Thank you, Benjamin.
In our remaining moments, I'm going to suggest that there are two key things that the Government of Canada can do to further its environmental performance and save taxpayer dollars at the same time. Both of these ways would optimize the management of the government's own stock of buildings in contrast to the excellent taxation-related proposals advocated by our colleagues at REALpac, which would improve the environmental and energy performance in the private sector stock of buildings.
First, there are nine custodial departments that are responsible for federal buildings. As Benjamin mentioned, BOMA BESt certification has demonstrated value in lowering energy consumption and costs for the buildings to which it is applied. Sometimes these environmental and cost savings are quite striking.
We therefore would urge the government to put the approximately 77% of its buildings that do not fall within the purview of Public Works through BOMA BESt assessment. This is the most environmental and cost-effective manner for the government to achieve its environmental and fiscal goals.
While a great number of federal buildings fall into our office category, we recognize that many other buildings, particularly those that fall outside of Public Works, will not fit within our current BOMA BESt modules. For instance, laboratories, prisons, and military bases each have their unique energy and environmental profiles given their particular uses. However, BOMA Canada is ready to work with other federal departments to assist in developing new assessment protocols and new modules that can be based on the unique needs of these buildings.
Second, with BOMA BESt’s demonstrated average energy reductions being 46% or better than the national average at the very highest level of certification, clear direction from the government to certify its buildings to the highest level of certification—level four—would translate into major reductions in energy usage and operational cost savings. While many buildings may require capital improvements to reach this level of environmental sustainability, the federal government is ideally suited to demonstrate the environmental and financial benefits to the commercial sector and society.
Setting targets for all federal buildings, not just those managed by Public Works, first to be assessed, then certified, and then to graduate to the highest level of certification is the very best way that the government can both respect taxpayers’ dollars and demonstrate its environmental leadership.
Thank you very much. Merci beaucoup.