VANCOUVER, BC Wednesday, 5 May 2010 — Smart Growth BC today announced that  its programs and brand have been acquired by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

This announcement heralds the beginning of a national approach to supporting a Smart Growth Canada Program that combines the provincial success of Smart Growth BC with the national network of CaGBC. Smart Growth BC’ has helped the Province to lead Canada in the adoption of better urban development practices and will now be a significant component to support smart growth from coast to coast by the CaGBC.

“After a decade of working on the ground with British Columbia communities, we are thrilled to see this experience being leveraged into a national program,” said outgoing Smart Growth BC Executive Director, Cam Brewer.

With today’s announcement, CaGBC will establish a steering committee to guide the delivery of a national program. The Smart Growth products include a range of green building and community development tools applicable at the scale of an entire city, region, neighbourhood or smaller community, as well as the individual building. 

Following on the success of their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, and the introduction of the LEED for Neighbourhood Development in early 2011, CaGBC will  incorporate the  established smart growth programs into an integrated set of offerings for buildings and communities .

“Sustainable urban development requires holistic thinking, and our national smart growth program will support Canadian municipalities in doing so. Whether the starting point is an individual building or an entire region, the Council is well positioned with today’s announcement to offer robust solutions for communities pursuing sustainability and green building,” said CaGBC President and CEO, Thomas Mueller.

About Smart Growth BC
Smart growth is a collection of land-use and development principles for creating compact, diverse, and green communities. Smart growth principles ensure that growth is fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible, and recognize the connections between development and quality of life. Since 1999, Smart Growth BC has been the leading Canadian proponent of smart growth.

About the CaGBC
CaGBC  is a national non-profit organization which was founded in Dec 2002, with offices in Ottawa and Vancouver.

Our vision is a transformed built environment leading to a sustainable future. To achieve  its mission the Council leads and accelerate the transformation to high-performing, healthy green buildings, homes and communities throughout Canada, the CaGBC works with over two thousand three hundred corporate members and eight chapters across  the country .

Since its inception, the Council has worked to:

• change industry standards,

• develop  best design practices and guidelines;

• advocate for green buildings, and

• develop of  educational tools to support its members in implementing sustainable design and construction practices.

For more information visit www.cagbc.org

Media contacts:

Cam Brewer
Smart Growth BC
778-839-0019

Stella Baise
Canada Green Building Council
604.282.7791