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Canada

Code Development

Summary
Summary

Canada’s federal government does not have authority to pass mandatory building codes. Thus, both of the residential and commercial codes are model codes and have to be adopted by provinces and territories. The first attempt at a national energy code in Canada dates back to 1978, when the government approved Measures for Energy Conservation in New Buildings. Much of the code was designed based on the ASHRAE 90.1 Standard. The most recent version of a model energy code, National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB), was released in 2011 and covers residential and commercial buildings. Smaller buildings are covered by energy efficiency provisions under Part 9 of National Building Code of Canada (NBC) that dates back to 2010. The most recent revision of the energy efficiency provisions of NBC Part 9 for Housing and Small Buildings took place in 2012.

Start Year
Exact Start Year
1 978
Start Year Range
< 1980
Revision Schedule
Yes, a revision schedule exists
Revision Schedule Explanation

In Canada, model national building, plumbing and fire codes are updated on a five-year cycle. The next energy code will be published in 2015, which will align with the publication of all other national model codes. Such timing of the process is meant to simplify the adoption process for provinces and territories. 

Existing Code Coverage
Commercial
Residential
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement
Websites
Public Meeting or Conference or Newsletter
Best Practices
New Buildings

Code Implementation - Compliance & Enforcement

Administrative/Enforcement Structures

Enforcement model: Mix of approaches (local government and third party). Typically, a local government inspector checks major phases of construction to completion. Provincial government provides training and certification for building practitioners. The national government provides tools and training resources. Some jurisdictions in Canada use third-party enforcements to ensure compliance with the local code. 

Compliance Checking on Design
Yes, compliance is checked on Design
Compliance Checking on Construction
Yes, compliance is checked on Construction
Compliance Checking on Pre-Occupancy
Air Tightness testingy
Commissioning before occupancy NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Commissioning after occupancy
Compliance Software Residential NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Compliance Software Non-Residential
Yes, Software exists
Penalties for non-compliance
Refusal Permission to construct
Refusal Permission to occupy
Publication of names of property owners who fail to comply
Incentives and Recognition program for compliance
Incentives and Recognition program for compliance
Awards/Grants/Tax Breaks
Finance/Loans/Ratings

Canada offers tax credits, low-interest loans for building energy efficiency, and building energy rating programs. Buildings can apply for Building ENERGY STAR scores and get recognition for good performance. 

Compliance Rate monitoringe
Compliance Rate Publicised NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Compliance Lessons Learned NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Compliance Energy Use Statistics
Compliance Rate in % NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details

Capacity Building and Education

Awareness Raising
Awareness raising
Resourse kits
Compliance Training
Online resources -

Online resources include: www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/buildings/capacity-building-resources/3709 

www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/solutions/advisory/codes_centre_index.html

Guide for energy auditing: www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/oee/pdf/publications/infosource/pub/cipec/energy-audit-manual-and-tool.pdf

Building materials

Building Materials Ratings
Building Materials Ratings
Reference standards included in codes
Tested by certified test labs

Energy performance of buildings materials is tested and certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Energy efficiency verification labels from CSA Group demonstrate that a product met the energy efficiency requirements outlined by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Canadian provincial energy efficiency regulations, California Energy Commission (CEC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Energy Performance Certificates

EPC Implementation

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