REGINA — (SBC) is leading a new initiative to support Saskatchewan’s building community in adopting the latest National Energy Codes for both single-family homes and commercial buildings.
In collaboration with the Saskatchewan Building Officials Association (SBOA), SBC recently hosted two hands-on workshops that showcased practical, high-performance solutions to help local builders meet the enhanced energy requirements of higher-tier codes.
Funded by Natural Resources Canada’s Codes Acceleration Fund, this initiative is aimed at advancing the widespread adoption of the National Building Code (NBC) and the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) across Canada. The goal: to demonstrate that even the most ambitious energy performance tiers can be achieved using today’s available designs and technologies.
Historically, Saskatchewan has been a leader in building performance, says SBC.
“We’re facing a national housing crisis, and the consensus across all levels of government is clear: we need more homes and fast,” said Brynn Nheiley, executive director, Sustainable Buildings Canada.
“But as importantly, we need smarter homes. Homes that are affordable to heat and cool, accessible for our aging population, protects indoor air quality (IAQ) against the smoke of wildfires and built to last in a warming climate.
“The future of housing must be sustainable. By engaging with SBOA we believe it’s possible to meet top-tier energy efficiency standards while also building homes that reduce emissions, improves IAQ, lower energy costs, and drive economic growth.”
“As building officials, we often see the frustration that arises when permits are denied due to incomplete or inaccurate documentation,” said Bob Baker, vice-president, SBOA.
“One of the key takeaways from the workshops is the importance of early engagement between design professionals and code officials. Identifying compliance issues at the outset helps prevent delays down the line.”
“There’s a common misconception in the building community that achieving higher-tier energy standards is prohibitively expensive and time-consuming,” said Stu Niebergall, president and CEO, Saskatchewan Home Builders Association (SHBA).
“Our members are committed to doing the right thing and have the skills to achieve the higher tiers of the code. We believe these workshops offer practical steps to overcome barriers and move forward with confidence.”
Held in Saskatchewan on Feb. 19 and March 19, the workshops welcomed participants from across the province, including building officials from the cities of Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Yorkton; the town of La Ronge; the government of Alberta; Whitecap Dakota Nation; Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Yorkton Tribal administration, among others.
SBC says the Codes Acceleration workshops integrate leading-edge Integrated Design Processes (IDP), practical technology applications, and regional context to ensure even the most ambitious energy-related code tiers are understood and embraced by the Canadian building community.
To learn more about SBC’s Codes Acceleration Workshops, visit:
