The 2021 Canadian Provincial Energy Efficiency Scorecardtracks 54 policy and outcome-based metrics across all 10 Canadian provinces. The Scorecard details programs, policies and progress. 2021 is showing a downward trend in program energy savings, falling about 38% since 2017. In this round, only British Columbia and Alberta met or exceeded the electricity savings rates they achieved in 2019. Both British Columbia and Nova Scotia launched voluntary building performance benchmarking and disclosure programs for residential and commercial/industrial buildings in 2020.

Overall provincial scores for all measured activities are shown in the map below.

Policy recommendations for better provincial energy efficiency performance scores include the following areas for action:

  1. Taking leadership to stop the stalling of building codes. The 2020 national model codes have yet to be released, and a model “retrofit code” for existing buildings is now planned to be delayed until 2030. The federal government can exercise leadership by clearly defining net-zero building standard goals, increasing resources for code development and research, and providing more resources to provinces and utilities for activities such as training and code compliance, to facilitate more rapid code adoption.
  2. Transforming building retrofits. Trends in national program spending and savings suggest diminishing opportunities in measures like lighting upgrades. If Canada is to achieve its net-zero emissions target, the government must place all buildings on an accelerated path to zero emissions.