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Net Zero Council

About the Net Zero Council

CHBA’s Net Zero Council (NZC) supports innovation in our industry with the goal of creating a market advantage for CHBA builder and renovator members pursuing Net Zero performance. The Council's work will help to meet the housing aspirations of Canadians, and renew Canadian leadership in high performance housing.

Mandate

In alignment with the CHBA Strategic Priority to Advance Innovation, the mandate of this self-funding ad-hoc Council is to deliver services that will support members’ voluntary adoption of Net Zero housing.

The NZC will:

  • gather intelligence on member and consumer needs to inform priorities and influence strategic advancements
  • build awareness and knowledge through the consolidation and sharing of information utilizing a variety of channels and forums, and
  • implement activities to identify barriers, find solutions, transfer knowledge, inform policy, accelerate action and increase efficiencies.

Key Priorities

  • A Labelling Program to distinguish and recognize Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes and the builders/renovators (Learn more here)
  • Marketing & Communications initiatives to develop the Net Zero brand, build awareness and understanding of the value of Net Zero homes, and stimulate market demand
  • Educational initiatives to bridge the knowledge gap and accelerate the industry's capacity to capitalize on Net Zero
  • Financing initiatives to address the initial cost of Net Zero Homes and implement innovative and effective financing mechanisms

2024-2026 Net Zero Council Strategic Plan

Download here

Contacts

Sonja Winkelmann

Sonja Winkelmann

Senior Director,
Net Zero Housing
613.230.3060 x235
sonja.winkelmann@chba.ca

  • Directs the efforts of the Net Zero Energy Housing Council, including member and sponsor retention and recruitment to raise funds annually for this self-funded Council.
  • Manages the Spring and Fall Council meetings as well as the monthly Management Committee meetings.
  • Leads the Net Zero Team staff to effectively implement programs and projects.
  • Guides the Net Zero Consumer Marketing and Industry Education efforts.
  • For more information visit www.chba.ca/nzc.
Lynne

Lynne Strickland

Director, Initiatives,
Net Zero Housing
613.230.3060 x236
lynne.strickland@chba.ca

  • Project Management lead for the NRCan funded national multi-year RD&D projects including “Towards cost-effective net-zero energy ready residential renovations” and “Applicable, Replicable and Marketable Net Zero (Ready) MURBs.”
  • As Director, Initiatives, Lynne’s role is to bring relevant applied research and technology to our members to facilitate scalable advances in the residential construction industry.
  • For more information visit www.chba.ca/nzrenos and www.chba.ca/nzmurbs.
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Brett Cass

Technical Manager,
Net Zero Housing
613.230.3060 x233
brett.cass@chba.ca

  • Manages the delivery and maintenance of the Net Zero Home Labelling Program Technical and Administrative Requirements.
  • Staff lead for the Net Zero Technical Committee who meets monthly.
  • Ensures technical and process alignment of new programming during development i.e., Renos, MURBs/Mid-Density, IAQ, Neighbourhoods.
  • Supports development and maintenance of Net Zero Training courses.
  • For more information visit https://www.chba.ca/about-the-net-zero-home-labelling-program.
Beth Hernen Headshot CHBA

Beth Hernen

Program Coordinator,
Net Zero Housing
613.230.3060 x265
beth.hernen@chba.ca

  • Coordination of the Net Zero Home Labelling Program (NZHLP) focused on both the participant and home qualification processes (including training administration, annual registrations, invoicing, and database updates).
  • Key contact for Net Zero Home Labelling Program participants (Builders, Renovators, Energy Advisors, Service Organizations, and Trainers).
  • For more information visit https://www.chba.ca/about-the-net-zero-home-labelling-program.
Kay Parkes-Blanc Headshot CHBA

Kay Parkes-Blanc

Project Coordinator,
Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP)
613.230.3060 x243
khadijah.parkes-blanc@chba.ca

  • Coordinator for the NRCan funded national multi-year LEEP effort “Accelerating Uptake of Innovative Technologies in The New and Retrofit Housing Sectors.”
  • LEEP has had exceptional success in accelerating adoption and deployment of emerging technologies through its builder and renovator led model. It drives manufacturers to meet high-performance housing needs, helps local experts expand their knowledge and share best practices, and brings regional builders, renovators, trades, energy advisors and building officials together to review options and streamline implementation of innovation. The CHBA LEEP initiative delivers a platform to accelerate innovation at scale, providing a market advantage for CHBA builder and renovator members.
  • For more information visit www.chba.ca/LEEP.
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Laurie Howe

Administrator, Net Zero Housing
613.230.3060 x262
laurie.howe@chba.ca

  • Provides financial, scheduling, and other administrative support for Net Zero Housing projects including, "Towards cost-effective net-zero energy ready residential renovations", "Applicable, Replicable and Marketable Net Zero (Ready) MUURBS", and "Post COVID Costing Data for Residential New Constructions (Part 9)"
  • Key contact for billing and in-kind contributions related to Net Zero Initiatives.