Join Gaëtane Carignan, of Community Energy Association to learn about key elements of successful energy retrofit programs that have been achieved in First Nations communities in British Columbia with presenters Richard Hall, independent First Nations Housing Consultant, and Karim Abraham, CEO- Community Power.

Presenters will address assessing, planning and executing a right path for deep energy retrofits, at scale, in community. Facilitated discussion will follow.

Deep energy retrofits involve changes to the entire building, including insulation, windows and doors, air barriers, as well as ventilation and space and water heating equipment. An average retrofit can save 10% to 20% of energy while a deep energy retrofit can save 50% to 60%. When approached systematically and thoughtfully, deep energy retrofitting existing homes increases their durability, makes them more comfortable, and reduces the cost of heating and cooling.

Pending 2 CPD points from BC Housing, this event is one of several Building A Legacy North activities, enabled through a collaboration of Community Energy Association and CHBA Northern BC with funding support from BC Hydro and Fortis BC. The delivery of this webinar has been inspired by the large-scale, multi-year, energy retrofit aspirations of Nisga’a Nation, and will offer a sneak peak as to what’s to come during an exciting, multi-day, in-person Northwest Energy Retrofit Forum, June 3-5: www.communityenergy.ca/events

About the Presenters:

RICHARD HALL — International Read Seal carpenter, NISI qualified building inspector, independent First Nations Housing Consultant

After 38 years of experience as a Red Seal carpenter, home builder, construction foreman, qualified building inspector, site supervisor, and project manager, Richard now serves as a special advisor for First Nation communities in constructing energy-efficient, culturally appropriate, affordable homes. Over his career he has inspected 5-6000 homes in BC and captured the challenges within communities by placing pen to paper to help find solutions that would benefit all Canadians. He is the principal designer of the “Wet West Coast Building Standard”. With this booklet he created a new building standard for First Nations, with simple, affordable concepts and solutions that complimented their lifestyle, the weathering elements, Step Code and overall durable and appropriate building materials for the designs. He has also retired from his role as the Asset Manager for Nuxalk Nation; in this role, he led efforts to build capacity within the community and utilized what resources he had to rebuild a Nation.

KARIM ABRAHAM — CEO, Community Power

Karim is the CEO and co-founder of Kambo Energy Group, driving growth for the social enterprise that improves housing and reduces energy poverty in communities often missed in the design and delivery of traditional energy efficiency and housing programming – most notably Indigenous Nations, newcomers to Canada, and people of colour. Community Power is a distinct division within Kambo Energy Group that focuses on improving homes and reducing energy bills in remote Indigenous communities through holistic energy and housing solutions. Working with over 60 Nations since 2009, Community Power is recognized as a leader in Indigenous energy and housing projects in Canada.