A new report argues that reusing existing buildings offers the dual benefits of faster housing delivery and reduced carbon emissions. The Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) has released a national report that says building codes should support conservation-led retrofit approaches.

This approach, the report says, will support Canada’s urgent climate and housing goals, while preserving community and cultural value. It examined three retrofit and adaptive reuse projects in Halifax, Montréal, and Vancouver and concluded that reuse lowers not only carbon emissions but also costs.

“This report shows that the choices we make about existing buildings have profound and long‑term impacts,” says Adam Hatch, president of the CAHP. “When we look at carbon and cost over a building’s full life cycle, conserving and upgrading what we already have delivers meaningful benefits.”

Beyond environmental performance, the study found that retrofits are often faster to deliver and less disruptive than new construction. They also support local trade and economic activity and preserve community character.

To meet Canada’s climate and housing objectives, CAHP says existing buildings and adaptive reuse should be treated as integral components of national strategies. Current systems are designed primarily for new construction and treat reuse as exceptions, it says.

CAHP called for updated structural barriers in codes, zoning, and financing so they do not disadvantage adaptive reuse.

CAHP is a national, member-based organization representing qualified heritage professionals. Through its activities, it advocates for the conservation of Canada’s built, cultural, and landscape heritage.