In response to interest in the recognition of leased tenant space in the LEED Canada, the CaGBC is proud to launch the Application Guide for Core and Shell Buildings and Leased Tenant Spaces, LEED^® Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations. The guide can be downloaded from the 'my documents' section of “MyCaGBC”. The document is free to CaGBC members, and available for $55 for non-members.

The LEED Canada Core and Shell certification applies to projects where the base building developer does not want to impose many LEED requirements on the tenants. The application guide describes how leased tenant spaces are to be treated within the LEED Canada rating system.

Specifically, the application guide covers two sets of requirements:

1.   The requirements leased spaces must meet in order for the overall building to achieve LEED Canada for New Construction certification.

2.   The requirements for LEED Canada Core and Shell certification.

The guide is relevant to new construction or major renovations projects with leased spaces. The application guide will be applied retroactively to allow everyone to benefit from its flexibility. Project teams now involved in the LEED Canada for New Construction certification process are encouraged to contact the CaGBC at 1-866-941-1184 or . 

It should be noted that there are differences between the US and Canadian Core and Shell rating systems.

A difference may be perceived in the point scale used for EAc1 (Optimized Energy Performance), however no real difference exists. The USGBC has adopted ASHRAE 90.1-2004 and the CaGBC still references ASHRAE 90.1-1999. The two systems are effectively equivalent.