CAGBC Award winners

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Winner: Michael Brooks, CEO of REALPAC
Brooks started with REALPAC in 1997, after completing an MBA at the Schulich School of Business and a PhD in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo. During his time with REALPAC, Brooks has led many initiatives to support the commercial real estate industry in meeting government and market expectations on green building, decarbonization, and ESG. These include the first corporate social responsibility guidelines in North America for commercial real estate companies, the first Green Lease in North America, and, along with CAGBC, the first benchmarking program and target for energy use in commercial buildings.Brooks was part of many Boards and committees which helped shape sustainability in the real estate sector in Canada and internationally.  He participated in a special multi-country global group of experts that developed the Construction and Real Estate Sector Supplement (CRESS) for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI, 2010-2013), was a special advisor to the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (Property Working Group,) and served on the Board of GRESB (Green Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark).  He currently is one of three business advisors to the Canadian federal government’s Sustainable Development Advisory Council and is on the Board of the World Green Building Council.

Zero Carbon Design:

Sponsored by East Port Properties

Winner: Collège Sainte-Anne, Dorval, Quebec
The Collège Sainte-Anne campus project includes the construction of two new pavilions that are certified with CAGBC’s Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard. Located in Dorval, Quebec, this project also includes the complete renovation of an existing elementary pavilion. With sustainability as a core tenant, the College brought together a team building professionals, construction managers, and teachers to form a task force focused on reducing the buildings’ energy consumption and limiting embodied carbon, while remaining within budget. Energy modelling was performed throughout the integrated design process to optimize the buildings’ overall performance through high-performance envelopes and passive heating features 

Deep Carbon Retrofit:

Sponsored by  Entuitive

Winner:  Scotia Plaza’s 100 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario
With Scotia Plaza’s 100 Yonge Street building in Toronto, the owner sought to upgrade its outdated mechanical and HVAC systems, while also increasing its overall energy efficiency and limiting disruption to existing tenants. The owner’s efforts to prioritize energy efficiency and carbon reductions resulted in the complete elimination of fossil fuel consumption and an estimated annual reduction of 600 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. The installation of an air source heat pump, capable of operating at temperatures as low as -30°C, was a pioneering achievement in cold climate markets and demonstrates the feasibility of market-ready solutions to achieve deep carbon reductions in Canada. 

New Construction:

Sponsored by  Morguard Investments

Winner: Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Red River College Polytechnic, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Manitou a bi Bii daziigae translates from Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) to where the creator sits and brings light. This 100,00 sq. ft. building represents Indigenous knowledge, teachings, and traditions while also blending modernity and heritage. Through its adaptive re-use of the historically designated Scott Fruit building and a four-story addition connected to Red River College Polytechnic’s Roblin Centre, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae offers a template of how to maintain the character of historical buildings while improving performance. The new building features a dynamic envelope of photovoltaic glass, generating energy and changing color based on weather and viewing angle. Inside, the design incorporates diverse light-filled spaces and Indigenous design elements and artwork. 

Inspiring Home:

Sponsored by Enbridge

Winner:  Lauberivière, Québec, Québec
The Lauberivière is a shelter for people at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness in the city of Québec. The new seven level, 10,000-square-metre building offers secure spaces for workers and volunteers to provide community support services, a variety of housing accommodations, a medical clinic, and community kitchen that served over 144,000 meals to community members in 2022 alone. Lauberivière also focuses on sustainability, demonstrating a 47.7 percent reduction in GHG emissions from baseline, recovering heat from the kitchen’s refrigeration systems to pre-heat domestic hot water, a green roof and community garden, and an innovative aluminum cladding system that reduced the building’s embodied carbon. 

Green Building Champion:

Winner: Kathy Wardle, Principal & Director of Sustainability, Perkins&Will 
An interdisciplinary leader with two decades of experience, Kathy Wardle advocates for higher performing, healthy, and resilient buildings. A recognized leader in thought and practice, Wardle played a role in many of the first LEED-certified projects in British Columbia. She served on CAGBC’s Women in Green advisory committee, lectured at academic institutions and industry events, and advised clients on policy development. Presently spearheading Perkins&Will’s ESG strategy, Wardle recently chaired the Dar Group Sustainability Council, representing its global network of companies at COP 27. She is currently leading implementations of CAGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Standard for several developers, including University of Calgary and University of British Columbia projects. Wardle is a City of Vancouver C40 Women for Climate mentor, helping empower the next generation of leaders.  

Green Building Visionary

Winner:  Nerva Energy Group Inc. 
With AeroBarrier, Nerva Energy Group sought to create an innovative envelope-sealing technology and change how buildings can reduce their heating and cooling energy needs, improve indoor air quality, and ultimately reduce their GHG emissions. AeroBarrier is an interior-applied air sealing system that seals all building envelope leaks up to 5/8”. It is GreenGuard Gold certified, has zero VOC content, and contains no ‘Red List’ components, allowing it to be safely applied in any building, including those applying for LEED, WELL, or Fitwel certification. In a successful Toronto-based multi-residential building pilot, Nerva Energy Group demonstrated that significant energy and GHG reductions can be obtained with little to no impact on standard construction schedules. 

Emerging Green Leader:

Sponsored by DIALOG

Winner: Hillary Geer, Energy Specialist, EQ Building Performance  
Hillary Geer is the lead energy consultant and WELL AP on several high-profile projects in Southwestern Ontario, including the Baker District redevelopment in Guelph and the Etobicoke Civic Centre in Toronto. She is also involved in numerous high-performance residential and commercial developments pursuing certifications such as LEED, Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard, WELL, One Planet Living, Toronto Green Standard, and Passive House. Geer actively advocates for sustainable design through seminars, collaborations, and by volunteering as an Emerging Green Professional mentor. Her strong mechanical background and commitment to climate-positive design drive her involvement in novel initiatives and leadership roles at EQ Building Performance, as well as industry collaborations supporting energy and sustainability.   

Government Leadership:

Sponsored by Stantec

Winner: André Cazelais, MGP, arch. Head of the Ecological Transition and Innovation Department, Building Planning and Management Service, City of Montréal 
For over 30 years, André Cazelais has been at the forefront of the City of Montreal’s efforts to adopt and encourage green building policies. He was instrumental in the development and launch of the City’s 2009 Green Building Plan, requiring all new City buildings to obtain LEED Gold certification, and resulting in almost 40 new LEED-Gold buildings. In 2020, Cazelais and his team reviewed and updated the existing policy to target the elimination of 30,000 tonnes of CO₂e, aligning with the City’s 2020-2030 Climate Plan. Cazelais also led an initiative requiring external professionals working with the City to obtain LEED accreditation, developing a labour pool capable of successfully delivering LEED certified projects. A passionate advocate for CAGBC, Cazelais has received numerous awards recognizing his volunteerism. 

Andy Kesteloo Memorial Project:

Winning Project Title: Deep Retrofit Study for SFU – Exploring Energy Conservation Measures
Group Members: Danielle Arciaga, Gurvaani Dhani, Manin Khunger, Simran Pandher and Clara Park
This ambitious project focused on the decarbonization of the Discovery 1 Building at Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Burnaby campus. The aim of the project was to help SFU reduce their operational GHG emissions to 50 percent of 2007 levels by 2025. The team explored different retrofit approaches and how they affect building energy efficiency and carbon emissions, and explored related economic opportunities while giving back to the SFU community. Aligned with the university’s 2025 Sustainability Plan, this project consisted of an Energy Conservations Measure (ECM) study that considered the building’s major components, namely the mechanical system, lighting system, building envelope, on-site renewable energy generation, and building automation.

New Construction:

Sponsored by Morguard Investments

Winner: Local 144 – Plumbers’ Union Head Office and Training Facility
As the first LEED BD+C v4 NC Platinum-certified building in Canada, this project showcases how sustainability and green building practices can enhance the industrial sector and provide healthy, comfortable and efficient spaces for workers in all fields. With impressive energy conservation and water reduction features, Local 144 serves as an inspiration for the future of the built environment. 

Existing Building:

Winner: Bentall Centre, Vancouver, BC
Powered 100% by renewable electricity and carbon neutral across all operations, the Bentall Centre consists of four LEED Platinum towers totaling 1.5 million sf of commercial and retail space. The Bentall Centre’s property management and engineering teams are laser-focused on furthering sustainable operations as it relates to energy management and efficiency, reducing water consumption, increasing waste diversion, optimizing occupant health and safety, and effectively engaging tenants on their role in the Bentall Centre’s sustainability efforts.

Inspiring Home:

Sponsored by Enbridge

Winner: Multifaith Housing Initiative – Veterans’ House, Ottawa, ON
This 3-storey, 40-unit residential project has created a healthy living space for homeless veterans in Ottawa while incorporating leading green building practices into its development. With reductions in energy use of 43% and in carbon emissions of 57% below the reference model, Veterans’ House demonstrates the ways in which environmental leadership and significant social benefits can be accomplished simultaneously.

Zero Carbon:

Sponsored by East Port Properties

Winner: Roam Transit Operations and Training Centre, Banff, AB
The Roam Transit Operations and Training Centre represents the unprecedented integration of several low carbon technologies including ultra-efficient mechanical systems, a super-insulated building envelope, district heating, a biomass waste-to-energy operation, solar photovoltaics, and electric bus charging. The Centre supports the operations of the Roam Transit bus fleet, encouraging the shift to alternative transportation in Banff National Park. A 302.6 kW solar array over the bus storage roof areas offsets the electricity use of the facility and provides for the charging of the electric bus fleet.  

Deep Carbon Retrofit:

Sponsored by Entuitive

Winner: 500 MacNab Ken Soble Tower EnerPHit 
The Ken Soble tower is considered North America’s first EnerPHit retrofit of a residential tower, and the largest residential Passive House retrofit in the world. Measures implemented, including a high-performance building envelop and upgrades to its mechanical systems, led to an impressive 94 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The revitalization of the Ken Soble Tower created 146 new affordable, comfortable, and climate resilient living units for seniors.  

Green Building Champion:

Sponsored by  DIALOG

Winner: Alan DeSousa, Mayor of Saint Laurent  
For over 13 years, Mayor Alan DeSousa has championed the cause for green buildings in the Saint Laurent borough of Montreal, as well as across Québec and Canada, as an integral component of sustainable development. As the Montreal executive committee member responsible for sustainable development for over 11 years, Mayor DeSousa has been the architect of the City of Montreal’s environmental and sustainable development policies, plans and programs over the past decade. He is a frequent guest speaker on sustainable development issues, including green building policy, and has addressed audiences at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Americana and the Canada Green Building Council. As current Vice-Chair of the Green Municipal Fund Council of the FCM, he has advocated for green building certification in FCM building programs for municipalities across our country. 

Green Building Pioneer:

Sponored by Enwave

Winner: Multiplex Construction Canada Ltd. 
Multiplex has been at the forefront of sustainable construction in Canada. As the first Canadian construction company to set a GHG reduction target in line with the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi), the first contractor signatory of the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Commitment and through its integration of sustainability practices into each division, from bid pursuits and pre-construction to procurement and operations, Multiplex aims to lead the industry towards a more sustainable future.  

Emerging Green Leader:

Winner: Michael Mousa
A Sustainability Consultant with DIALOG, Michael’s achievements in advocacy and community building has established him as a leader in the field. Through his involvement with the Carbon Leadership Forum Toronto and Toronto Clean Energy Partnership, and his mentorship of young engineers at the University of Toronto, Michael’s passion for climate action and his dedication to the community has inspired many, especially those from under-represented groups, to pursue their goals and a career in green building.  

Government Leadership:

Sponsored by Stantec

Winner: Global Affairs Canada – International Platform Branch
Global Affairs Canada’s pursued and achieved the first international Zero Carbon Building Certification at their Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva, Switzerland in late 2021. The Geneva ZCB certification demonstrated GAC’s leadership in greening its global portfolio of 178 missions in 110 countries. Additionally, the certification demonstrated leadership within the Canadian government and other nations’ foreign affairs departments encouraging the reduction of their portfolio’s emissions. It has shown to other federal departments that implementation of the Zero Carbon Building Standard at an existing building is feasible and was aligned with Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Greening Government Strategy requirements and the goal for government operations to be net-zero by 2050.

Inspired Educator:

Winner: Nancy Bosscha, Bow Valley College
A member of Bow Valley College’s Green Sustainability committee for over a decade, Nancy has sought to enhance the education of her students at every opportunity. In advocating for sustainable material selection, inviting a wide array of guest speakers to her courses and incorporating emerging concepts such as circularity to her teachings, her contributions to sustainability at Bow Valley College and the education of its graduates are inspiring. 

Ed Lim Technical Expertise Volunteer Award:

Winner: Christian Cianfrone 
A founding member of the Zero Carbon Steering Committee for four years and member of the Energy and Engineering TAG from 2010 to 2018, Christian brings an expertise in low energy design to his various CAGBC committee posts and believes that we must always be pushing harder. In addition to his work with CAGBC, Christian has sat on the Energy and Engineering TAG of the USGBC and the Climate Change Mitigation Committee of the City of Calgary. His expertise has helped develop and deliver several key educational courses for CAGBC related to the topics of LEED documentation, as well as the NECB and how it intersects with the LEED rating system.  

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric

Winner: Joanne Perdue
Joanne is a recognized Canadian innovator and collaborator in capacity building for sustainability and climate action leadership. She is an architect, a Canada Clean50 Honoree and a LEED Fellow. Joanne founded the University of Calgary’s Office of Sustainability in 2007, and since then the University has attained multiple recognitions as one of Canada’s top universities in sustainability performance including a Times Higher Education top 5 percent global ranking for progress in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for the past three years. She is an ardent supporter of preparing future leaders and of empowering women to accelerate the transformation to a sustainable future.