FALL 2017
THE CLIMATE ISSUE
ALL FOR
NAUGHT! A TOUR OF NET ZERO HOMES
ONTARIO WOOD PRODUCERS SHOWCASE RESILIENT CITIES? WORLD’S FIRST EV DISCOVERY CENTRE TREETOPS! HOME FARMING INDOORS
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 1
Canadian Solar Industries Association
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2 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017
FALL 2017 The issue is climate change. It’s a big one, perhaps the biggest. And every Ontario resident can make a difference with their home management and consumer choices. The greatest impact of our homes is based on how they’re designed, built and updated. So we toured demonstration homes in Colorado, Ottawa and Toronto that employ technologies to make them energy, carbon and water neutral. Sound far-fetched? See our cover story on pages 8 and 9. At the site of the Zero House, David Suzuki spoke in support of “Just Cool It!”, his new book co-authored with Ian Hanington. We asked them what the homeowner could do to have a meaningful impact on climate change. “The best way to reduce your home’s climate impact is to conserve energy by unplugging devices and appliances that aren’t in use, switching to energy-efficient lighting, hanging clothes to dry and making sure your home is well insulated,” says Ian. “If possible, install solar panels or buy power from a company that uses renewable energy.” Another easy step is to eat healthy local produce - which can even be grown inside your home (see page 20). But it’s not just food we grow that counts. Trees capture carbon, clean our air and, tactically situated, reduce home heating and cooling costs. So let’s plant them! (See page 21 for incentive programs.) Transportation choices also have a massive climate effect. Walking, biking and ride sharing make impacts, but the greatest is a vehicle purchase. The world’s first Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre in Toronto is empowering fully informed decisions about EVs (see page 6). The very biggest climate change actions, however, will take place at regional and infrastructural levels. So to that end we asked Toronto’s first Chief Resilience Officer (page 22) about the long-term plan. We hope you find our research of value on this (ahem) hot topic.
Planting tomorrow’s
Forests
Paul Cassel Publisher Garry Wice Editor Gord Naunton Designer Brian Millar Contributing Writer Celeste Cassel de Camps Photographer Judy Hill Lovins Cover Inset Photo
Sales info@up-marketing.com Contact Our Green Home publisher@ourgreenhome.ca Copyright Groove Communications Inc. 2017. Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.
Tree Planting Funding Available By planting trees, you can help fight climate change, improve wildlife habitat and contribute to a greener, healthier Ontario. Funding assistance is available to landowners interested in planting on their properties. Forests Ontario is working with its tree planting partners across the province to deliver the Ontario government’s 50 Million Tree Program. If you have at least 2.5 acres of productive land, you could qualify.
“ If I knew planting through the 50 Million Tree Program was so easy and affordable I would have done it years ago.”
CALL OR VISIT US AT: FORESTS ONTARIO 416.646.1193 1.877.646.1193 FORESTSONTARIO.CA/50MTP Paid for, in part, by the Government of Ontario
– Mark Cullen
markcullen.com Canada’s Favourite Gardener, Green Leader 10,000 Gardening questions. Answered. OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 3
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LIVE EDGE SLABS
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One of the most effective things anyone can do to have a personal impact on the environment and climate change is to plant a tree. Ontario trees have lifespans ranging from 80 to 400 years, so a single tree can provide benefits for decades, if not centuries.
This is why every tree counts…and people are counting! Across Ontario, Forests Ontario is working with private landowners and the support of the provincial government to plant 50 million trees by 2025. More than 22 million trees have been planted since 2007. (The program provides subsidies of up to 90 per cent to eligible landowners with at least one hectare of open land.) To increase the numbers and celebrate Ontario and Canada’s 150th birthday, Forests Ontario launched the Green Leaf Challenge with the aim of having three million trees planted across the province in 2017. Individuals, businesses, schools as well as public organizations can participate. If you planted a tree - or trees - on your property anytime during this year, you can register them at greenleafchallenge.ca up until December 31 to make your contribution count. The Heritage Tree program is another 150th birthday event, recognizing 150 trees across Ontario that have historic, cultural or social significance. One has roots that pre-date confederation! The Trading Tree is a huge 200-year-old sugar maple in the Town of Georgina at the site where early settlers and members of the Chippewa First Nation met to trade. In Ottawa, The Champlain Oaks were recognized on National Tree Day, September 27th. They’re a community of pre-settlement Bur Oak trees descended directly from the open forest of the Ottawa River shoreline. They were named after Samuel de Champlain who explored the area in the 1600s and would have wandered past some of the parents of these stately giants. New members who join Forests Ontario by December 31 will receive ten tree seedlings next spring. Toronto is working to increase the city’s tree canopy to “maximize the potential ecological, social and economic benefits from urban trees” according to the city’s Strategic Forests Management Plan. The canopy currently covers about 27 per cent of Toronto’s area, among the best in the world for a large urban centre, but many trees are at risk due to their advancing age and/or invasive insects. The city plants over 100,000 trees annually in parks and along streets. The greatest potential for additional tree planting, however, is on private property, which makes up more than half the city’s area. The Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation is working with the City through the Every Tree Counts campaign to fund community tree-planting events in which residents receive a free tree after completing a questionnaire to determine the most appropriate tree for their property and attending a local workshop on how to plant and care for it. “The Foundation provides Tree For Me grants to community organizations because we know they do the best work at engaging their communities. In turn, these communities make Toronto greener by planting trees in their own neighbourhoods,” says Executive Director Carla Grant. “We also focus on building capacity in the charitable sector, providing grants to larger scale tree planting and tree-care initiatives. Our goal is to give all citizens the knowledge and tools necessary to carry out successful tree planting.” Scott Danford, Forestry Program Manager with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority in Ottawa, says “Trees in our cities have tremendous value. Aesthetics, shade, wildlife, soil conservation, erosion control, carbon sequestration, oxygen production, windbreak, sound barrier… there are so many!”
Heritage Trees
For that reason, Danford says it’s important to know your objectives when planting a tree so you choose the right species. “Plant native trees,” he emphasizes. “You’re going to have a lot more success. They will outgrow and out-perform trees that are imported.” Native trees also provide much higher environmental benefits to surrounding plants and wildlife because they’re all part of the same integrated ecosystem. Unfortunately, not every new tree survives. “Typically, in an urban or suburban situation, soils are poor,” says Bob Reeves. His company, Root Rescue, has developed a unique organic plant starter that greatly improves the chances that new trees and shrubs (as well as flowers and vegetables) will survive. Transplanter MS-CS is a powder that is mixed with water and applied just once at the time of planting. “It’s a highly concentrated collection of dormant spores of the fungus family mycorrhiza that awaken in the presence of water and a root system,” says Reeves. These spores attach to the roots and develop a symbiotic relationship in which “the fungi give the roots extra resources that allow the plant to find more water and nutrients in the soil.” In the wild, you can find these same fungi attached to the roots of forest
trees and prairie grasses. “They’re everywhere in undisturbed natural soils,” notes Reeves. “Where you won’t find them is in suburban and urban soils.” Ironically, when you dig a hole for planting and try to improve the soil by adding new earth or peat moss, you disturb whatever mycorrhiza that might already be present. “The idea of our product is to restore these natural helpers to the soil,” says Reeves. Research conducted by the University of Guelph “showed that Transplanter MS-CS improves the Water Potential of treated plants - reducing stress, and allowing plants to successfully establish on a new site.” While the benefits of an urban canopy are beyond question, trees take time to grow. If we want our cities and our children to enjoy these benefits in the future, we have plant and maintain tomorrow’s forest today. Follow the famous advice of the great American conservationist Aldo Leopold. When asked when is the best time to plant a tree, he replied “Twenty years ago…the second best time is now.” n
Tree planting program links: Fifty Million Trees, Heritage Trees, and the 10 Free Tree membership offer: forestsontario.ca Making Trees Count and Tree For Me programs: torontoparksandtrees.ca Rideau Valley Conservation Authority-Stewardship Services & Grants: rvca.ca
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Contact Ontario Screen Systems Inc. for a free estimate! 1.888.PHANTOM (742-6866) | phantomscreens.ca
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 5
DISCOVER WHY ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE FOR EVERYONE
T
ransportation is the largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sector in Ontario, accounting for nearly 27 per cent of Ontario’s total GHG emissions. That’s about 48.5 million tonnes or the same weight as 120 cruise ships entering our atmosphere every single year. Nearly 40 per cent of these emissions come from the 6.7 million light-duty cars, trucks and SUVs that travel Ontario’s roads and highways. Fortunately, Ontario’s electricity grid is one of the cleanest in the world and if just one in every ten gas cars were swapped for an electric vehicle (EV), we could reduce emissions by an eye-popping 2.7 million tonnes per year. In order to help drivers make the switch to an EV, Plug’n Drive opened the world’s first Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre (EVDC). The EVDC is a one-stop-shop where consumers can learn about the environmental and economic benefits of EVs in a sales-free, no–pressure environment. EV drivers can save about $2000 on fuel and maintenance annually and benefit from up to $15,000 in provincial incentives on the purchase of EVs and home chargers. Every home in Ontario has access to electricity, so why are we not taking advantage of this clean, affordable and plentiful resource? Once you’ve decided to take the next step into an electrified future, it’s time to get your home EV-ready with a charging station. There are three levels, or speeds, of charging.
Level 1 (One hour of charge ~ 8 km of range) Many people are surprised to hear that you can charge an electric car using a regular wall socket; the same wall socket that you charge your smartphone or laptop with. All electric cars come with a cord-set in the trunk that lets you to do this, which means every Ontarian already has a charging station at home.
Level 2 (One Hour of Charge ~ 30 km of Range) Level 2 is the most common speed of charging and many EV drivers install a Level 2 station at home. Level 2 stations are purchased separately from your car and there are a number of manufacturers to choose from. A Level 2 station has about the same electrical requirements as a clothes dryer plug and any licensed electrician is qualified to install them.
Level 3 (One Hour Charge ~ 250 km of Range) Level 3 charging stations are super-fast stations that are often called DC Quick chargers. In 30 minutes to an hour (depending on battery size), you can fully charge from empty to full. Level 3 stations are not installed at home. Instead, Level 3 stations can be found along major roads and highways throughout Ontario. If you need to find a public charging station, of course there’s an app for that. Download PlugShare or ChargeHub from the Google Play or App Store to find a public charging station near you.
Multi-Unit Residential Charging There is no one size fits all solution for multi-residential charging: some buildings install a large bank of Level 2 stations in EV-only zones, some install sub-metered stations at individual parking spots and some install high voltage outlets putting the onus on the resident to buy the station. Plug’n Drive, in partnership with the Canadian Condominium Institute, prepared a guide to help you through the process (bit.ly/enabling-ev-charging). In 2017, electric vehicle sales in Ontario experienced their highest growth yet. With demand on the rise and more and more EV makes and models coming to market, charging is quickly becoming an essential amenity for condo and home-buyers alike. With many automakers planning to electrify their entire line-up and countries banning gas cars, it is no longer an ‘if’ but a ‘when’ we will all be driving electric. n
VISIT THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE DISCOVERY CENTRE Your one-stop-destination for electric vehicle and home charging station demonstrations 1126 Finch Avenue West North York, Ontario info@plugndrive.ca | 647-717-6941 plugndrive.ca 6 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017
EV test drives in the latest makes and models Home charging gallery Family-friendly space Sales-free environment Open six days a week
The ideal tree cover in a city is
At Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, we believe everyone should have access to trees and the many benefits they provide. We’re here to help make it happen through Every Tree Counts. That means more trees in our yards, more trees in our communities, and more trees in our city. We all have a role to play in making our city greener.
Sign up for your tree at everytreecounts.ca Let’s get planting, Toronto.
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 7
Zero House
ALL FOR NOTHING...
BUILDING FOR ZERO! Welcome to the age of net zero in which buildings aim to consume net zero energy, net zero water and net zero carbon over their annual cycles. Buildings that achieve net zero energy and net zero water produce as much energy and capture as much water as they use on a yearly basis. Net zero carbon buildings store as much carbon as they release. Homes like these exist and people are living in them now. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t necessarily cost any more to build, but they will definitely save money over time. Scientist Amory Lovins, a pioneer of the concept, lives in one of the most energy-efficient buildings on the planet, which he built over 30 years ago 2,500 metres up in the Colorado Rockies. His home introduced some of the key components of low-energy homes such as super-insulated walls and high-performance triple-pane windows that insulate like 22 sheets of standard glass. Outdoor solar panels power the house, which is outfitted with super high-efficiency electric appliances and devices. With storage batteries and inverters, Lovins can operate on or off-grid. Making the most of the connection, his electric car monitors the price of electricity by the minute, downloading it when the price is low and selling it back when it’s high. The home also takes maximum advantage of the sun for passive solar heating and natural lighting. “Actually, we designed this building for archeologists in the future,” laughs Lovins. “They’ll probably conclude from the orientation that it was some kind of temple built by a primitive solar cult, which I guess is about right.” Hot water is provided by a solar water heater on the roof and feeds a radiant heating system embedded in the floors and drawing wamth from the sun as it circulates through pipes embedded in south-facing walls and the upper reaches of his living room/solarium - which is full of fruit-bearing tropical plants. By using wider-diameter pipes and laying them out with minimal bends and angles, Lovins reduced the energy needed to pump the water by 75 per cent. Amory’s meticulous experimentation with his home contributed to the development of the Passive House building standard, which minimizes the energy required for interior heating and cooling, and the Passivhaus movement which is now established in Europe and gaining momentum in North America. On building in Canada, Lovins advises “You want to be super-insulated, and passive net zero or better. Why would you do anything else? It isn’t cheaper to build another way, and it’s much costlier to run for you - and the planet!” 8 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017
In Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood, Rolf Paloheimo has been living for over twenty years in a home which he describes it as “an early attempt to do net zero energy and water.” The home’s design won the Canadian Mortgage and Housing’s Healthy House competition in the mid-1990s. Despite no furnace or connection to the municipal water and sewage systems, Rolf says “It’s the most comfortable house I’ve ever lived in.” Thirty per cent of the home’s energy is generated by solar, while an air-towater heat pump provides the other 70 per cent. Depending on the season, the pump circulates hot or cold water through pipes in the floors and ceilings to control the interior temperature. Paloheimo can’t say enough about radiant heating and cooling which eliminates drafts and sharp temperature changes. “It’s a lot more efficient than trying to move massive amounts of air around inside a building.” Rain collected from the roof provides water, which is recirculated through a purification system and used multiple times. Like Lovins’ home, the Healthy House also has super-efficient windows, highly insulated concrete walls and rooftop solar panels. With ample battery storage, he rarely needs to draw power from the grid. Whether renovating or building new, Paloheimo recommends HOT2000, an online energy simulation and design tool for low-rise residential buildings from the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada. It shows how various design options will affect the energy efficiency of your home. In Ontario today, 22 per cent of the province’s carbon emissions come from buildings and the energy they consume. As part of its climate change strategy, the province is revising the Ontario Building Code and has committed to require all buildings built after 2030 to be “net zero ready”. “I think that’s great,” says Paloheimo. “It’s about time we got off fossil fuels which are so ingrained in the building code now.” Two recent demonstration projects show what can be done today. Zero House is a collaboration between the Endeavour Centre and Ryerson University, in which students and faculty have created a model that aims to achieve sustainable building’s highest goals. It can be erected to stand alone or in rows or stacks of townhouses. Chris Magwood, Executive Director of the Endeavour Centre, says Zero House has five key objectives: zero greenhouse gases, zero utility bills, zero construction waste, zero toxic materials and zero cost premiums. The Zero House is literally ‘built from carbon’ with wood and other plantbased materials making up the vast bulk of the structure. For insulation, it uses natural materials including straw, cork, wood fibre and mycofoam, which is literally grown from agricultural waste fibre inoculated with spores from mushrooms! Choosing these materials results in a net sequestration of 25 tons of carbon dioxide, compared with a typical similarly sized building’s greenhouse gas emissions of 28 to 45 tons.
Healthy House
Tiny House
RENOVATE FOR ZERO!
To achieve net zero energy, Zero House’s south-facing roof is clad with 32 thin, lightweight solar panels that can produce 3,840 watts of power. Annually, their output should amount to the electricity needed to operate the Zero House. These self-adhesive solar panels require no metal frame or rack, eliminating the need for fasteners to penetrate and compromise the building’s envelope seal. High-performance insulating membranes covering the inner and outer walls make the Zero House virtually airtight to minimize thermal transfer. Fibreglass-framed triple-pane windows and exterior doors complete the seal while a temperature-activated moisture barrier helps to optimize indoor humidity. Heating and cooling are provided by a mini-split air source heat pump. A heat-exchanging, through-wall ventilation system removes the need for the standard parallel duct ventilation system (a huge building-cost saving) while delivering excellent indoor air quality in addition to energy savings. Echoing Lovins’ comments, Magwood says, “Zero House is proof that it’s possible to meet the highest aspirations for reducing climate impacts, energy efficiency, occupant health and safety, and ecological responsibility with existing technologies at an affordable cost.” The Zero House was on display in October at EDIT, a ten-day festival of design, innovation and technology held in Toronto, where thousands of people had the opportunity to tour this home of future - that can be built today. People in Ottawa recently got to visit the Tiny House at Carleton University during Green Energy Doors Open. This 220-square-foot net zero energy/net zero water house was designed and built on a trailer by a group of Carleton engineering and architecture students, who call themselves the Northern Nomad Group. The group was supervised by Assistant Professor Scott Bucking who says “As a house shrinks, it has less volume and more surface area than a normal house, so the benefits of how well you insulate the house and how airtight it is are amplified.” At the same time, Bucking notes “If you decrease the footprint, you also decrease the area on the roof that you can collect electricity from using solar panels…so it’s a tricky balancing act.” He notes the Tiny House was an interesting challenge “because no one before has really thought about what renewable energy integration looks like with a tiny building.” To achieve net-zero water, the Tiny House uses excess electricity from its rooftop solar panels to dehumidify outside air, producing water which is stored in a 1,000 litre rainwater tank hidden under a raised floor. “We wanted to use new technologies and niche applications,” says Bucking. “We need all systems go if we’re going to look at what some of the solutions to climate change might be.” Referring to the proposed changes for the Ontario Building Code, he says “Net-Energy ready by 2030 isn’t enough for me. We’ve got to do more, quicker!”
A century-old home in Leslieville, on display during Green Energy Doors Open in Toronto, showed what’s possible when net-zero and Passive Home approaches are applied to a renovation. “Airtightness is the grail of Passive Homes. It’s the thing we need to do to make our insulation work more effectively,” says Rowan Caister, Greening Homes’ project manager on the job. “But accessing all the spaces in an older home is often a challenge.” There are often work-arounds, however, like applying insulation to the outside of a building. ‘Outsulation’ as it is called, also helps reduce thermal bridging which occurs when studs and fasteners (which have a lower R-value than the insulated cavities they separate) create pathways in the wall for uncontrolled heat loss or gain. For joining, adhesives are preferred over fasteners because they don’t penetrate surfaces and disrupt the thermal properties of a material. Where fasteners have to be used, they are sealed with an insulating coating. The insulation used was cellulose and Roxul. Made from recycled paper products, cellulose has a small environmental footprint. It also fills cavities that batt insulation can’t, such as behind electrical boxes. ROXUL is made from stone and wool. Unlike other batt products, if it gets wet or moist, it dries without compromising performance. To insulate and seal around doors and windows, a non-toxic liquid insulation was used. Special shims ensured airtightness around the window casements. Greening Homes favours fibreglass windows (which can have wood on the inside surfaces) over vinyl. Windows with double or triple panes and insulating gases such as argon between them have higher R-values. Coatings or film can further control thermal transfer to suit the windows location in the house. In the walls and ceilings, wiring is physically separated from insulated areas by running it through “chases” and interior to vapour barriers to avoid compromising their performance.
Which WINdows?
On the left, a triple-pane in a thermal resistant fiberglass frame, tightly fit with external non-penetrating fasteners into a laterally insulated, gel sealed cavity. On the right, a standard window installation. You can see the difference. The inhabitants will experience it for the life of the home.
Greening Homes’s energy efficient approach was well-contrasted by the renovation of the other half of the building by conventional methods also under way. Many differences were plain to see. “Many of the materials that allow us to do this work are effectively costneutral right now to buy, but can have a drastic impact on the performance of your home,” says Caister. An energy efficient renovation will save homeowners money over the life of the structure, all the while contributing to our collective efforts on climate – that’s no small change! n OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 9
QUALITY
YOU CAN SEE. Canada is a nation rich in natural resources. These resources include an abundance of forests, and Ontario is home to many of these natural areas. Our forests have shaped our collective history, and enrich our lives. Ontario’s forests, and the wide variety of tree species found within them, have always been an important part of the province’s economic growth and development. Ontarians have used the province’s abundant trees to build our homes, create our furnishings, craft boats to explore our waterways, and to produce many other products, from intricate bowls and beautiful cutting boards to sturdy flooring and more. Today, more than 170,000 people depend on the forestry industry for their livelihood, a number that continues to grow. The industry is a key part of a healthy, growing economy that supports 260 communities across the province and contributed $15.5 billion to the provincial economy last year. Incredibly, Ontario’s forests are home to more than 85 billion trees. Annually, we harvest less than one-fifth of one percent of our forest area, which is approximately 130,000 hectares of forest area. Sustainable . forests is integral as Ontario has management of10our some of the best-managed forests in the world.
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. OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 PAID FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
Our forests are a precious resource that must be sustained and taken care of for future generations.
THE ONTARIO WOOD PROGRAM Ontario Wood supports the province’s forest industry and promotes the sustainability of our forests through raising awareness of the importance of choosing local wood and wood products, helping Ontarians find these products in their communities, and supporting craftspeople and businesses that source and produce these goods. The program is also supported by industry partners across the province.
WHY CHOOSE ONTARIO WOOD? We believe that choosing products created from our province’s forests is the natural choice. By buying locally made products crafted from Ontario’s diverse range of tree species, Ontarians contribute to our province’s prosperity and growth, support their communities’ economic health and help preserve jobs for the many thousands of people employed in the industry. Choosing Ontario wood also means supporting global environmental stewardship. Wood requires far less energy than do other materials to manufacture into products, it generates less air and water pollution, and it has a lower carbon footprint. Sustainable forest
ONTARIO’S AMAZING TREES Ontario is home to an incredible diversity of tree species and to some of the finest wood on the planet. Ontario Wood’s partners take advantage of both hardwood and softwood species in the province to create their products. Here are the major species you can find in Ontario’s forests: SOFTWOODS (mostly used in construction and for building materials)
management allows Ontario wood to meet society’s need for forest products while preserving forest health and diversity for the future. When you choose locally made Ontario wood products for home renovations, furnishings and more, you are making a choice that is good for the environment and good for your community. Ontario wood is a renewable, natural resource that, when carefully managed, can support Ontarians both now and in the future. Of course, buying products made from Ontario wood is about more than being a good environmental steward and an economic booster. Local craftspeople and manufacturers produce an incredible variety of beautiful and unique products, including one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, durable wooden treasures, furniture, and furnishings that can be passed down from generation to generation, and that add beauty and unique style to your home and your life.
ONTARIO WOOD’S PARTNERS: BRINGING THE BEST OF ONTARIO WOOD TO ONTARIANS On the pages that follow, you will meet some of Ontario Wood’s partners, a wide range of artisans and builders across the province who use beautiful and sustainably sourced Ontario wood to craft their products. Partners must meet requirements before they become part of the Ontario Wood program. For example, at least 75% of the wood used in their products must be sustainably sourced from trees that are native to Ontario or are commercially grown in Ontario and sourced from sustainably managed forests. The remaining 25% can come from sustainably managed forests in the rest of Canada as long as that wood is from tree species that are native to or commercially grown in Ontario. All of the processing associated with the manufacturing of the products must take place in facilities located in Ontario.
Balsam fir
Black spruce
Eastern hemlock
Currently, Ontario Wood has more than 350 partners—and this number is growing as more businesses discover the Ontario Wood program and take advantage of the benefits it offers, including the chance to connect with other businesses and introduce Ontarians to the variety of high-quality items they produce. Our partners craft an incredible range of products, from beautiful wooden salad sets to custom furniture to complete log homes, and everything in-between. They provide employment for Ontarians and are an important part of their communities’ economic health and growth. You can find Ontario Wood partners in your community on our website, at www.ontario.ca/page/ find-ontario-wood-products. Look for our partners’ products at your local building centre, furniture store, artisan gallery, gift shop, and more. When you see the Ontario Wood logo on products—you are guaranteed that you are purchasing a local product that supports local jobs, Ontario’s economy, and preserves our forests for generations to come.
Eastern white cedar
Eastern white pine (Ontario’s official tree)
Jack pine
Red pine
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ONTARIO WOOD
Hickory
You can find out more about the Ontario Wood program by visiting our website at www.ontario.ca/ wood. If you are interested in becoming an Ontario Wood partner, please visit www.ontario.ca/page/ become-ontario-wood-partner. You’ll find out everything you need to know about joining Ontario Wood. n
Tamarack (also known as larch)
White spruce
HARDWOODS (used to build furniture, cabinetry, artworks, housewares, and flooring)
American beech
Ash
Basswood (also known as linden)
Black cherry
Black walnut
Poplar (also known as trembling aspen)
Red maple (soft maple)
Red oak
Sugar maple (hard maple)
White birch
White oak (bur)
Yellow birch
Join Ontario Wood and some of our Partners at:
You can find a handy reference guide to these common Ontario tree species at
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
www.ontario.ca/page/ types-ontario-wood.
IIDEX - (Nov. 29 - Dec. 1) Interior Design Show - (Jan. 18 - 21)
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 11
P A R T N E R
P R O D U C E R S
ANGLEWOOD CUSTOM FURNITURE ALEX OSLOPOV www.anglewood.ca • aoslopov@gmail.com Life is short, so I gave this whole “do what you love” idea a shot. And what I love doing is working with live edge slabs and designing unique furniture. Something about wood - taking the rough shape and bringing all the beauty out of it - that’s a very satisfying and rewarding process. Working with local wood only, from a shop in North York and a retail location in Aurora, we are building pieces for sale and taking custom orders for dining tables, coffee tables, benches and other residential or commercial interior projects. We feel our designs are modern, different and always evolving.
BAKER BROTHERS BLAIR BAKER Pickering, ON • 416 899 7049 www.bakerbrothers.ca • bakerbrothers@bell.net Blair Baker started his custom woodworking company in 2012. Projects such as furniture, lighting, feature walls, custom structures and artwork are designed and handcrafted utilizing reclaimed Ontario wood. One of Blair’s outstanding accomplishments is his design of the Forever Bench, handcrafted from a branch of the majestic Maple Leaf Forever Tree. In 2015, Blair was awarded a branch of the tree for his design. In 2016, the RBC Emerging Artists Fund donated funds so the Ontario Science Centre could purchase the bench where it is now on display. Blair showcases his work at trade shows and on his website bakerbrothers.ca.
BARNBOARDSTORE 416 471 9452 www.barnboardstore.com • sales@barnboardstore.com Instagram/Twitter/Facebook @barnboardstore Barnboardstore is the leading supplier of barn board, reclaimed wood and live edge slabs in the GTA and beyond. We make custom furniture for homeowners, business owners and commercial projects using locally reclaimed and salvaged material from all across Ontario. We have a passion for quality woodworking and enjoy turning our clients’ visions into reality. Over eight years, we’ve grown from a single-person operation to now having three retail stores/warehouses in Toronto, Hamilton and Durham Region. Best of Houzz Service Winner 2014, 2015, 2016.
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. OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 PAID FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
BROTHERS DRESSLER 225 Sterling Road, Unit 16, Toronto, ON, • 416 910 5892 www.brothersdressler.com • info@brothersdressler.com Brothers Dressler has been creating original one-of-a-kind and small-batch production furniture and lighting from their studio in Toronto’s vibrant Sterling Road area since 2003. Focusing on high-quality craftsmanship as well as responsibly sourced woods and other materials, each piece is made to last generations. Building for both residential and commercial clients, their finely crafted and award-winning work can be found in collections across Canada and around the world. They have an extensive made-to-order catalogue of timeless designs with hundreds of options available, as well as custom designs. Contact them for a studio visit.
CAM LAVERS DESIGNS INC. CAM LAVERS Erin, ON • 905 703 8112 www.PepperMills.ca • Cam@PepperMills.ca Cam has been making functional works in wood since 2002. His work has evolved from reproduction and original furniture, into specializing in salt and pepper mills made from naturally fallen Ontario tree branches. Left in their natural form, Cam calls them Cottage Mills®. They are his original creation. After felling a tree 12 years ago, Cam was inspired by what nature had done to the wood over time and wondered if he could make mills out of the branches. They turned out amazing! Today, there are over 45,000 Cottage Mills® in homes and restaurants around the world. Cam sells them from his homebased studio, online and at shows throughout Ontario. He also has retail partners all over North America and some overseas.
CHERRYWOOD STUDIO BARB BENOIT King, ON • 416 254 8974 www.cherrywoodstudio.ca • info@cherrywoodstudio.ca Cherrywood Studio creates contemporary furniture. We locally source large hardwood trees that would otherwise be destined for landfills. These majestic sentinels of nature are brought to life again by transforming them into exquisite furniture. Our philosophy is to let the wood itself shape our designs. True to its organic origin, we follow the natural contours of the wood, highlighting the grain. We create works of art and nature with our clients who are encouraged to be involved in the process of creating their new heirloom. Cherrywood Studio’s tables are created for discriminating consumers who seek contemporary fine furniture that is individual in its personality and sustainable in its origin. Studio visits by appointment.
DANIEL DAIGLE FINE WOODWORKING Located just north of Cobourg, ON www.danieldaiglefinewoodworking.com • ddfww2@gmail.com Daniel Daigle has been designing and hand-building finely crafted wooden furniture for over 35 years in Northumberland County. Dan’s reputation has been built on quality craftsmanship and his attention to details when custom designing pieces to meet the individual needs of his clients. His knowledge of furniture design is shown in the balanced proportions and joinery details of each piece, ensuring it will be enjoyed for generations. To ensure the highest standards on every project, only the finest hand-selected materials are used. Each piece is then designed and built to complement its intended space and the owner’s lifestyle. Dan realizes the importance of a community in the success of small businesses and local artisans. Some of Dan’s works can been seen in Stonewood Gallery in Cobourg where he and wife Kim showcase a variety of local and Canadian talents.
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P A R T N E R
P R O D U C E R S
G&P ANTIQUES AND CUSTOM CABINETRY Markham, ON • 905 640 5778 www.gpantiques.ca • paolo@gpantiques.ca Since 1991, G&P Antiques and Custom Cabinetry has been creating custom cabinetry and unique furniture pieces emphasizing the natural beauty of wood. Our work includes custom kitchens, vanities, wall units, harvest tables, benches and more. We work hand-in-hand with our clients to design one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from the rustic to the elegant. From start to finish, our workshop doors are always open. We are known for our high-quality materials, craftsmanship and eye for detail. It’s our passion to transform raw materials into pieces that will be loved and cherished for a lifetime!
GENERATIONAL DESIGN WORKS LES SCOTTON, VICTORIA SCOTTON, DANIEL SCOTTON Tottenham, ON 905 936 5528 www.generationaldesign.ca • Instagram: @generationaldesignworks victoria@generationaldesign.ca Generational Design specializes in creating one-of-a-kind wall clocks using Ontario wood species and hand-bent metal hoops. The base style can be uniquely customized with small changes that make our clocks attractive to all demographics. We sell our clocks in select markets, online through our website, on social media and in special retail stores. Our clocks are made in five sizes: 18”, 21”, 25”, 30” and 34” diameters. Prices range from $110 - $250.
JACOB ANTONI Toronto, ON 647 772 6336 www.JacobAntoni.com • Jacob_Antoni@hotmail.com Jacob Antoni is an award-winning designer who draws on traditional woodcrafting techniques to create inventive contemporary pieces. His “Latitude” lamp was the winner of Toronto’s 2016 Interior Design Show Prototype section and an Honouree of the NYCxDesign Awards. This gravity-defying lamp, inspired by the balance of the maple key, exemplifies the exquisite craft and innovative twist of his work. Jacob develops and produces a wide range of unique designs: from handcrafted kitchenware and furniture, to custom interiors. His studio and showroom are located in downtown Toronto. Come by and say hello!
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OUR GREEN HOME 2017 PAID FOR. FALL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
KAZA WOOD FURNITURE MARCUS MELO 247 Barton Street, Stoney Creek, ON • 905 962 2343 www.kazawoodfurniture.ca • marcus@kazawoodfurniture.ca Kaza Wood Furniture is one of Ontario’s leading producers of authentic handcrafted fine furniture. Working from our customers’ exact specifications, we design, create, finish and deliver well-priced, beautiful works of “functional art”. Handcrafted in sustainable, solid Ontario wood with our exclusive environmentally friendly, highly durable hemp oil and waterborne finish, our pieces are designed for everyday use at home and work. We offer a range of exclusive Kaza Wood Furniture designs, solid woods, stains and paints which are used in creating your one-of-a-kind masterpiece.Check out our website or book an appointment to visit us at our showroom for your furniture, accessory and home décor needs.
LIVE EDGED WOODCRAFT BILL MAJOR Georgina, ON • 289 221 1174 www.liveedgedwoodcraft.ca • liveedgedwoodcraft@gmail.com Live Edged Woodcraft is a company that uses reclaimed Ontario hardwood to produce cross-cut live edged cheese boards and placemats, as well as live edged tables. Our cheese boards are used as charcuterie boards and serving platters. We treat our cheese boards with several coats of natural hemp seed oil and our own hemp seed oil/natural bees wax mixture. Our live edge tables are finished with Osmo, a hard wax oil consisting of three naturally occurring oils and two naturally occurring waxes. We are exhibitors during the last six days of the Christmas One of a Kind Show & Sale in Toronto, and sell in several retail outlets. We are unique in using cross-cut wood, which is stable and easily reflects the wonderful artistry of Mother Nature. We see ourselves working as midwives to bring out nature’s beauty in wood.
LUSH WOODCRAFT JEN NICOLAES 106 McBrine Place, Kitchener, ON • 519 404 1513 www.lushwoodcraft.ca • info@lushwoodcraft.ca Lush Woodcraft specializes in making custom furniture out of live edge and reclaimed barn wood. From tables and hutches, to bar stools and very hip barn wood doors, our work can be found in homes, cottages, restaurants and businesses all over North America. All of our wood and metal work is completed in our workshop, enabling us to create any custom piece you desire. You can shop on our website or get your own custom quote by contacting us or visiting our showroom. We’re always available to discuss any project you have in mind.
MADAWASKA DOORS GIRVAN PATTERSON Barry’s Bay, ON • 613 276 1216 • 1 800 263 2358 www.madawaska-doors.com • girvanp@yahoo.com Building on a century of experience - and now with new management - Madawaska Doors continues to deliver the ultimate in exterior and interior natural, solid-wood doors. For discerning homeowners looking to distinguish their new home or renovation, nothing surpasses the warmth and uniqueness of a solid-wood door. In addition to its inherent beauty, solid-wood also offers superior insulating qualities over non-traditional materials. Drawing on our heritage craftsmanship, each door is custom-made in our environmentally friendly plant in the heart of the Ottawa Valley. You can view the complete range of options on our website or at our showroom in Arnprior.
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 15
P A R T N E R
P R O D U C E R S
MICHAEL FINKELSTEIN, ECO-WOODTURNER Toronto, ON • 416 487 2353 www.ecowoodturner.com michael@ecowoodturner.com I create wooden bowls, mills, pens and serving boards from felled trees found on the streets of the GTA. Utilizing recycled logs helps me minimize the environmental impact of my work. I enjoy highlighting the tree’s predominate grain and figure. I enhance the beauty of each piece by applying a hand-rubbed natural, non-toxic finish. All of my creations are intended to have both form and function. In 2013, I was commissioned by the ROM to create a nested set of bowls from the historic Maple Leaf Forever Tree. These pieces are now part of its permanent collection.
MUMA FINE WOODWORKING WAYNE MUMA 2141a Line 43 RR#1 Stratford ON • 519 274 2524 muma.ca • wayne@muma.ca • Instagram: @wayne_muma Driven by passion, curiosity and a strong connection to the natural world, it was inevitable that Wayne Muma would pursue the fine art of woodworking. Muma Fine Woodworking, located near Stratford, Ontario, produces one-of-a-kind wood products, including Danishinspired furniture, Nakashima-inspired furniture, millwork, countertops and wooden accessories. The creative challenge to shape and unite materials into a functional form resonates with Wayne. He primarily uses traditional hand tools as they strengthen the connection between the tree and the final form. “The silence in the shop makes it more personal,” says Wayne. His journey to become more accomplished has meant hours of time spent alone working wood and sharpening steel. At present, Wayne’s shop also has an eclectic mix of modern and vintage power equipment that’s always evolving. He believes that wood working should be a heathy balance between the past and present.
ORGANIC INTERIORS JASON KUEPFER 7135 Side Rd 10, Ariss, ON, N0B1B0 • 519 272 5676 www.organicinteriors.ca • info@organicinteriors.ca Organic Interiors creates local handcrafted, ecologically sustainable furniture for homes, offices and restaurants. Using formaldehyde-free finishing, all our creations are made from barns and trees found in Southern Ontario. We specialize in threshing floor and live edge tables, bars, counter tops and serving platters. Each piece comes with its own story to tell, as the wood we use - whether reclaimed from old barns or fallen trees - has its own unique history. We offer in-home or in-restaurant consultations and online sales. Customers can also visit our showroom in Ariss, Ontario, located 10 minutes from Guelph.
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OUR GREEN HOME 2017 PAID FOR. FALL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
OUT OF THE WOODS CUSTOM WOODWORKING JOSEPH NEFSKY Severn Bridge, ON • 647 204 0002 www.OutOfTheWoods.Works • j.nefsky@outlook.com Out of the Woods Custom Woodworking uses locally sourced, and otherwise sustainably sourced wood, to create high-quality one-of-a-kind specialty pieces. From rustic and natural, to modern and functional, we customize furniture, accessories and home decor to your specifications. Joseph Nefsky is an extremely driven individual with the passion to design and build beautiful one-of-a-kind creations. After graduating from the University of GuelphHumber with a BBA in Marketing, he found his true passion in woodworking where he now focuses his time. You can follow his daily work on Instagram @OutOfTheWoods.Works or on his website.
PIONEER HANDCRAFT LIMITED Main showroom and Shop: #1115 Highway 11 South, Severn Bridge, ON 705 689 2604 • 1 800 567 6604 Georgian Bay Showroom: Highway 400 North, Waubaushene, ON • 705 538 9989 www.pioneerhandcraft.ca • info@pioneerhandcraft.ca Our family here at Pioneer Handcraft creates pieces of furniture that are authentic and original. We take pride in our craftsmanship and designs - after all, these are the things that have made us a Canadian original since our modest beginnings in the late 1930s. There is an honest simplicity in the design of each piece we build, making each one timeless and durable. From materials and techniques, to finishes and the personal service we provide, a cottage or special space can be called complete with the addition of a Pioneer Handcraft log chair or bunk bed. From our famous seating pieces, to a one-off custom cabinet, each made-to-order piece is handmade - an heirloom to be handed down for generations to come.
PREMIER CUSTOM WOODWORKS LTD. & RUSTIC HOME INTERIORS RYAN BAMBACH, JENNIFER BAMBACH Arthur, ON • 519 778 5441 Premiercustomwoodworks.com • Ryan@premiercustomwoodworks.com Premier Custom Woodworks Ltd. & Rustic Home Interiors is owned and operated by Ryan and Jennifer Bambach. Our cabinetry and wood work is as timeless and elegant as it is functional. Our design work is premised upon classical lines and proportions that fit not only into the room your cabinetry is going into…but also your lifestyle. All of our cabinetry is hand-built and constructed with pride using new or, when possible, reclaimed materials. Believing in green manufacturing, we only order in what is needed for each job. In an effort to guarantee quality, fit and finish, we make all of our own doors and cabinet parts so they will fit perfectly into the kitchen of your dreams!
RED HILL WOODS Hamilton, ON • 905 572 3830 www.redhillwoods.com Red Hill Woods is a custom woodworking business that makes personalized wooden creations of the highest quality. All of our pieces are one-of-a-kind, designed to your specifications, for your home. We make: • Tables of any length, width, thickness and height with wooden or metal bases; • Wine racks that may spark more interest than the wines they hold; • Charcuterie boards that enhance the presentation of your meats, cheeses or canapes, whether you are hosting two or twenty people. Red Hill Woods uses only locally and ethically harvested hardwoods.
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P A R T N E R
P R O D U C E R S
REKINDLE Toronto, ON • 416 278 5502 www.rekindleyourlife.ca • info@rekindleyourlife.ca We have three guiding principles for everything we do: create high-quality goods that are meant to last, use materials that age gracefully, and support experiences that bring people together. We create goods with materials that get better with time and use - and which become even more special when they are used often. Our main inspiration for design is to reflect enduring and long-lasting experiences. When we design, longevity is key. We see rekindle goods being passed-on through generations, creating heirloom products with a lifetime of memories. To do this, our products need to be emotionally connected to people’s lives. If we design functional and beautiful goods around experiences, and they are enjoyed for generations, then our goods stand the test of time - the ultimate sustainable product.
RUSTIC RECLAIMED ORIGINALS JOANNE DULLARD Wellington, ON www.rusticreclaimedoriginals.com • rusticreclaimedoriginals@gmail.com For Rustic Reclaimed Originals owner Joanne Dullard, a diverse career in publishing, communications and entertainment marketing held a common thread of creativity and ingenuity. That same mindset is now directed to the creation of reclaimed wood products. Based in Wellington, Prince Edward County, Rustic Reclaimed Originals started producing a line of signs in 2014. From there, the product selection has expanded to home accessories and décor. We source materials from local farms, fallen trees and barn demolition/renovations. The variety of wood lends itself to the creativity involved in making products. Many times, designs are led by what materials are available.
SIMPLY ROOTED WOODSHOP WINDEKIND BUTEAU-DUITSCHAEVER Waterloo, ON • 519 760 5039 simplyrootedwoodshop@gmail.com • simplyrootedwoodshop.esty.com instagram: @simplyrootedwoodshop Windekind Buteau-Duitschaever started Simply Rooted Woodshop five years ago and specializes in charcuterie boards, salad bowls, burls, pepper mills and hollow forms using reclaimed and salvaged wood from southern Ontario. Windekind also keeps busy completing custom work such as dinnerware and family heirloom nested bowls. He sets his work apart by creating forms that are aesthetically unique and pleasing, while also being useful and practical. His work has been featured on national television and can be found online and in shops and galleries throughout southern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces. Windekind’s work can also be viewed in-person by appointment. Custom work is welcomed.
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OUR GREEN HOME 2017 PAID FOR. FALL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
THE TIMELESS MATERIAL CO. Waterloo, ON • 519 883 8683 www.timelessmaterials.com • info@timelessmaterials.com The Timeless Material Co. is Ontario’s premier supplier of reclaimed wood and building components. Home to a wide range of locally sourced timbers, board stock, architectural salvage and much more, The Timeless Material Co. provides expert service at every stage of the design and build process for both commercial and residential projects. Our team of talented professionals, with our extensive and ever-changing stock of wood, can accommodate orders of any size and vision. With a special focus on reclaimed wood surface cladding and flooring, The Timeless Material Co. has established itself as the trusted resource for designers, builders and retail customers alike.
TIMBERWORKS Barrie, ON • 705 726 2638 www.timberworkswoodturning.com timberworks@rogers.com Twitter: Timberworks@TimberworksWood Arnold Veen has been exploring the world of woodturning for over 30 years and loving it! Working with wood allows him to connect with nature on a daily basis. Using only Ontario woods and burls, his specialty is creating award-winning live edge and traditional-style bowls. Each piece is unique, showing the extraordinary features of the tree from which it originated. His work is available through his website, through a selection of Ontario shows or by appointment at his home. You can also check his twitter feed to see work in progress.
Wood products, like furniture, store carbon for decades. Join the conversation and encourage your friends and family to learn more at ittakesaforest.ca
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 19
Become a member of Forests Ontario today to support tomorrow’s forests. Forests Ontario is pleased to offer new members 10 free tree seedlings next spring. Your trees will be available for pick-up from select nurseries across the province. Planting these trees on your property will help give all Ontarians the gift of a healthy natural environment and address the challenges of climate change.
Your Member Fee Includes: ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to Our Forest, Forests Ontario’s quarterly magazine. DISCOUNTS to select workshops and events, including Forests Ontario’s
Calling all tree lovers!
Annual Conference. VOTING RIGHTS at Forests Ontario’s Annual General Meeting. 10 FREE TREE SEEDLINGS that you can plant on your property! *New*
Join today! Visit forestsontario.ca or call 1.877.646.1193.
HOME GROWING!
Forget the 100-mile Diet. With the indoor gardening systems available today, your fresh produce can be just footsteps away.
There are abundant reasons for growing food indoors. Food doesn’t get any fresher than when you can harvest it as it ripens in your home. And because it’s so fresh, the taste is enhanced. Controlled conditions can be optimized so your plants will mature more quickly, allowing regular yields year-round! In addition to the satisfaction of growing your own food, you gain the comfort of knowing exactly where it’s coming from and that it’s fully pesticide-free. You’re also taking many steps out of the enormous carbon footprint of industrial agriculture. 20 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017
Living plants add life and visually enhance any living space, while improving indoor air quality. For children, indoor farming is a fun and educational experience. But for many, the most significant benefit of farming at home, is the simple pleasure of watching your garden grow and then enjoying the fruits, veggies and spices of your labour. Systems provided by Canadian innovators such as nutritower, Just Vertical and Higarden allow one to grow leafy greens, fresh herbs, a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, as well as flowers and air-purifying plants. Options includes lettuce, spinach, kale, tomatoes, peas, beans, strawberries, cucumbers, eggplant, Swiss chard, baby pumpkins and many more. What makes these systems practical are their relatively small footprints and the little effort and few inputs required to produce great results. Just Vertical and nutritower are vertical towers of irrigated containers suspended from columns. Just add plants and nutrients (which both companies can provide), fill the reservoir with water, then plug in. Higarden’s Vertical Indoor Gardening and Aquaculture (VIGA) system is a “functional self-contained indoor ecosystem” that incorporates a tank of live fish, whose waste provides a steady supply of nutrients for the plants. (But you do have to feed the fish!) Automated lighting and watering systems ensure the plants get everything they need to grow when you’re away from home. As the holiday season approaches, one could think of an indoor agricluture system as a Christmas tree that keeps on giving, all year long. n Learn more at: nutritower.com justvertical.com higarden.ca
ENERGY SAVING INCENTIVES AND REBATES
Saving energy makes a lot of sense and can save a lot of dollars. But if you need an additional incentive, that’s available too!
The GreenOn Installations Program is providing a no-cost smart thermostat and an in-home energy review to owners or renters living in singledetached, semi-detached, townhouse or row homes. (A smart thermostat uses sensors and Wi-Fi technology to maximize your home comfort and energy savings.) A program representative will come to your home, install a smart thermostat and show you how to use it. Your home’s energy-efficiency will also be assessed to create a customized home energy profile. This will help you understand your energy usage and costs, and suggest ways to save energy and money through other energy efficiency programs. You can register for the program at greenon.ca or by calling 1 888 728 8444. Don’t delay if you’re interested, as it’s approaching capacity. Financial incentives for saving energy are also available this fall through Enbridge, Hydro Ottawa, Toronto Hydro, and the IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator). Rebates are offered for upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace or a
DURABLE EXTERIOR MATERIALS
central air conditioner, ECM circulator pump, high-efficiency hydronic pump or air-source heat pump. Upgrading to an Energy Star refrigerator, freezer, dehumidifier or clothes washer also qualifies for a rebate. As much as $1,600 in incentives are available to homeowners in the GTA and Ottawa area who get a pre-retrofit energy audit and then complete two or more recommended upgrades such as an attic insulation upgrade, widow replacement, air sealing or basement wall insulation. (Many other upgrades are also eligible.) If a second energy audit shows you’ve achieved at least 15 per cent in energy savings, you qualify for the incentives. No matter which incentive program you take advantage of, it will reduce your home’s energy costs and its impact on climate change. Win, win, win! n
Get the details at: Enbridge: enbridgesmartsavings.com GreenOn Installations Program: greenon.ca Hydro Ottawa: hydroottawa.com IESO: ieso.ca Toronto Hydro: torontohydro.com
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RESILIENT CITIES? Houston, August 2017 - unprepared and under water
W
ith Toronto’s acceptance into the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities program in 2016, it is now one of 99 cities around the world working together to prepare for the challenges facing municipalities in the 21st century. Officer (CRO) Elliott Cappell says the foundation (which funds both the program and his position for two years) defines a resilient city as “one which can survive, adapt and thrive no matter what chronic stresses or acute shocks it may face.” Some of the chronic stresses confronting Toronto are a lack of affordable housing, aging infrastructure, road congestion and overtaxed transit systems. Recent and past shocks include SARS, ice storms, flash floods and the closure of Toronto Island because of rising lake levels. There is also the looming threat of climate change. Cappell will oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive Resilience Strategy for the city. Transportation, equity, a shrinking middle class and deteriorating low-income housing are just some of the challenges to be addressed. He says“The real opportunity we have being part of the 100 Resilient Cities network is that it gives us this two-year window to thoughtfully assess what we should invest in now in order to save or benefit later.” At the homeowner level, Cappell cites the example of our programs to protect against basement flooding and urges homeowners to take advantage of them as a way to increase household resiliency. While some subsidies are available, he advises “Do it before a flood. It may cost a few hundred dollars now, but it could prevent thousands of dollars in damages later.” The Rockefeller Foundation is providing resources, tools and technical assistance to the Chief Resilience Officers in all 100 cities. However,
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Cappell says,“Not to put anything down, but more valuable than the tools, more valuable than the technical assistance, has been the interaction with other CROs who are living it.” Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary have also been accepted into the Resilient Cities program and Cappell says, “It’s been great working with the other Canadian CROs, learning together as we go.” To better understand the opportunities and challenges facing Toronto, the city conducted an online Resilience Perception Survey in September asking residents “How can Toronto be more resilient?” Cappell says one of the results that stands out is how many people feel Toronto’s cultural diversity is one of city’s greatest assets. “One reason why diversity is our strength for resilience is because diversity inherently means that you have many different things, options or choices,” observes Cappell. “Efficiency is the enemy of resilience,” Cappell says, citing an example. If you have just one transport mode and it’s not available or practical on a particular day, that’s not resilient. If you have the options of walking, cycling, public transit, taxis or a private vehicle, that’s resilient. n
This sister company of Google will apply state-of-the-art information technology to develop Quayside on Toronto’s waterfront. Chief Executive Dan Doctoroff says it will be “a bustling new mixed-use neighbourhood with cutting-edge technology…where innovation will be used to address the world’s biggest urban challenges.” The project will include explorations of new approaches to weather mitigation, self-driving taxis and buses, new materials and modular buildings. Could this development produce a resilient city model for the world?
BASF Walltite Foam Climatizer Cellulose Insulation
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22 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 AI-OGHfa17-TP.indd 1
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PROTECTING WHAT SUSTAINS US…
THE GREENBELT GROWS
S
panning almost two million acres, Ontario’s Greenbelt protects our nature, farmland and recreational spaces across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. This year it grew to include 21 urban river valleys across the region. The Greenbelt’s water sources are the region’s lifeblood, delivering clean water and connecting our cities and towns to the farms that feed us and the forests that clean our air. By safeguarding our vulnerable and vital water assets, the Greenbelt is helping us manage the impacts of climate change. With these urban waterways now protected all the way from their sources to Lake Ontario, we’re assured that our region’s integrated natural systems can continue providing clean water, fresh air, abundant food, health benefits, nature, recreation and prosperity. The Greenbelt can give us a natural, integrated framework for thinking about the long-term health of our region. As we pursue a more sustainable future, we must balance the needs of growth with the need to protect what sustains us. This broad perspective will help us find that balance. The Greenbelt is one cornerstone of the province’s larger strategy to ensure sustainable growth in this fast-growing, densely-populated region. Along with Ontario’s Growth Plan, we have the foundation for mixed-use development
that serves healthy and prosperous communities with housing that has an appropriate, environmental footprint. Together they will guide long-term planning for land-use and infrastructure - such as stormwater management - on a regional basis. The largest of its kind and a world-class model for protection, the Greenbelt is making major contributions to Ontario’s productivity and prosperity while helping ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone living in the Greater Golden Horseshoe - now and in the future. n
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Clear Air
Support Our Mission
Help us build a sustainable and healthier future. Sign up for the Greenbelt newsletter today and learn about all the Greenbelt offers...hiking trails, cycling routes, farmers’ markets and green spaces: www.greenbelt.ca Access our report “Green Infrastructure Guide for Small Cities, Towns and Rural Communities”: www.greenbelt.ca/report_green_infrastructure
Photo by Shari Chambers OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017 . 23
TWO MODES ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Get the best of both worlds in the Fusion Energi Plug-In Hybrid with a driving range of 35 km for short commutes or 982 km in hybrid + electric mode for longer trips.
2017 Fusion Energi Titanium model shown. The estimated electric driving range/combined electric and gasoline driving range of the 2017 Fusion Energi with 2.0L Atkinson-Cycle I-4 Engine CVT Transmission is 35 km/982 km (53-litre fuel tank), based on Government of Canada range calculation guidance. Actual range varies with conditions such as external elements, driving behaviours, vehicle maintenance and lithium-ion battery age. Š2017 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.
24 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2017