Municipalities like Montreal and Prévost, which have already passed by-laws to reduce (Quebec) natural gas use, can continue to do so, but mayors who want to follow in their footsteps will need to get a favorable opinion first. From Pierre Fitzgibbon and the Ministry of Energy.
This vested rights clause (colloquially known as the “grandfather clause”) was added in an amendment tabled by Minister Benoit Charette last week as part of the bill's study on the environmental performance of buildings (see capsules).
In January, the minister suggested submitting a draft regulation that would prevent cities from going it alone to ban natural gas connections, citing Quebec's lack of “expertise to determine the impact of their decision on energy security.”
Read the article “Cities can no longer ban natural gas without Quebec deal.”
Montreal is the target, which passed a regulation that “bans heating appliances that emit GHGs that run on fuels such as oil or gas in new construction in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors.”
Mr. Charette softens his position a little with this clause, but does not want the clauses to multiply. His fear: Many cities will each take on ideas that “may sound good” in an “isolated” way, but together they will have an “impact” on Quebec's energy security.
The minister said he would introduce regulations himself in the coming weeks to ban new gas connections to certain types of buildings. But in other cases, he favors dual-energy heating systems, where natural gas can be tapped to heat the building during winter peaks.
After passing this provision, cities can request permission to “go even further.”
Photo by Robert Skinner, Law Press Archives
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, Combating Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks
Consultation with Ministry of Energy will be required. This is not an actual number. […] Hydro-Québec explains it well: At times, this is not an exact number, but Hydro-Québec's facilities cannot be developed to meet this request. [électrique].
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, Combating Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks
On its part, the energy ministry confirms that it is “premature” to share the criteria it bases its opinion on as the bill is “not yet approved”.
Fitzgibbon mediation
For Quebec Solidaire MP Alejandra Zaga Mendez, it's not an ideal situation.
Pierre Fitzgibbon examines whether we have the energy available to electrify the heating of buildings. But saving energy for a big company is a political choice rather than electrifying neighborhoods in Laval or Longueuil.
Alejandra Zaga Mendez, Québec Solidaire Member of Parliament
Mme Zaga Mendez sees the addition of the grandfather clause as “half the battle.” “If we implement dual power in 2024, this system will be fine for another 20-25 years. But carbon neutrality by 2050 is our goal,” she lamented.
She was also pleased that Mr. Charette had reduced the “priority” clause proposed in the bill for the energy sector. “For everything that doesn't affect energy, for example, standards for green roofs, for window insulation, cities can go further,” she said.
The Bill on Environmental Performance of Buildings will be passed. Quebec says it will give tools to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the buildings sector by establishing reporting, rating and environmental performance standards for large buildings.
Tight schedule, energy ratings
Quebec wants to reduce its GHG emissions by 60% by 2030 in the institutional buildings sector to achieve its climate goals. But time is running out: after passing the bill, Minister Benoît Charette must submit several provisions to make it effective, and the timetable is tight.
- 2025: Building owners must declare their energy use.
- 2026: They will receive a power rating.
- 2028: An environmental performance standard will be created and institutional buildings will have to conform to it.
- For other buildings (very large, large and medium in terms of surface area), the performance standards will be implemented in 2029, 2030 and 2031.
No residence
Photo by Hugo-Sebastian Aubert, La Presse Archives
Natural gas powered oven
Quebec Solidaire is investigating the fact that the residential sector is not included in the Quebec government's energy performance rating system. “We would like to see a very strict plan that includes residential housing with transitional measures,” said Alejandra Zaga Mendez. Minister Charette replied that moving too quickly would exacerbate the housing crisis by forcing the residential sector to improve its energy balance. However, it may be added in the future by a simple regulation.
Additions to the Building Code
Photo by Marco Campanozzi, Law Press Archives
Minister Benoit Charette is expected to adopt a rule requiring manufacturers to install wiring to recharge electric cars in buildings with more than five new housing units.
With his legislation, Minister Charette could make additions to Quebec's building code to make buildings greener. He recalled that the buildings sector is responsible for 9.6% of all GHG emissions in Quebec according to 2020 data and that his government wants to reduce GHG emissions associated with heating buildings by 50% in 2030 compared to 1990. The minister's offer, however, has nothing to do with the insulation of buildings: he intends to adopt a rule forcing builders to install wiring for recharging electric cars in buildings with more than five new homes. Quebec will also give 108 million in subsidies “to help install wiring in existing buildings.”
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