October 10, 2007

Green Building

Demand for LEED buildings outstrips supply of builders, cautions Canadian Construction Association

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

GATINEAU

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has advised municipalities to ensure there is a sufficient pool of available contractors conversant with green building techniques before mandating that bidders be LEED-qualified.

“Because the demand for LEED (certification) has grown so quickly, there have been questions raised as to whether there are a sufficient number of builders in a given area who have received LEED training or who are considered LEED certified,” CCA president Michael Atkinson said in a letter.

“The Canada Green Building Council and CCA are partnering to offer LEED courses throughout Canada. However, despite a growing number of course offerings, the fact is that demand continues to outpace supply of LEED-qualified builders.

“As a result, it can be difficult for builders to properly compete on municipal projects which are mandated to be LEED certified.”

Atkinson raised the issue in a letter to Brock Carlton, chief executive officer of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. A copy was distributed at a meeting of the CCA’s environment committee.

The association has not received a reply, said secretary Jeff Morrison.

In his letter, Atkinson recommended that municipalities check with local or provincial construction associations to determine whether there are in fact enough qualified builders “to ensure a competitive bidding process.

“This is a message we are hoping FCM can communicate to its individual members.”

FCM represents the interests of municipalities across the country. Its 1,600 members include Canada’s largest cities, small urban and rural communities and 18 municipal associations. At the meeting, environment committee members also were updated on steps being taken to implement a memorandum of understanding signed in June with the Canada Green Building Council.

In a report, Morrison said the CCA’s Gold Seal committee has officially certified both the full and half-day LEED for construction courses.

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