CaGBC announced this week that Canada's total number of LEED certified buildings hit another milestone in late 2014 with the certification of its 2000th project. This follows an earlier announcement made on October 7, which saw the total number of registered projects hit 5000. Cumulative totals for LEED certified and registered projects in Canada now sit at 2,041 and 5,187, respectively.
Much of this growth came in the fourth quarter (October 1 to December 31, 2014), with 102 registrations and 132 certifications, for a total of 538 certified and 501 registered projects in 2014. Of note in these numbers was the total of LEED Gold projects, which increased by 10.9 per cent over 2013.
Totals by LEED certification level for 2014 are as follows:
A searchable LEED project database with further detail, including project scorecards and photos can be viewed on the CaGBC LEED Project Profiles webpage. To view detailed case studies on various green building projects, please visit the CaGBC's resources webpage.
Projects that earned certification in the fourth quarter include these highlights:
- Two of Toronto's most well trafficked convention centres, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) South Building and the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place both certified LEED Gold for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EB: O&M).
- The MTCC earned its certification by implementing a comprehensive sustainability program, including: reducing energy consumption by 20 per cent since 2011 by retrofitting and automating lighting systems, increasing the hosting of green events at the Centre by 23 per cent, and diverting more than 90 per cent of waste from landfill.
- For its part Direct Energy Centre reduced water use by 45 per cent, increased controllable lighting, and participates in the Toronto Smart Commute program which demonstrated a 52 per cent reduction in conventional commuting trips.
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Metro Toronto Convention Centre, LEED Gold for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EB: O&M)

Drect Energy Centre, LEED Gold for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EB: O&M) |
- The Offices at Newton Phase II in Surrey, B.C., which certified LEED Platinum. This project undertook a great deal of sustainability measures to earn LEED's most rigorous level, including: energy modeling to maximize performance of the building envelope; glazing and mechanical systems that led to a 46 per cent reduction in energy cost; using 54 water-to-air heat pumps to heat and cool the building; and putting in two Kone Eco Space elevators which maximize speeds for the height of the building and regenerate electricity for the building when a cab is travelling up or down empty.
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The Offices at Newton Phase II, LEED Platinum |
- The City of St. John Police Headquarters in Saint John, New Brunswick, which certified LEED Gold. This 6,500 sq.m. facility is located in downtown Saint John and features a green roof, significant reductions in potable water and energy use, and was built to maximize daylight and views throughout much of the building.
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