Government Operations Committee on April 18th, 2013

[John McBain]

I can't say that we are tracking it. It is a key part of our Workplace 2.0 initiative, which is about improved quality, more productive workplaces. We're talking about greater access to natural light and improved air handling, fewer interior walls, which allows for the air to be more efficient. So that is very much a part of what we're rolling out in our Workplace 2.0 strategy that was announced in Budget 2012. Workplace 2.0 is moving to the next level.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

I was wondering if there were any facts and figures you could share that would help add to the argument that when you make a sick building into—

[John McBain]

—a healthy building,

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

—it has an impact on the people who work in it.

[Geoff Munro]

There are lots of private sector studies around that. I can't give you aggregate statistics, but I made the point earlier about our using our own facilities as living laboratories.

Back to the LEED gold, LEED platinum question, we've built a laboratory in Hamilton—I referred to it earlier—targeted for LEED platinum. It is a living lab where we are monitoring things like the ambient environment and whether that increases or decreases productivity, etc. It's too early to give you an answer, but we are working on it.

The one in Quebec, where we reduced the cost by some 45% plus, is the same thing: we're monitoring what changes in temperature or adjustments in the amount of exterior light, etc., give in the way of productivity. It's too early to tell, but we are on that track.

If I may, while I have the microphone, Mr. McCallum, regarding the one observation you made about the million dollars, I would point out that those were annual savings. So those do accumulate.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

It does accumulate.

[Geoff Munro]

Yes, it does accumulate.

[Carol Buckley]

All FBI projects taken to date are today saving us $43 million a year, so the chart is just showing each new project.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Forty-three million dollars a year.

[Carol Buckley]

Yes, so it's $43 million each year, because of the projects that have been in place since the early nineties. The chart is just showing you the new projects each year that will be adding savings to that $43 million.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

We are completely out of time now. I thank the witnesses.

We're going to suspend the meeting briefly while our guests leave the room, and we can reconvene in camera.

Thank you very much, everyone, for this wrap-up presentation.

[Proceedings continue in camera]