6Create an electric and thermal energy consumption cap for new home construction by utilizing a municipal step code.

Progress Update

Not approved to proceed. The 2020 National Building and Energy Codes were released in April 2022. The codes introduce a tiered performance path, which is similar to a step code. The province is reviewing the codes for adoption and implementation in Saskatchewan. The City has been preparing a business option around building capacity around the upper tiers of the National Building Code. Through the option it is intended to meet or exceed the Milestone targets outlined in LEC Plan Actions #6 and #8. The Province is planning to adopt Tier 2 of 5 for energy performance for houses by January 1, 2024 and tier 3 of 5 by January 1, 2025. The LEC Plan calls for a 20% improvement by 2030, 40% by 2035, and Net Zero Ready (>80%) by 2036. Assuming the Province adopts Tier 3 by 2025, requiring a 20% improvement, the Province’s plan will exceed the LEC Targets in the short-term. However, Tier 4 adoption is required to meet the LEC’s Target of Net Zero Ready by 2036. That action called for a municipal step code to meet the targets, but the National Building Code has similar energy improvement requirements.