OCT 20 | OTTAWA

Join us for the 2025 CHBA National Fall Meetings at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel from October 20-24. The Net Zero Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20th from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm with the Net Zero Networking from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. The entire afternoon (1:30-4:30) is dedicated to sharing the outcomes of the work CHBA is doing with the Institute of Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) to integrate practical, cost-effective climate resilience measures into Canadian homes. This joint effort, the Resilient Homes Task Force (RHTF), has conducted field trials, including design charettes and builder-led evaluations of resilience measures that will help create tiered checklists of solutions for wildfire, high wind, hail, and urban flooding—designed to be constructible and impactful. CHBA would like to thank the many CHBA builders and renovators who have so far contributed their time and insights into the RHTF project. With many of you providing critical input through surveys and field trials, this initiative is now grounded in real-world experience. At the NZC meeting, builders will get a first look at the checklists, hear from peers involved in the field trials, learn about the insurers’ perspective and be part of the conversation on how CHBA and ICLR can help builders integrate more resilience into their projects. We encourage members to attend and be part of this important conversation. The full schedule and registration link can be found here.

The 2026 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence will open for entries in October. It is Canada's premiere awards competition for new homes, renovations, community development, and residential marketing. Each year, hundreds of projects are submitted from rural areas and large cities, and from small family-run businesses and larger developers. Categories feature a range of awards for many different types of projects, including Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home, and Best Production Net Zero Home. Homes entered into the Net Zero Home categories must be labelled through CHBA's Net Zero Home Labelling Program. All members will be notified when the entry period opens. If you have someone on your staff you’d like added to our contact list, please email us their name and email address.

OCT 30 | 1:00-3:00 ET | ONLINE

Join CHBA and Building Knowledge Canada for a dynamic expert panel webinar in the Towards Cost-Effective Net Zero Energy Ready Residential Renovations series. This session, Air Tightness + Air Barrier: Renovating for IMPACT, explores how improving air sealing and air barrier systems can dramatically enhance energy performance, durability, and indoor comfort in home retrofits. Hosted by Lynne J Strickland of CHBA, participants will learn practical strategies and innovative approaches from leading industry experts: Gord Cooke (Building Knowledge Canada), Mark Tritton (The Lanark Design/Build Group), Fellipe Falluh (Retrofit Construction), and Stephen Magneron (Homesol Building Solutions). Register here.

DEC 10-11 | DENVER, CO

Mark your calendars! This popular workshop is back again! This comprehensive program will equip you with the knowledge and skills to construct high-performance zero energy ready homes. Over two days, you’ll dive into the components of zero energy ready building, such as advanced wall systems, high-performance mechanical systems, and renewable energy integration. You’ll learn to select the most cost-effective materials and technologies to design, model, and construct homes that only use as much energy as they are able to produce over the course of each year. Learn more here.

Every part of a Net Zero Home works together in harmony to create the ultimate energy efficient living space. Every aspect of the home, including the building envelope, mechanical systems, and renewable energy systems, works together as a system to ensure peak performance. Check out this blog post to learn more about the three main components of a Net Zero Home.

Be sure to share using @CHBANetZero and #CHBANetZero so that more homeowners and homebuyers will learn about Net Zero Homes!

Visit our website here to read more of our Net Zero blog posts. You can also find and share all our Net Zero blog posts (geared towards consumers) via our four social media accounts; LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

CHBA’s latest submission to the Department of Finance Pre-Budget Consultation (full document available on our website) includes several recommendations to support Net Zero Renovator members:

1. GST Rebate for ADUs and Secondary Suites: Expanding the GST rebate, which already includes substantial renovations, to include renovations that create additional housing units, such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and secondary suites. This would incentivize renovations and increase housing supply.
2. Support for Net Zero & Adaptiv Home Renovations: Applying the GST rebate to Net Zero, Net Zero Ready, and Adaptiv Home renovations to align with climate change goals, improve accessibility, and restore housing affordability. 
3. First-Time Home Buyer Renovation Tax Credit: Implementing a tax credit to alleviate cost constraints for first-time buyers purchasing older homes in need of upgrades. This would also help curb the underground economy by incentivizing the use of reputable renovators.
4. Addressing Labour Shortages: Expanding support and training for careers in the residential construction industry beyond unions and Red Seal trades.
5. EnerGuide Labelling and Renovation Incentives: Investing in the EnerGuide system, requiring EnerGuide labelling at resale, and providing incentives for home renovations that improve energy efficiency.
6. And many more recommendations that apply to renovations and renovators as part of the residential construction industry at large.

Around the world, people are increasingly looking to take climate action in their personal lives. But many are left wondering what actions have the biggest impact and truly move the needle on climate change. Project Drawdown offers many new and impactful resources that tell you how you can best take action:

• Drawdown Explorer is the world’s ultimate climate solutions platform.
• Saving (for) the Planet: The Climate Power of Personal Banking is a new, comprehensive guide to assessing and reducing the climate impact of consumer banking.
• The Super High-Impact Initiative for Fixing Tomorrow, or SHIFT, a free web-based guide that helps climate-concerned individuals find the most effective, science-backed personal actions they can take.

CHBA's new Net Zero Solutions video library offers solution providers with exposure to builders and renovators looking for Net Zero Solutions for their projects. By consolidating essential information and best practices, and offering valuable insight, this new webpage empowers our members to showcase their mechanical, envelope, energy, or other innovations. If you would like the opportunity to add your company’s video, please visit our website to learn more.

Join the Net Zero Council and be part of the leadership group working together to accelerate the voluntary adoption of Net Zero Homes in Canada. Currently there are 14 seats still available in the Bronze Sponsor, Silver Sponsor, Builder/Renovator, and Academia categories combined. Visit our website to learn about the benefits of Membership and Sponsorship and review the Terms of Reference before submitting an application form to sonja.winkelmann@chba.ca.