Government Operations Committee on April 16th, 2013

[Doug Cane]

You have to realize there are only a few provinces, a few jurisdictions in this country that have an energy requirement, if that's what we're talking about here. The national building code would apply. The provinces adopt the safety aspects of the national building code, but there hasn't been the same adoption of energy codes. Ontario has one. Vancouver has one. The rest of the province of British Columbia has a separate code from Vancouver's. Quebec has one, an old one, but nonetheless an energy efficiency requirement.

None of the other provinces have energy efficiency requirements for their buildings, if you're not aware of that.

[Ron Cannan, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

This is a supplemental. Mr. Dalgleish commented on setting energy targets. How do you come up with them? There were some arbitrary numbers sent out, but do you have any examples from an industry perspective that we could set as realistic goals, sort of graduated goals?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Peter Braid]

You have 10 seconds.

[Doug Cane]

I could just say that I'm aware that work has been done at the National Energy Code for Buildings 2011 committee. They're projecting levels for 2015, which they're going to put forward at that time. I can't tell you what they are—they vary by building type—but there is work in that area.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Peter Braid]

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Cannan.

In our remaining one minute, I understand that Mr. McCallum has one burning question, and then we'll wrap up.

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

I have one question, but it's a good one for all three of you. In a sense it goes to the heart of what we're doing, because Mr. Dalgleish said the key thing was for the federal government to take leadership in this area.

What I would like to ask each of you briefly is whether you agree with that statement by Mr. Dalgleish that the federal government should take leadership, and more importantly, if so, what are the one or two things that you think the federal government should do?

[Dean Karakasis]

I'll agree. The federal government can take leadership if it so chooses.

The things to do are: number one, measure your inventory and understand where you are; number two, set targets that you think they should be at. There's lot of data out there to draw from. Use some industry norms. Be better than them if you like, and set that as your target. Number three, you have to invest to hit it.

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

Thank you.

[Doug Cane]

I think the federal government should concentrate a lot of its effort in getting the provinces to adopt this latest version of the national code. I know it's going to be tough sledding, but it is something that's adjusted to climate and it can take into account energy cost. So it should apply anywhere in this country.

[Brian Staszenski]

I agree with the previous two statements and also with creating the revolving fund. I think that's a good one. That makes all kinds of economic sense.

In terms of leadership you're our leaders, so lead away.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

On that note then, Mr. Staszenski, I thank you very much for being with us here again and for your very concrete and very useful recommendations.

Also, Mr. Cane, thank you again for taking the trouble to be with us here today. Mr. Karakasis, thank you for your patience and your testimony.

We are going to add your remarks to our final report. I'm sure you will recognize many of the good comments and recommendations you have made when you read the report. So I hope you will feel your time was worthwhile.

I'm going to suspend the meeting briefly while our witnesses leave the room and then we'll reconvene on an in camera basis to discuss some future business.

[Proceedings continue in camera]