Transport committee  So far we are pretty lucky, in that our garages are basically two-car garages. We have sourced a supplier that can do an EV charger, and therefore two EV chargers, at a very modest price of $3,000. That's all. I can install it as part of the building cost. With two cars, maybe one unit for the owner and the other for an additional dwelling, they can share the chargers at the same time, and the cost is very modest.

Transport committee  Yes. As you know, we have a geothermal system. Basically, all the heating and cooling power demands are handled by the geothermal system. What we need to do is install 13 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic panels on the rooftop, and that will basically take care of the power for lighting, cooking, video games and TV and so on.

Transport committee  In our case, we have used weather-resilient roofs. We use metal roofs, because it's easy for the solar panel installer to put the panel there. As we are using a more advanced metal roof—like the standing seam snap-lock mechanism—we have very strong roof protection for the solar panels, as well as for the roof.

Transport committee  When it comes to very technical stuff, to be honest, I don't know. Usually we have an assigned architect in Windsor who does the design in terms of cover and architectural, mechanical and even structural aspects. I count on them to do that for me.

Transport committee  Right now, it is a challenge for us. Basically, I don't think the municipality is ready for this kind of development and the buyers are not ready, but I believe it is a good challenge for us to put out homes at a price that the buyers can afford, which, as I've said, is very important.

Transport committee  Thank you for the question. I believe the biggest problem that the buyers have is usually the deposit. Even though we try to make the deposits as small as possible, I think what is most important right now for us is to lower the deposit for so-called eco-homes as much as possible.

Transport committee  I believe there's a lot the government could do to help. As I said in my opening speech, there are several areas that each level of government can participate in, and I think the federal government has already taken a really good step by announcing in the current budget the initiative for the owners of geothermal exchanges for ducting, heat pumps and so on.

Transport committee  Thank you. I'm happy to answer this question. Indeed, there's a big conflict between the price and the benefits that our eco-homes are bringing to the buyers. I believe that while these eco-features are costly, we have been able to do the project with an economy of scale so that when we talk to the geothermal guys or the solar panel vendors, we try to convince them that we are building not one house at a time but a whole subdivision so that we can get a bulk discount for all the infrastructure.

Transport committee  To recap, we are confident that net-zero homes are an attainable home product, with a slight premium, if the governments and the builders and homebuyers all work together. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Transport committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair and honourable members. My name is Wing Li, CEO of Windsor-based property developer Horizons Group. We are an eco-friendly developer in the Windsor and Essex County market, building sustainable homes at attainable prices. Today, Canada has about 40 million people living in 15 million homes.