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Canada Green Building Council announces 100th LEED certified building

“Regardless of the building type, every LEED Canada certified project is proof of the industry’s commitment to the advancement of high performance and energy efficient buildings in Canada,” said Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of the CaGBC. “We congratulate the visionaries behind these latest LEED projects. The building industry is showing real leadership by voluntarily adopting rigorous new standards to reduce the environmental impacts from buildings, while realizing economic benefits through operating efficiencies and enhancing the quality of life for building occupants.”
 
The 100th Canadian building to be certified under the commercial LEED Canada rating system is MintoMidtown, a dual-tower residential complex in downtown Toronto. The towers together feature 876 residential suites, commercial office and ground floor retail space, and subway access.
 
Achieving Gold certification under LEED Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations, MintoMidtown incorporates extensive energy and water conservation systems, among other features. Motion sensor stairwell lighting, “all-off” in-suite lighting controls (that allow residents to turn off all fixed lighting at one master switch), a system of rainwater collection for outdoor irrigation, a recycling program, an initiative to create demand for green power, and indoor water conservation measures are just some of the features of the development.

Two private residences were also recently certified by the CaGBC under the new LEED Canada for Homes rating system.
 
Discovery 3 House, in Red Deer, Alberta, achieved a LEED Canada for Homes Platinum certification. Avalon Master Builder built this Net-Zero home, which produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. This was achieved by using the latest in energy efficient construction techniques and equipment, and installing a renewable (solar) energy system. Discovery 3 also uses a greywater recycling system to dramatically reduce demand for potable water.
 
Baston Home, in West Vancouver, B.C., was built by Leading Homes and certified LEED Canada for Homes Gold. The house includes a high performance heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, high efficiency appliances and lighting to conserve water and energy, greywater and exhaust air heat recovery systems, 100 per cent water recapture, and a saltwater swimming pool that is heated by solar-power. 
 
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third-party certification program and an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings and homes. It provides building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance.
 
For more information on the CaGBC visit www.cagbc.org. For information on the 2nd Annual National Green Building Summit, visit www.everybuildingcanbegreen.ca.