The city has been urged to step up efforts to reduce emissions through B.C.'s Zero Carbon Step Code.
At its May 26 meeting, council received a letter from Shuswap Climate Action society chair Julia Beatty regarding the step code and how other B.C. communities have transitioned to more advanced levels.
Beatty referred to a March 2025 story on BC Hydro's website, which states "across B.C., nearly three dozen local governments have now accelerated the adoption of the Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC), representing approximately 45% of B.C.'s total population. Most of these local governments that have accelerated the ZCSC are requiring at least Level 3."
Beatty's letter was in response to a report on changes to the B.C. building code, provided at the April 22 council meeting by planning and community services director Gary Buxton.
In his report, Buxton referenced ZCSC, of which the first stage, EL-1, came into effect on March 10, 2025.
Introduced in May 2023, the ZCSC aims to reduce operational carbon emissions from a building by requiring lower emissions from space and water heating systems. The ZCSC complements the province's Energy Step Code, which Buxton explained "focuses on the building envelope and "minimizing the overall energy that’s needed to make that building perform."
Buxton said EL-1 involves measurement and reporting only. The next level, EL-2 involves transitioning space heating from gas to electric, "usually through the use of electric heat pumps to replace (or supplement) furnaces." EL-3 involves replacement of space heating and of domestic hot water systems with electrical options. EL-4 moves to full electrification of space and water heating and cooking facilities.
"At this point in time we haven't seen anyone move beyond EL-1," said Buxton, noting the further levels may increase construction costs.
"We’re not seeing any significant data suggesting a huge cost – of course you’re replacing mechanical systems with other mechanical systems that aren’t relatively new to the industry," Buxton noted.
Beatty said concerns over construction cost increases may not be supported, noting there "are several sources that have demonstrated buildings meeting EL-3 and EL-4 don't have a significant construction cost increase and save the homeowner money on energy bills."
Beatty referenced the story of a Cranbrook-based home builder of 30 years who, in 2022 constructed, his net zero home – a home that "produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis using an on-site renewable energy system." She urged the city to consider adoption of EL-4, "to address climate change, human health, and affordability for homeowners."
While council didn't go that far, there was interest in getting a conversation started in the community about advancing to the next steps.
"We have retrofitted our mid-60s house to a point where now it’s about 15 per cent more energy efficient than a typical house built today to new building standards, and on top of that, by adding solar, we’re about 35 per cent less of the emissions of a typical build today," commented Coun. Tim Lavery. "In terms of zero carbon step code… our house is an EL2 stage and we’re verging on getting ot the EL4 mark once we replace the gas heater and cooktop.
"I bring this up not to be performative in any way, but ot validate the fact that one, it can be done, and two, it’s far better and far cheaper to do this at the time of construction."
Lavery suggested consulting with the construction industry about advancing to the next steps of the ZCSC, and that the initiative be part of the city's upcoming climate strategy plan.
Coun. Kevin Flynn voiced his support, noting he's "talked to builders who are extremely concerned" about the step code and costs.
"We talk about affordable housing and I am not in favour of regulations that increase the cost of housing, but I don’t know enough about this issue… and I like what Coun. Lavery said, that we’ve had issues like this in the past where the community has gotten together and come to some consensus as to what the steps should be," said Flynn.
Council voted to forward Beatty's letter to the city's Environmental Advisory Committee and to SCIP (Shuswap Construction Industry Professionals).
