Saskatoon Energy Conservation Initiatives Under the City of Saskatoon’s Better Buildings Programs

Event Summary

The City of Saskatoon is looking to provide information and engage on some of the projects under their Better Buildings Programs including the following:

Commercial Energy Loan Program: Building on a 2023 feasibility study, the City launched a $25M initiative in 2024 to support energy and water retrofits for commercial and multi-unit buildings through loans, incentives, and educational tools. The City is currently designing this program and engaging community stakeholders.

Solar Admin Review: The City of Saskatoon is reviewing its solar permitting and approval process and is seeking stakeholders’ feedback to identify challenges and improve approval timelines and costs. Stakeholders include solar installers, residential and commercial property owners, utilities, and subject matter experts involved in solar installations.

Benchmarking, Labelling & Disclosure (BLD): Part of the Better Buildings Program, BLD aims to reduce energy use in community buildings, promote transparency, and track energy efficiency progress through a visual dashboard. Virtual audits will be part of the program to streamline data collection and support informed, effective implementation.

Building to Net-Zero: The objective of this project is to advance energy efficient building practices for new residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings in the city of Saskatoon and provide a structured path to regulating to the higher tiers of the 2020 National Model Codes while supporting industry.

Presenters

Introduction – Amber Weckworth, Manager of Climate, Strategy, & Data, Sustainability

Commercial Energy Loan Program – Caley Halcro, Project Manager, Sustainability

Solar Admin Review – Sambit Nayak, Project Manager, Sustainability

Benchmarking, Labelling & Disclosure and Building to Net-Zero – Jamie Leugner, Project Manager, Sustainability