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$103K in energy cost savings forecast every year

Energy savings

Over 1 million equivalent kilowatt hours in energy savings forecast every year

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18 energy retrofit projects since 2015

Background and context

Canadian municipalities are always looking for new ways to save money while meeting their sustainability goals. The Town of Caledon, Ontario, is no different. In 2015, it instituted a Corporate Energy Revolving (CER) Fund to finance energy upgrades around the town, using an initial seed investment of $147K derived from solar installation revenue and repurposing unused funds from another energy-related project.

Since then, the fund has sustained itself using revenue from three town-owned solar sites, energy incentives and a portion of the energy cost savings from previous CER Fund projects. As new initiatives are funded and launched, the self-sustaining (or “revolving”) cycle continues, independent of the annual municipal budget process and without relying on municipal taxpayer dollars.  

The CER Fund is Caledon’s innovative and scalable solution to implementing energy efficiency measures without incurring significant upfront costs.  

Process: Selecting projects

Caledon’s Corporate Energy Team, made up of corporate and community facilities staff, manages the fund. The team meets quarterly to discuss energy performance in the town’s facilities, identify opportunities to conserve energy and develop business cases to determine if potential projects fit the fund’s selection criteria, namely that the project:  

  • falls within the fund’s budget
  • reduces energy use and greenhouse gas emissions  
  • has a simple payback of 10 years or less
  • forecasts savings or incentives that can be returned to the fund after implementation  

These projects are then recommended to council.

Results

Funded projects generally tend to focus on energy reduction initiatives or pilots for new technologies, which are seen as ways to take immediate action on energy conservation and decarbonization. Since the fund’s inception, projects have included converting fluorescent lighting to LEDs, installing pool drain water heat recovery, upgrading controls for ice rinks and piloting cold-water ice-resurfacing technology in arenas.  

Caledon has recently started to explore opportunities for rapid decarbonization and investment in larger projects, such as switching from traditional gas-fired equipment to electric or heat pumps. For these more capital-intensive projects, the town may consider cost-sharing with the Facilities capital budget or using the CER Fund to cover incremental capital costs of moving to a lower-carbon technology. To that end, the fund’s selection criteria will be updated to focus on projects that reduce emissions.

Keys to success

  • Having an active corporate energy program and targeted efforts by the Corporate Energy Team to embed strategic energy management throughout town operations.  
  • Using a detailed analysis of data from funded projects to evaluate success, quantify energy savings and highlight performance improvements.
  • Giving out recognition awards to acknowledge the efforts of facility staff to implement energy conservation projects.
  • Showcasing successful projects to spur the identification of new projects that in turn continue to grow the fund.
caledon centre

Featured resources

Community Buildings Retrofit initiative

Higher performance is within reach—access funding and resources for community building upgrades

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Guide: Taking your indoor swimming pool to net zero

Key measures and lessons learned to help you build a net-zero plan

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E-learning courses: Tackling energy use in your municipal and community buildings

Learn how to improve the energy performance of buildings in your municipality

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Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.

Visit the projects database

The construction sector generates over 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In Quebec, it produces more than 3.3 million tonnes of CRD waste each year, of which only 25% are actually recycled. Transitioning to a circular economy requires rethinking production and consumption models while optimizing existing resources to address climate and resource challenges. 

To tackle these issues, the Centre d’études et de recherches intersectorielles en économie circulaire (CERIEC) develops innovative circular strategies to reduce waste and improve sustainability in the construction sector. CERIEC launched the Lab Construction, a three-year research and innovation initiative (2021–2024), delivering 19 projects through co-creation and field experimentation. These projects provide practical tools, share knowledge and create real-world solutions that enhance Quebec’s construction landscape. 

This factsheet page offers resources to help municipalities, industry professionals and policymakers adopt circular construction practices. These insights highlight the environmental, economic and social benefits of circularity, including waste reduction, lower greenhouse gas emissions and optimized resource use. If you want to integrate sustainable practices into your construction projects, our resources will equip you with the knowledge and tools to take action. 

Deconstruction for reuse: Municipalities in the Gaspésie region lead by example

Municipalities have a unique opportunity to reduce construction, renovation and demolition waste, which significantly contributes to landfill overflow and greenhouse gas emissions. By embracing strategic deconstruction initiatives such as salvaging wood, metal and concrete, communities can recover valuable materials with cost-effective solutions and advance sustainability goals.

A pilot project in two Gaspésie communities—Grande-Rivière and Chandler in eastern Quebec—showcases how municipalities can successfully apply circular economy principles to end-of-life buildings. By prioritizing material reuse, these communities have cut waste, generated revenue and inspired broader adoption of deconstruction practices.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has also contributed to the project, reinforcing its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development in Canadian communities.

Why choose deconstruction?

  • Reduce landfill waste and extend material lifespan
  • Cut emissions by minimizing transportation and new material production
  • Save money through material resale and reduced disposal fees
  • Boost local economies by creating jobs in sustainable construction

The factsheet above offers municipalities step-by-step strategies to integrate deconstruction into their building projects. Learn how to plan material recovery, train contractors and implement policies that support long-term sustainability.

Download the factsheet and start transforming waste into opportunity.

 

Municipal powers and circularity: Tapping unused potential

Municipalities play a key role in driving circularity within the construction, renovation and demolition sector by reducing waste and conserving resources while strengthening community resilience. For example, they can use regulatory tools to promote material reuse, waste diversion and sustainable building practices to ensure a more efficient and eco-friendly development process.

This factsheet helps Canadian municipalities harness their policy levers to advance circular economy practices. It highlights the benefits of these powers, outlines actionable steps for immediate implementation, and showcases real-world examples of successful initiatives. By adopting these strategies, municipalities can cut landfill waste and build a sustainable future.

Read the factsheet.

Goal: To extend the life of buildings

Canadian municipalities are rethinking urban development by prioritizing adaptive reuse over demolition. For example, authorities in Trois-Rivières, Quebec issued renovation permits for minor work in 82% of their projects—demonstrating that communities already invest in reuse. However, outdated policies, financial constraints and misconceptions often push demolition to the forefront.

Reusing and repurposing existing buildings preserves heritage and drives sustainable development. Municipalities reduce construction waste, lower emissions and strengthen community resilience by choosing adaptive reuse. Research from Entremise and Université Laval shows that updating policies, streamlining permit processes and offering financial incentives can make reuse the default option.

This factsheet equips municipalities with practical strategies to:  

  • Recognize the economic, environmental and cultural benefits of adaptive reuse  
  • Identify barriers and misconceptions about reuse and financial feasibility  
  • Implement successful municipal policies that support reuse  Engage communities in redevelopment projects  
  • Assess the economic and environmental impacts of demolition versus reuse  

Municipalities can cut costs, reduce waste and breathe new life into communities by making reuse the norm.  

Read the factsheet. 


Making new asphalt out of old—It can be done

Discover how Canadian municipalities can transform existing roads into sustainable infrastructure with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). By repurposing old asphalt, municipalities can reduce waste and emissions, cut costs, rely less on newly extracted materials, and advance circular infrastructure goals.

This factsheet highlights key lessons from a pilot project in Saint-Hippolyte, Quebec, and provides practical steps for integrating RAP into municipal roadwork projects. Whether you’re a municipal engineer, policymaker or sustainability advocate, this resource can help empower you to take action.

Read the factsheet and help drive circular economy solutions.

Imagining circularity at the neighbourhood level

What if yesterday’s factories and forgotten lots could become the foundation of tomorrow’s most sustainable communities?

Across Canada, post-industrial lands sit idle—contaminated, underused and disconnected. But these places hold extraordinary potential. With the right vision and strategy, municipalities can breathe new life into these sites, turning them into neighbourhoods that are climate-resilient, economically vibrant and socially inclusive.

In Montréal’s southwest boroughs, a team of designers, engineers and researchers collaborated to reimagine underused areas. They prioritized the reuse of existing structures, integrated green infrastructure and created pathways for community involvement offering a scalable model for municipalities across Canada.

Why embrace circular neighbourhood planning?

  • Reuse before you rebuild: Save money and reduce carbon by adapting existing structures
  • Design with intention: Use life cycle analysis (LCA) to guide low-impact development
  • Build climate-ready communities: Integrate green infrastructure and clean energy solutions
  • Engage communities in the process: Use collaborative approaches that prioritize local voices
  • Lead with policy: Activate policy levers that empower municipalities to drive circular change

The factsheet highlights a real-world pilot in LaSalle, Ville Saint-Pierre, and Lachine-Est that explores how to move from theory to action, from neglected to reimagined. Whether you’re leading planning efforts, shaping policy, or looking for inspiration, this is your blueprint for action.

Read the factsheet and start reimagining your municipality's future.

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Featured resources

Guide: Taking your indoor ice rink to net zero

Learn how to develop an actionable roadmap to net zero ice rinks

Read more

Guide: Taking your indoor swimming pool to net zero

Key measures and lessons learned to help you build a net-zero plan

Read more

Guides: Equity and non-energy benefits of community building retrofits

Explore how retrofits can build more equitable and resilient municipalities.

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Are you looking to connect with municipal leaders, experts and coaches across Canada to exchange ideas and solutions for successful urban forestry projects? The Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) Community of Practice (CoP) is a collaborative network for municipal staff and their partners involved in urban forestry projects across Canada. The GCCC CoP provides a platform where participants can connect, share knowledge and learn from each other’s experience.  

Why join a Community of Practice?

By joining the Community of Practice, you will:  

  • Access training sessions, workshops and learning opportunities tailored to urban forestry and climate action.
  • Collaborate with municipal staff and their partners across Canada to expand your tree canopies while ensuring long-term tree survivability.
  • Connect with other municipal staff and partners who are leading urban forestry projects in their communities.
  • Collaborate with peers to exchange ideas, share best practices and address common challenges.
  • Utilize tools, guides and case studies to enhance the impact of your projects. 

How does our Community of Practice work? 
As a member, you will gain access to free resources and tools tailored to support your urban forestry initiative, along with the opportunity to connect with peers and mentors across Canada. Every two months, participants join virtual interactive workshops, expert-led sessions and peer discussions that tackle real-world urban forestry challenges. Meetings are held in both French and English, ensuring you can participate in the language you are most comfortable with.   

Who can join?  
The GCCC Community of Practice is reserved for GCCC funding recipients only, including municipal staff and their partners involved in urban forestry and climate action initiatives. Participants will benefit from shared experiences and collaborative opportunities to advance their projects and create meaningful impact.

What makes our community unique? 
The GCCC Community of Practice is designed for municipally-led urban forestry projects, inspiring local climate action and promoting equitable access to trees across communities. Our community helps build capacity to expand municipal tree canopies and invest in nature-based solutions to build resilience. By fostering a national network of municipal staff and their partners, the GCCC Community of Practice drives quality green job creation, promote tree species diversity and equity, ensure long-term tree survivability and supports the development of resilient, sustainable communities.

How to apply  
Complete the application form to sign up for the GCCC Community of Practice.  

Questions:  
For questions about our Community of Practice, please contact: Stephane Pressault.

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