CaGBC reaches 5,000th LEED registration
REMI

CaGBC reaches 5,000th LEED registration

Thursday, October 9, 2014

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) recently announced a major milestone in the evolution of green building in Canada with 5,000 projects now registered for LEED certification. This comes on the heels of a strong third quarter of 2014 that saw 132 registrations and 117 certifications between July 1 and September 30, bringing the total number of LEED certified projects in Canada to 1,878.

Year-to-date totals by LEED certification level:

  • 103 LEED Certified
  • 126 LEED Silver
  • 124 LEED Gold
  • 22 LEED Platinum

“The registration of our 5,000th project is a significant milestone in the history of the CaGBC and the green building movement in Canada,” said Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of the Council. “It reflects a level of progress toward our mission to transform buildings and cities with significantly lower environmental footprints and better quality of life that is heartening to everyone who has contributed to this success.”

The third quarter of 2014 also saw some very unique projects earn certification. The projects included:

  • WaterPark Place in Toronto, ON, which became the first project to earn LEED Platinum certification through the CaGBC’s recertification program. This project, by Oxford Properties Group, originally earned a LEED Gold certification in 2012. The project’s sustainability markers were then revisited and enhanced, thus earning it the LEED Platinum for EB:O&M recertification this summer.
  • The Van Dusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, B.C., which certified LEED Platinum. As one of Vancouver’s landmarks, the new facility was built with the goal of providing a harmonious balance between the built and natural landscapes, mimicking the natural environment in both look and functionality.
  • The Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market in Halifax, NS, (pictured above) which certified LEED Gold. This project saw the transformation of a former seaport terminal into a low carbon ecological showcase on the Halifax waterfront, home to the oldest continuously running market in North America. Emphasizing water efficiency, indoor air quality and solar energy, the project team hopes to see operating savings of over $100,000 per year.
  • Bow Valley Square in Calgary, AB, which certified LEED Gold. Located in Calgary’s downtown core, Bow Valley Square is a four-tower complex that houses office and retail space. The project included an innovative green roof as well as  the refurbishment of all its interior spaces on the ground, retail levels and food court.