Evidence of meeting #79 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was buildings.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
You will have to wait until the next round, I'm afraid.
Next for the NDP, Mr. Denis Blanchette.
NDP
Denis Blanchette NDP Louis-Hébert, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses for joining us this morning. Here, it's already past noon.
I will start with a question for our friends from Manitoba.
In your presentations, you really stressed the importance of digital controls. What I'd like to know is this. In terms of the energy savings, as far as your ability to save money and reach your targets goes, what portion do building renovations account for versus digital controls? How did that work for you?
Director of Operations, Operations Branch, Accomodation Services Division, Department of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Government of Manitoba
Is someone going to be providing translation for us for the question?
NDP
Director of Operations, Operations Branch, Accomodation Services Division, Department of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Government of Manitoba
No, we don't.
You're asking about DDC and you're asking about the thought behind the DDC. Is that correct?
NDP
Denis Blanchette NDP Louis-Hébert, QC
You talk a lot about your numeric control. You also talk of renovation. I want to know globally, what is the importance of one beside the others?
Director of Operations, Operations Branch, Accomodation Services Division, Department of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Government of Manitoba
We just want to make sure we're answering the question correctly. You're asking us why the emphasis on digital controls? Is that the question?
NDP
Denis Blanchette NDP Louis-Hébert, QC
What part of the improvements is based on numeric control, and what part is based on renovation?
Director of Operations, Operations Branch, Accomodation Services Division, Department of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Government of Manitoba
They go hand in hand. We would be undertaking energy efficiency initiatives and water efficiency initiatives in existing facilities, and also taking the opportunity, when it's new construction, to make sure that we're meeting energy and water targets for new construction. But at the same time, we are going through our existing portfolio and retrofitting with digital control systems. So it's all tied together. Sub-metering, all the different initiatives that Manitoba Hydro talked about, it's all done at the same time.
NDP
Denis Blanchette NDP Louis-Hébert, QC
Thank you.
I have an open question for both provinces. We don't want to make the same errors others have already made. What are the principal lessons learned from your experience?
Acting Director, Corporate Sustainability, Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government, Shared Services BC, Government of British Columbia
I can speak from B.C.'s perspective. Similar to what is happening in the industry, lessons learned include not sitting on the laurels of doing a project and making sure that whatever is implemented from an infrastructure perspective is followed through with good operations. It's connected with some of the things Manitoba has outlined with regard to recommissioning, retro-commissioning, making sure that the systems in place are operating the way they were designed to operate, and to follow through with good operations. Those are probably the most significant lessons learned. We shouldn't just spend money on good infrastructure; we should also focus on good operational practices, to make sure the infrastructure is operating well.
The other thing would be to maintain solid and clear policy relating to a mandate of energy efficiency. As I've mentioned, in B.C. we have been doing energy efficiency for three or so decades. We really got a boost when the legislation came in and the associated regulation and policy reinforced that mandate. Consequently, our efforts continue effectively because we do have that very clear mandate provincially that translates into a focused practice on a divisional level.
I would say those two are probably the most significant lessons learned for us.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
Thank you, sir.
Is there anybody from the Province of Manitoba who would like to chime in briefly?
Director, Green Building Coordination Team, Accomodation Services Division, Department of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Government of Manitoba
I suppose relative to our policy position we're not unlike B.C., moving from a green building policy focused on new construction and moving through the life.... So similarly our lesson is that we recognize the importance of green building operations, and we are in the process of establishing what those criteria are. Certainly, internally, we've also identified the value of ensuring that these buildings are operated on a continual basis, according to their optimal performance, and that comes up I think in all of our programs around this table.
Director of Operations, Operations Branch, Accomodation Services Division, Department of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Government of Manitoba
I would just add one thing, and B.C. highlighted this during their presentation. One of the most important things is partnerships. I would say that a lot of our success is from having partnerships with our utilities, and for other jurisdictions that don't have crowns, working with their utilities, and with our colleagues across government. There is a lot of left hand, right hand, and there are some huge lessons learned from other line departments and crown departments. Consistency in policy, too, is huge and sets the benchmark for everybody.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
Thank you very much. It's a point well taken.
Next, for the Conservatives, we have Mr. Dan Albas.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My mom encouraged me as a young boy to always try new things and to learn about things I know nothing about. Unfortunately, Mr. Chair, I have failed her, and I am going to continue to talk about things that I know about, which is British Columbia, so I'll be addressing my fellow British Columbians today.
I will also let you know, Mr. Chair, that getting up at 8 a.m. for a government meeting is easy for these guys. They can handle it.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC
I do believe so.
First of all, gentlemen, I'd like to focus specifically on your energy efficient building strategy. How many buildings does the Province of British Columbia occupy?
Acting Director, Corporate Sustainability, Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government, Shared Services BC, Government of British Columbia
In core government, there are over 2,000 buildings in our portfolio.
Executive Director, Ministry of Environment, Climate Action Secretariat, Carbon Neutral Government and Climate Action Outreach, Government of British Columbia
For the broader public sector it's about 6,500.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC
Approximately how many of the core buildings are leased?
Acting Director, Corporate Sustainability, Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government, Shared Services BC, Government of British Columbia
Eighty per cent of the commercial portfolio is leased. That's relative to space.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC
Is that the core, or is that inclusive of the other arm's-length agencies?
Acting Director, Corporate Sustainability, Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government, Shared Services BC, Government of British Columbia
That's core government. I expect it would be significantly less for the broader public sector because the health care and education sectors—
