CLICK HERE TO READ MY FULL OPINION COLUMN | WESTERN STANDARD
With Mark Carney in the prime minister’s chair, it’s safe to assume his brand of climate-focused policy would drive the next wave of federal priorities. On the surface, that might sound appealing to those pushing net zero emissions.
But, when you peel back the layers, especially on the topic of net-zero housing, what you’re left with is an agenda that threatens to make housing even more unaffordable than is currently believed by the average Canadian. On the campaign trail he talks about building ‘millions of homes’ with no experience or real knowledge of what it would take to build these homes.
Liberal Sean Fraser, past minister of housing, found that out and announced last month that he would not seek re-election when he realized what he had been proposing wasn’t physically possible. (And then, sensing perhaps that the polls were more favourable, took back his nomination.)
Carney has made it clear that he believes solving climate change is the challenge of our time. But if his solution involves mandating net-zero standards, especially for new home construction nationwide, Canadians would need to brace themselves for a price tag they didn’t ask for and really can’t afford should this become a policy.
Let’s be clear. Building a net-zero home adds significant costs. We’re talking about tens of thousands of dollars more per home or unit in most cases. From triple-pane windows, thicker walls and upgraded insulation to blower door tests, and more inspections to heat pumps, geothermal systems, and solar panels, it all adds up.
CLICK HERE TO READ MY FULL OPINION COLUMN | WESTERN STANDARD
