Leadership Award - Green Building Champion (Individual)

The Green Building Champion Award recognizes a deserving individual for initiatives that demonstrate exceptional achievement in advocating for CaGBC's core interests, programs, and priorities. It may also include work related to commercial enterprise, public interest programs, policies, education, or advocacy that further advances sustainability in Canada. Applicants must clearly display exceptional achievement in advocating for sustainable green buildings within their area of industry.

Leadership Award - Green Building Pioneer (Organization)

The Green Building Pioneer Award recognizes an organization which has demonstrated an innovative approach to the advancement of green building technology, products, capacity building, policy, design, or operations. As a result, the industry, their competitors, customers, and employees are pushed towards continuous improvement ultimately helping the CaGBC achieve its goal of every building greener. Nominees will be known for contributing innovative work, considered ahead of its time, which inspires others in the industry.  Evaluations will consider vision and innovation; success factors; commitment to sustainability; and impact on industry, employees, competitors, and customers.

Leadership Award - Emerging Green Leader (Individual)

The Emerging Green Leader Award recognizes a deserving student or young professional who has made a significant contribution to advocating, educating, or practicing green building and/or community development. This individual is recognized as a leader among their peers and has a strong commitment to green building, the environment, and positive change. Only Emerging Green Professional (EGP) members in good standing are eligible for this award. An EGP is either a full-time student or 30 years of age or younger with a passion for green building. This award is presented to an individual who is a member of a regional Chapter or an employee of a corporate member company. Evaluations will consider: demonstrated leadership among peers; potential for leadership; and, commitment to sustainability.

Leadership Award - Inspired Educator (Individual or Organization)

The Inspired Educator Award recognizes a deserving institution (represented by an engaged faculty and/or staff member) for educating learners in sustainable design, green building, operations, and/or real estate development at a post-secondary academic institution. The recipient fosters passion and success in their students by delivering "sustainable" content with the desire to better educate the next generation of green building professionals. Teams, departments, organizations, or individuals may apply on behalf of the institution. Evaluations will consider how the academic institution successfully delivered education/curriculum of sustainable design, green building, green operations, or green real estate; and, how the post-secondary incorporated the ever evolving green building industry into their curriculum. 

Leadership Award - Government Leadership (Individual or Organization)

The Government Leadership Award recognizes a deserving individual, team, department, or organization that has developed policies and/or programs to advance green building in Canada. The recipient has shown leadership in working within the public sector to effect change and improve performance in sustainable building practices, such as the adoption of a leading green building standard or the implementation of an innovative, sustainable infrastructure project. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the office or department adopted a policy for greening buildings; explain any green building policies or programs developed; and/or, show how they demonstrated leadership by setting ambitious green building goals for other departments, or governments to follow.

Leadership Award - Technical Expertise Volunteer (Individual)

The Ed Lim Technical Expertise Volunteer Award is presented to an individual who has generously dedicated considerable time and shared their expertise in an advisory capacity towards the advancement of green building in Canada. The recipient is highly regarded as a subject matter expert, serving as a member of one (or more) of the Council’s volunteer committees. Their contributions to the planning, review, and execution of industry specific initiatives positively influence the productivity and effectiveness of the committee’s work. Committees may include: Technical Advisory Groups, Steering Committees, Building Lasting Change Program Committee, Product of the Year Jury, Greenest School in Canada Jury. Evaluations will consider degree of expertise; demonstrated commitment and reliability; commitment to sustainability; influence on committee; and contributions to success.

Green Building Excellence -  New Construction (Commercial or Institutional)

The New Construction Award is presented to the team responsible for a new commercial or institutional (hospital, government building or academic institution) project which demonstrates optimal building operations, performance, and occupant satisfaction. Canadian new construction projects registered for, or certified by, a recognized green building standard or rating system are eligible. Deep retrofit* projects are eligible in this category. This award focuses on the design stage of the building and the choices made in order to achieve the sustainability goals. Construction completion date must be after January 1, 2019 (two years prior to award submission) or a deep retrofit done in the last two years. The evaluation will consider energy and GHG reduction features; occupant health and wellness; water conservation resources; site selection; and innovation. *Deep Retrofit definition: * A deep retrofit to an existing building includes extensive alteration work in addition to work on the exterior shell of the building and/or primary structural components and/or the core and peripheral MEP (mechanical – electrical – plumbing). Typically, the extent and nature of the work is such that the primary function space cannot be used for its intended purpose while the work is in progress and where a new certificate of occupancy is required before the work area can be reoccupied. Please note that a “major renovation” as defined by LEED or a “deep retrofit” as defined by NRCan would fit into the New Construction category.

Green Building Excellence – Existing Building (Commercial or Institutional)

The Existing Building Award is presented to the team responsible for a commercial or institutional (hospital, government building or academic institution) project which demonstrates continuous improvement in building operation, performance, and occupant satisfaction. Canadian existing building projects registered for, or certified by, a recognized green building standard or rating system are eligible. Projects that have recently undergone minor retrofits* are eligible for this category. The project should demonstrate a commitment to sustainability with good practices in several key aspects. The evaluation will consider energy and GHG reduction features; occupant health and wellness; water conservation resources; commitment to sustainability; and staff awareness. * Minor Retrofits definition: *For the purposes of this award category, minor retrofits would include roof replacement, lighting overhaul, window glazing replacement, or a similar level of intervention. 

Green Building Excellence – Inspiring Home

The Inspiring Home Award is presented to the team responsible for outstanding achievements of a high-performing, sustainable residential project in Canada. This award can be presented to homes (single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes) or multi-family residential (mid-rise up to three stories, high-rise of four stories or more). The winning project demonstrates a healthy and sustainable living environment for people, contributes to the betterment of the community, and demonstrates a commitment to sustainability with best practices in a broad range of sustainability criteria including affordability and accessibility. This award is open to newly constructed residential projects completed after January 1, 2019, at the latest two years prior to award submission date. Canadian new construction projects registered for, or certified by, a recognized green building standard or rating system are eligible and must clearly show how they respond to all award performance categories. The evaluation will consider energy and GHG reduction; water conservation and efficiency; occupant health and wellness; and overall commitment to sustainability. 

Green Building Excellence – Tenant Improvement

The Tenant Improvement Award is presented to the team responsible for an outstanding interior space that embraces the philosophy that high-performing green spaces can: create healthy, productive places to work; have a reduced environmental footprint; and, cost less to operate and maintain. The winning project also provides an overall positive impact on the occupants' wellness. Eligible projects must have been completed after January 1, 2019, two years prior to award submission. The evaluation will consider energy and GHG reduction features; occupant health and wellness; water conservation resources; and innovation.

Green Building Excellence – Zero Carbon

The Zero Carbon Award is presented to the team responsible for a new or existing building that demonstrates climate leadership through optimal building performance and innovative carbon reduction strategies. The evaluation will consider design and retrofit strategies; incorporated on-site renewable energy; impact on EUI; peak load management measures; efforts taken to reduce the embodied carbon of the building; fossil fuels.

The Students Leading Sustainability: Andy Kesteloo Memorial Project Award

The Students Leading Sustainability: Andy Kesteloo Memorial Project Award is presented in memory of Andy Kesteloo, a visionary green building advocate, who shared his commitment for a sustainable earth with humour, insight and passion. The objective of the Award is to recognize a student project that demonstrates leadership, innovation, inspiration and a creative vision for the future of sustainable design in the field of green building and communities. Click here for the unique nomination criteria, details and timeline for the 2021 Students Leading Sustainability Award.