IN-PERSON London. Section B

Abstract

Canada has signed up to the UNCCC Paris Treaty targets to greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2030. Building emissions represent 6% of the total globally, but 13% in Canada. The rates of progress on different sectors varies widely – buildings are the third worst: emissions are marginally higher than 1990 levels. Furthermore, urbanization is rising in Canada and the largest cities are dominated by multi-family buildings (Canada 34%, vs Montreal 81%, Vancouver 60%, and Toronto 65% of housing stock), with a higher-than-average proportion renting (Canada 34%, Montreal 60%, Vancouver 38%, and Toronto 48%). This raises the split-incentive challenge: who will pay for necessary improvements to building energy efficiency – who decides what gets done? Despite this mixed housing landscape, most energy retrofit measures are aimed at property owners, detached homes, or new construction. So, addressing the retrofitting of existing multi-family buildings is crucial. An important energy justice question is: how can policy measures be adjusted to target people living in existing, multi-family buildings regardless of ownership status? This paper will examine existing policy measures in different provincial and municipal contexts to compare their applicability to different demographic groups in the multi-family rental sectors within these cities. The author’s analysis will then be assessed by experts in the housing industry through semi-structured interviews to elicit policy improvement recommendations.