As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations that they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with industry, research and training institutions, civil society, Indigenous governments and communities, and provincial, territorial and municipal governments, enable Canada’s energy efficiency sector to reach its full potential by:

• measuring the outcome of government programs and policies to ensure they are effective in achieving public policy goals, such as Canada’s international commitment to reduce carbon emissions;
• ensuring that energy efficiency incentive programs are predictable and reliable over the long-term, taking into account the financial limitations of those implementing efficiency measures, including small and medium-sized enterprises;
• increasing public awareness of energy efficiency through targeted educational initiatives, taking into account the needs of different industries and communities;
• establishing a one-stop online platform to facilitate public access to energy efficiency information, resources and services;
• expanding professional development opportunities, as needed, to address skills and training gaps in the energy efficiency sector; and
• ensuring that energy performance codes and standards remain in line with available technologies and current best practices, including building codes for new buildings and building retrofits;
• ensuring Canada’s tax system and regulatory environment are competitive with other jurisdictions; and
• ensuring affordability is a priority when implementing building codes, energy performance programs for new buildings and building retrofits.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada consider targeted financial tools, through entities such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, to facilitate public and private investments in energy efficiency.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada build on programs, such as Natural Resources Canada’s Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Low-Carbon Economy Fund, to facilitate further deployment of market-ready energy efficiency technologies.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada prioritize high energy performance buildings and equipment, as well as the issues of cost and affordability, in government procurement and asset management policies.