Why and How Canada’s Energy Efficiency Act Needs to Be Modernized

Canada’s Energy Efficiency Act was passed in 1992, enabling the making and enforcement of energy efficiency standards for energy-using appliances and equipment. 

The Energy Efficiency Regulations enabled by the Act have had an enormous positive impact, saving over 340 PJ of energy, saving Canadians billions of dollars, and reducing emissions by more than 44 Mt CO2e from 1995-2022. Despite this, Canada has the most energy-intensive economy of IEA members and direct emissions from buildings have increased 4.5% since 2005. Ramping up energy efficiency will be essential for Canada to achieve its net-zero by 2050 emissions target. However, compared to analogous laws in other countries, Canada’s Energy Efficiency Act is limited in its scope and power in many ways. 

Join us as we explore some of the ways Canada’s Energy Efficiency Act could be modernized for the 21st century to address climate change, improve affordability, and deliver health benefits.