PURPOSE Building, CAGBC receive funding

The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC), in partnership with Purpose Building Inc., announced funding from the Government of Canada to develop an initiative to help accelerate deep building retrofits. The Purpose Accelerator: Canada’s Private Sector Retrofit Accelerator aims to advance net-zero emissions goals in Canada’s private sector by creating multiple streams that standardize and accelerate deep retrofit projects for buildings across Canada.

“The Purpose Accelerator will revolutionize the retrofit landscape for privately held buildings and building portfolios,” said Laurna Strikwerda, Director of Program Development and Research at CAGBC. “Through the federal funding provided, we will help drive Canada’s building sector toward net-zero buildings and advance Canada’s climate goals.”

Funding for the project came from Natural Resources Canada’s Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative, which was announced on July 16, 2024, as part of the Canada Green Buildings Strategy.

“Canada’s Green Buildings Strategy is a plan to cut energy bills, make our homes more resilient, create strong Canadian supply chains, and support good jobs in every community. This investment in Purpose Building and the CAGBC under the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative is an important part of our plan to build more affordable and resilient communities,” said Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth.

This ambitious project will guide building owners and managers through their deep retrofit journey, providing crucial services and support for pre-development, development, and implementation of decarbonization projects. Targeted buildings include mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings, office buildings, warehouses and other buildings, and with additional guidance for low-income and Indigenous communities.

The Purpose Accelerator: Canada’s Private Sector Retrofit Accelerator promises significant benefits for Canadians, including encouraging climate resiliency and sustainable living and working environments, generating employment opportunities, fostering innovation and investments in the Canadian economy, increasing capacity building for deep retrofit development and implementation, and contributing to transforming the buildings sector to align with climate goals.

“This Accelerator will allow us to better support individual building owners with transitioning buildings within their portfolio, draw on experience from those projects, and generate insights and implementation tools to help lift the entire building sector,” said Eric Chisholm, Purpose Building Inc. ”Leveraging the expertise of Purpose Building Inc. and the Canada Green Building Council, we will share practical advice, tactics and case studies that will help elevate the ability of key players in the sector to deliver on zero carbon buildings.”

The Purpose Accelerator: Canada’s Private Sector Retrofit Accelerator is funded by the Government of Canada’s Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative. This funding is vital to accelerating the pace and increasing the scale of retrofits to transition the built environment to zero carbon emissions while also stimulating the economy and creating sustainable communities.

About the Canada Green Building Council

The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) champions Canada’s green building sector. CAGBC training, services, and certifications like LEED and the Zero Carbon Building Standards help the building sector design, construct and operate buildings that increase resilience and asset value, and reduce environmental impacts. Working collaboratively with members, industry, and government, we are building our way forward to a low-carbon, resilient future.

About Purpose Building Inc.

Purpose Building Inc. is an enterprise that was launched in 2018 as an employee-owned company to accelerate real estate to planet-positive performance. Members of the team have been leading sustainability initiatives for over 30 years. Purpose’s diversified clientele count on the team to deliver organizational strategies and building-level solutions for new development, existing buildings, and portfolios in all classes of real estate assets. With staff in Ontario, BC, Alberta and Quebec, Purpose serves clients across North America, including companies, institutions, governments, and industry associations. Learn more at www.purposebuilding.ca