Sustainable Office Buildings
As one of the largest landlords in the country and given the major impact buildings have on the environment, the federal government is working to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations related to real property. To that effect:
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that new buildings it constructs be at least 25 percent more energy efficient than the Model National Energy Code for Buildings and that buildings it renovates be at least 15% more energy efficient. The mid-life refit of the Surrey Taxation Centre in British Columbia is an example of this commitment.
All new government office buildings must now meet Canada Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED - Canada) Gold level. The Government of Canada anticipates that their two recently completed projects, the Greenstone Building in Yellowknife and the 740 Bel-Air Building in Montreal, Quebec will meet the certification requirements for a LEED Gold building. Another project currently under construction, the Jean Canfield Government of Canada Building in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is also aiming to meet the LEED Gold level.
The same sustainable principles applied to Crown-owned facilities will be applied to long-term leased space. Office Buildings with new long-term leases will also have to meet the LEED-Canada Gold level. Since 2004, other types of leases for office buildings are already subjected to "green leases" provision.
Also, the Government of Canada is committed to operating and maintaining its facilities in the most environmental responsible manner. To this effect Public Works and Government Services Canada announced that it would adhere to the BOMA Go Green Comprehensive programme for Crown-Owned office buildings.
Visit these Web sites to learn more about our efforts to design and construct environmentally responsible buildings.
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