Greening Government - Leading by Example
Recognizing Environmental Achievements

Image Description

Green roofs (pictured), solar technology and eco-friendly building designs are a few of Public Works and Government Services Canada's green initiatives to help reduce their environmental footprint.

The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standard provides an effective and consistent framework for gauging sustainable design.

From airport terminals in rural Canada, to sky-high green roofs, to state-of-the-art buildings in urban centres, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is laying the foundation to green the federal government's operations by finding innovative ways to build, renovate and maintain environmentally responsible buildings. In fact, several building initiatives have won prestigious awards and have achieved LEED® status for their efforts. Here are some examples.

Normand Maurice Building

At the 2007 Gala Énergia, organized by l'Association québécoise pour la maîtrise de l'énergie (AQME), Public Works and Government Services Canada was recognized for the outstanding environmental performance of the Normand Maurice Building, located at 740 Bel-Air Street in Montreal. The new building's heating and air conditioning systems use geothermal and solar technology. Ambient light and natural ventilation reduce electricity consumption and improve personal comfort, and rainwater is collected for the toilets to further cut down on energy consumption. Operating costs for the building will be approximately 35 per cent lower than for conventional similarly-sized buildings, representing savings of $5 million over 25 years.

Greenstone Building

Not to be outdone, the Greenstone Building in Yellowknife won the Innovation Award from the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada and the Brilliant Building Award from the Discover Brilliant International Conference and Expo. This building houses over 200 employees from more than a dozen federal departments and agencies. Not only is the building environmentally friendly – reducing greenhouse gases by approximately 372 tonnes per year – it is also taxpayer friendly, with the energy-conscious design saving the Canadian taxpayer an estimated $70,000 per year in energy costs. The Greenstone Building was the first "north of 60" office building to receive LEED® Gold certification in Canada.

C.D. Howe Green Roof

The roof of the C.D. Howe Building, in Ottawa, is the first green roof of its kind in the city. Part of the roof is landscaped with low maintenance native plants, and is lush with flowers and grasses from early spring to late fall. The non-landscaped areas use innovative technology to shield the roof from the effects of ultraviolet radiation, temperature extremes and mechanical damage.  The green roof contributes to the reduction of the ‘heat island effect' common in urban landscapes, where artificial surfaces like asphalt and concrete raise air temperatures. Green roofs further lessen environmental impacts by reducing the volume of stormwater flowing into streams, rivers and drainage channels. The C.D. Howe green roof project was such a success that the PWGSC project team recently won the Best Practices – Environmental Award from the Real Property Institute of Canada for their work in setting a high standard and contributing to the real property field through innovation, achievement, quality, and leadership.

Alvin Hamilton Building

Regina's Alvin Hamilton Building has been given an extended lease on life. The former shopping centre and office tower was renovated with the environment in mind, and has been converted into the flagship location for federal government programs and services in southern Saskatchewan. Over 70 per cent of the original building's structure and shell remain as part of the new building. Green features include low-flow toilets and urinals, sensors that regulate temperature, humidity and lighting, and 50 per cent of its power provided by green power sources. The interior was inspired by the diverse Saskatchewan landscape, and the whole design process has resulted in a rejuvenated landmark for the City of Regina and the Province of Saskatchewan. This was the federal government's first major renovation project to achieve LEED® Silver certification.

Kuujjuaq Terminal

Ever wonder what goes into the construction of a "green" terminal at an airport in subzero temperatures? Look no further than the 1,365 m² airport terminal in Kuujjuaq, Quebec. The new terminal at the Kuujjuaq Airport received an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction in the Green Building Category. The terminal used recyclable steel for the structure and a radiant floor heating system - a network of heating pipes encased in the concrete floor slab of the entire terminal building. The heat diffused and stored in the concrete slab is released uniformly throughout the building. The roof is covered with a highly reflective cladding to reduce the summer heating load of the building, acting as a passive cooling device and eliminating the need for costly air-conditioning. Lastly, the building's design and shape is well adapted to the severe northern climate while being reflective of Inuit culture. The terminal is expected to generate a 41.3 per cent energy savings compared with a standard building, and was LEED® Silver certified in July 2009.