An Environmental First for the Quebec and Canadian Retirement Home Industry: Jazz Brossard earns ZCB

An Environmental First for the Quebec and Canadian Retirement Home Industry: Jazz Brossard earns ZCB — Performance Certification!

20 September 2024

On August 16, Jazz Brossard, a Cogir residence, earned the Canada Green Building Council’s prestigious Zero Carbon — Performance (ZCB) certification. This annual certification follows a review of residence’s submission which included practical measures aimed at reducing energy consumption and ultimately reaching zero-carbon status.

This action is consistent with Cogir’s constant wish to improve energy efficiency in the buildings it oversees, thereby contributing to responsible property management within a framework where carbon neutrality is an ever-increasing objective in the building and construction sector. “At Cogir, we want to be the pioneers. We enjoy implementing innovative initiatives so that we can excel and endeavour to propel our industry ever further. As we are facing an ever-increasing number of undeniable climate change events, we must implement a program aimed at reducing carbon emissions as much as possible. We are already working to obtain this certification for other Cogir residences,” states Mathieu Duguay, Cogir Real Estate’s chief executive officer and chief investment officer.

When speaking of energy efficiency, it means a more responsible use of energy. Reduced and better consumption! It is true that electrical power in the province of Quebec is cleaner than in some other regions, given our reliance on hydroelectricity. Nevertheless, natural gas is still being used and although it emits fewer greenhouse gases (GHG) than other fossil energies, those GHGs are still released in the atmosphere, adding to global warming. In a context where, according to experts, buildings represent 10% of GHG emissions in the province of Quebec and require 25% of total energy consumption during winter peaks, the time has come to implement measures that will allow us to better manage our energy resources. That is why Cogir is proceeding with this project within its field.

More concretely, collected energy consumption data has allowed our auditing partner to create a profile for the building and to issue his recommendations, helping us reduce our consumption. These measures have served as a base on which to create a plan of transition toward zero carbon status. This plan will allow us to reduce the building’s energy consumption while improving its efficiency in this regard.

Cogir Real Estate also manages several properties that have obtained BOMA BEST certification while others are certified WELL and LEED. The Zero Carbon — Performance initiative will be applied to other Cogir residences over the coming months and the coming years.

About Cogir Real Estate

Incorporated in 1995, Cogir Real Estate employs close to 16,000 people who are passionate about real estate. With our constant desire to give purpose to real estate, we strive to maintain a human focus, to create and to excel in our quest to design living environments that are pleasant, functional and a reflection of their occupants. Our team manages over 420 properties throughout Canada and the United States. We oversee 6 million square feet of commercial property and 60,000 housing units, including more than 220 privately owned seniors’ residences. The Cogir Foundation supports projects and causes involving four major domains, namely youth, seniors, cultural diversity and the environment.