor at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to Build Canada Homes’ newly released Investment Policy Framework.
“We are pleased to see the framework recognize that new affordable housing should avoid unnecessary emissions and remain affordable to operate in the long term. We look forward to seeing how these priorities will be put into practice as specific investment criteria for all projects going forward.
“The Build Canada Homes Policy Framework includes a commitment to support low-carbon building materials and efficient design, which our research shows can cut both carbon and cost. As embodied emissions now make up the majority of an efficient, electrified building’s lifetime emissions, choosing the right building materials and processes matters. Choosing low-carbon is often also choosing Canadian, supporting frontrunners in our material industries as they move toward cleaner production.
“We also welcome the framework’s emphasis on energy efficiency and climate performance. Efficient homes cost less to heat and cool, saving households money on their energy bills from the first day they move in and every month thereafter.
“An important opportunity the framework misses is an explicit requirement for new homes to be built ready for an electrified future. This would include ensuring homes are EV-ready and energy smart, and, where cost-efficient, choosing an efficient electrified heat pump system from the start. Doing so not only reduces ongoing energy costs but can also make it easier for households to access and benefit from other money-saving technologies like smart thermostats and at-home EV charging.
“Making homes climate resilient also means ensuring the families that live in them have access to cooling during ever-hotter and more dangerous summers. The government can lead by example by making every cooling system a heat pump in homes built as part of the Build Canada Homes initiative. A heat pump functions like a two-way air conditioning system, offering both affordable heating as well as cooling, and can be paired with a gas or electric system where it is cost-efficient to do so.
“Public dollars should support homes that are truly affordable and that do not lock us into unnecessary emissions. With the right requirements in place, Canada can build homes that are ready for a clean energy future while cutting emissions from day one.”
KEY FACTS
- Recent research by Clean Energy Canada, conducted in partnership with Chandos Construction and Ha/f Climate Designs, shows that using cleaner materials and smarter design can be done at no or negligible extra cost—and in some cases can even bring overall construction costs down.
- The average Canadian household can save around $3,000 annually by driving an electric vehicle rather than an equivalent gas car.
- While 96% of current EV drivers have access to at-home charging, those living in apartments still face significant barriers to accessing what is often the cheapest and most convenient way to charge.
- Constructing an EV-ready building is three to four times cheaper than retrofitting the same building later on to install charging infrastructure.
- Climate change is increasing the number of dangerously hot days in Canada, creating health risks for Canadians without cooling.
