The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) is setting forth on a multi-year initiative to further evolve its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED Canada) program. The plan is to have the sustainable building rating system include more project types—both new and existing. Developing from a one-time certification system to a lifecycle building performance management tool, the move is intended to streamline the certification process.

The key elements of the proposed new rating system, and findings from the first round of testing, will be delivered at CaGBC's inaugural national summit, Shifting into the Mainstream, held in Toronto on June 11 and 12.

During the two-day event, delegates will learn about the system's features and enhancements, currently being tested in pilot projects to establish energy and water standards, determine the requirements, and beta test certification processes. (The first round of pilots involves K–12 schools, utilities, government, and commercial office buildings.)

One of the primary goals of this development initiative is to test LEED Canada with sectors not covered under the current rating system, such as existing buildings. Launching in early 2009, the new certification system could play an important role in reducing the country's overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as much as 50 per cent by 2015.

The CaGBC summit is co-chaired by Alan Greenberg (Minto Urban Communities) and Michael Brooks (Real Property Association of Canada [RealPAC]), and will feature green building experts from across the country, including keynote speakers David Suzuki and architect Peter Busby.

For more information, visit www.shiftingintothemainstream.ca.