District of Saanich

The District of Saanich has shown its leadership in energy efficiency by signing up to be a pilot community in the provincial Community Action on Energy Efficiency (CAEE) initiative. Through MEMPR’s CAEE program, pilot communities are focusing on advancing energy efficiency through municipal policies and bylaws - read the Local Government Policy Instruments Initiative program for more details.

Saanich joined CAEE in March 2006 as part of Phase 2 of the initiative. In March 2007 the District was invited to take part in Phase 4 - CAEE Gold.

Targets Endorsed for Private Buildings - CAEE Gold

Building Sector Energy Efficiency Target
New single family and row house residential buildings Achieve an EnerGuide for New Houses rating of 80 by 2010, reducing average energy consumption in new homes by 32%.
New multi-unit residential buildings Achieve energy performance of 25% better than Model National Energy Code for Building by 2010, reducing average energy consumption by 37%.
Existing single family and row house residential buildings Reduce the energy consumption in 12% of existing buildings by an average of 17% by 2010.
Existing multi-unit residential buildings Reduce the energy consumption in 16% of existing buildings by an average of 9% by 2010.
New industrial, commercial and institutional buildings Achieve energy performance 25% better than Model National Energy Code for Building by 2010 and reduce the average energy consumption by 20%.
Existing industrial, commercial and institutional buildings Reduce the energy consumption in 20% of existing buildings by an average of 14% by 2010.

Key Policy Measures Proposed - CAEE Gold

  • Establish a priority for building permit applications designated as “green files”
  • Budget permitting, hire a certified Energy Advisor to provide free support to builders and renovators on energy efficiency
  • Establish a 30% rebate on building permit fees for new dwellings that meet Built Green Gold, EGH 80 or R2000


As part of CAEE Phase 2, Saanich:

  • Established a permitting process that fast-tracks green, energy efficient developments;
  • Integrated energy efficiency into development permit guidelines;
  • Worked on a private sector green building policy.

During the ESP incentive pilot that was conducted March 2006 - March 2007, community members had access to provincial grants for energy efficient retrofits to single and row housing, multi-unit residential buildings, affordable housing and small commercial buildings.

In the News: Saanich sweetens pot for building 'green'