Start your day with coffee, snacks and networking before the event begins.

A moment of reflection and respect for the land where we gather.

Our Chairs will kick off the event with key insights and an overview of the current policy and regulatory landscape, setting the stage for 2 days of discussions – where we are, and what is working

Building on the retrofit mission set at last year’s event, this session spotlights the momentum achieved so far and charts the actionable next steps required to propel the sector through this pivotal moment.

An essential session examining where Canada's retrofit sector is at this critical turning point, exploring the progress towards our shared Retrofit Mission and outlining what needs to happen next.

A brief overview of current federal direction on housing and retrofit policy, and what these priorities mean for Atlantic Canada

Demand response is still in its pilot phase across Atlantic Canada — but momentum is building fast. Utility and program leaders share early lessons shaping the next generation of DR programs, including how DERs like smart thermostats, hot water tank controls, and EV managed charging are performing in first-wave pilots.

Visit our HVAC Learning Zone – running all day 9-4 pm.

More information can be found HERE

1. Ecology Action Centre Tour:

Enjoy a walkthrough of the Ecology Action Centre, highlighting the deep retrofit of the historic building and the sustainability strategies incorporated into the project, which is now approaching the 10-year anniversary of its renovation. 
Chris Benjamin, EAC

2. Habit Studio’s Falkland Street Deep Retrofit

Join us for a guided tour of Habit Studio’s Falkland Street Deep Retrofit, an 1850s Halifax building upgraded as a real-world demonstration of what deep retrofits can deliver (and what they demand) in a heritage context.
About the Tour: The project targeted EnerPHit principles and has achieved ~88% reduction in heating energy, ~86% reduction in total energy, and ~90% reduction in operational GHGs, even while the airtightness outcome remains a candid “in progress” story (currently 85% of the way to meeting a 1 ACH target, with a final test pending).  The tour will highlight the construction experience, including scope surprises, inflation and trades challenges, and discuss practical lessons learned. Discussion will highlight a data-informed decision-making process using Passive House modelling, a Total Cost of Building Ownership (TCBO) analysis and embodied carbon modeling using the BEAM Calculator. 
Lorrie Rand, Recover Initiative

1. Reinventing Financing Strategies Work - Removing Barriers to Commercial Decarbonization
This roundtable explores how strategic financing approaches can help organizations overcome implementation barriers and make commercial decarbonization a financially viable path forward.
Stuart Galloway, SOFIAC

2. Whole-Building Retrofit Strategies
Deep energy retrofits increasingly prioritize improvements to the building envelope before upgrading heating and mechanical systems. this session will examine the integrated strategies required to deliver whole-building performance improvements in existing residential and multi-unit buildings.
Ariana Arguello, FortisBC

3. Incentives at the Distributor Level: Engaging SMBs Through Food Service Midstream Programs
CLEAResult Canada’s Food Service Midstream programs drive adoption of high-efficiency commercial kitchen equipment by embedding incentives at the distributor level. This market-driven model reaches hard-to-serve SMBs; about 90% of participating kitchens since 2019; while reducing administrative burden and boosting cost-effectiveness.
Jamie Hutchinson, CLEAResult Canada  

4. Climate Communications for Municipal Leaders
This roundtable introduces a new climate communications toolkit, offering practical strategies to help municipalities counter misinformation, build public trust, and strengthen support for local retrofit and climate initiatives. Based on lessons learnt and best practices currently employed across Canada.
Robin Goldstien, FCM

5. How to Expand Commercial PACE (Property Accessed Clean Energy) 
This roundtable explores developing a strategic plan to attract new private capital into commercial retrofits and
accelerating investment across the sector.

6. Managed Transition vs Unmanaged Transition on Natural Gas
This discussion examines the risks and opportunities tied to natural gas transitions, exploring how proactive, managed approaches can support communities, minimize disruption, and guide a more orderly shift toward low‑carbon energy systems.
Matt Piorrier, The Transition Accelerator

7. Communicating Climate Action That Reaches People: Centering Equity, Trust, and Lived Experience in Retrofit Storytelling
In 2026, engaging the public on climate change looks different - learn how sustainability leaders can engage the public through effective storytelling and outreach on retrofit and energy initiatives. 
Wanjiru, Urban Climate Leadership

8. Indigenous Community Capacity Building in Retrofit Projects
- Collaboratively developing retrofit projects with Indigenous communities in both urban and rural contexts.
- How to leverage industry partnerships to expand community capacity and technical support.
- Enhancing the feasibility and accessibility of retrofit initiatives for not-for-profit organizations.
- Integrating community cultural aspects and applying a Two-Eyed Seeing approach to the planning and implementation     of retrofit projects.
Alexandra Kodyra, SAIT Green Building Technology Access Centre

9. Resilience in Vunerable Communities - Benefits Beyond Energy Savings
Explore the Reframed Initiative’s retrofits of six multi-unit residential buildings—delivering affordable climate/seismic resilience, social equity, health improvements, and low-carbon innovations for vulnerable communities.
Taushifa Shaikh, Pembina

10. Tech Advancements in the Sector: High-speed decarbonization tools, AI, and archetyping for cost-effective portfolio prioritization for retrofits
- Discussion and comparison of high-speed decarbonization assessment tools and strategies including artificial     
   intelligence's role and the benefits, drawbacks and use cases for each.
- How do these strategies compare to on-site energy audits and what is the sweet spot for how we leverage these high-
  speed analysis tools for cost compression in deep energy retrofits?
- Exploring specific learning from case studies of building owners utilizing these tools for portfolio prioritization and
   decarbonization planning in Alberta.
Garrett Clark, Ecotrust Canada

11. Calibrated Digital Twins - Finding the Balance Between Accuracy and Speed for Retrofit Decision-Making
Andres Toro

Visit our HVAC Learning Zone

Visit our HVAC Learning Zone

Explore strategies and innovations for completing large-scale commercial building retrofits.

Dive deep into the practicalities and challenges of scaling residential retrofits.

Retrofits are moving from optional to expected. Teams are being asked to cut emissions, plan capital upgrades earlier, and keep buildings operating with minimal disruption. The challenge is choosing the right retrofit package in advance, so budgets, scopes, and timelines are proactive rather than reactive. This session shows a practical way to compare retrofit options quickly and make decisions with confidence. We will test envelope upgrades, electrification pathways, heat recovery, and controls through rapid scenario analysis so the impacts on operational carbon, energy use, peak demand, and capital cost are visible side by side.

Drawing on experience from successful projects in the multi-unit, residential, and commercial sectors, panelists will share new incentive ideas, practical strategies and financial tools to move projects from too expensive to affordable .The discussion will focus on how traditional financing options do not address affordability in some of Canada's most vulnerable areas, and how incentive programs can bridge the gap. 

• An overview of the evolving retrofit landscape in Alberta, drawing on key learnings and data from the past two years of NRCan's DRAI Retrofit Accelerator program.
• Perspective on the future of retrofits, including what does "market readiness" looks like for Alberta, what building owners can do to prepare, and our plans to maintain momentum until then.

Strata Energy Advisor programs are emerging as a practical tool to help strata corporations plan and implement building retrofits. These programs provide technical guidance, support decision making among owners, and help navigate incentives and retrofit pathways for multi unit residential buildings. This session will examine why the Strata Energy Advisor is successful and the policy and regulatory considerations for expanding similar models across the sector.

This Lightning Round highlights practical engineering approaches and streamlined design strategies that help unlock faster, more reliable, and scalable retrofit outcomes across building types.

Moving beyond consultation, this session applies concrete insights on how you can apply co-creation and Human Centered Design methodology to reshape retrofit programs at their core — from eligibility criteria and communications to delivery models and timelines — leading to higher participation and fewer downstream barriers. Using public engagement principles and real-world examples, it highlights how working with communities as partners improves outcomes and saves time and resources.

1. Communications Strategies That Strengthen Engagement and Accelerate Retrofit Action
   This session explores practical communication strategies that build public engagement, strengthen trust, and accelerate action on retrofit initiatives.
   Speaker: Johnny Santilly, Entuitive

2. Smart Pumping Solutions for High‑Performance Retrofits
   Hishaam Jambocus highlights how advanced hydronic and pump optimization technologies can improve efficiency, reliability, and decarbonization outcomes in modern retrofit projects.
   Speaker: Hishaam Jambocus, Grundfos

3. Engineering Pathways to More Effective Retrofit Delivery
   This Lightning Round highlights practical engineering approaches and streamlined design strategies that help unlock faster, more reliable, and scalable retrofit outcomes across building types.
   Speaker: Duncan Rowe, RJC

In this panel we will discuss electrification in commercial buildings. A critical and under-prepared step in Net-Zero Retrofits. This panel will give practical tips and insights to streamline building electrification. 

This session will explore the evolving landscape of residential retrofits across Canada, highlighting the opportunities, challenges, and emerging approaches shaping the sector. Panelists will discuss how stakeholders—from technology providers and financial institutions to community partners and homeowners—are navigating the shift toward more efficient, resilient, and lower‑carbon homes.

Panel hosted by Scotiabank and Climative

Start your day with coffee and networking before the event begins.

As we move from mission to momentum, we recognize all we’ve accomplished together and continue building on that foundation to accelerate meaningful, scalable retrofit action.

Retrofitting buildings is ultimately as much a social transformation as a technical one. This session explores the human dimensions behind every successful retrofit—from the lived experiences of occupants to the values, motivations, and concerns that shape how communities adopt change.

Projects that achieve measurable energy performance, cost savings, and long-term value are characterized by intentional leadership alignment, particularly within multi-generational and diverse workforces.

This session covers how retrofitting buildings to withstand climate impacts can reduce insurance risks, lower premiums, and enhance long-term resilience, while aligning with financial and regulatory frameworks. A practical session exploring where communities should begin when responding to rising flood and coastal risks, outlining clear processes for resilience planning, the intersections with energy and efficiency upgrades, and how these factors ultimately impact long‑term property value.

Retrofitting existing buildings can provide a faster and more cost-effective pathway to expanding affordable and supportive housing. Converting aging or underutilized structures requires addressing structural limitations, building performance, and operational requirements while maintaining safety and long-term durability. This session will examine retrofit strategies used to transform existing buildings into housing through structural upgrades and building performance improvements, highlighting practical lessons and considerations for similar projects.

Visit the Innovation Learning Zone to hear short pitches from start-ups and innovators showcasing new ideas, technologies, and approaches shaping the future of building retrofit and energy efficiency.

Scotiabank Centre Walking Tour
A guided walking tour of the Scotiabank Centre retrofit, led by the Manager of Building Renewal, highlighting key upgrades and approaches used to improve the performance and longevity of this major arena facility.

Guide: Kevin Boutilier, Halifax Regional Municipality

1. Financial, Market Analysis: Factors Impacting Retrofit Delivery
This roundtable will bring together industry leaders, program designers, financial experts, and practitioners to explore emerging opportunities and challenges shaping Canada’s retrofit landscape.
Hosted by RBC

2. Emerging Technologies and Other Innovations Advancing Residential Retrofits
A fast‑paced discussion highlighting new technologies, tools, and approaches that are advancing residential energy efficiency and shaping the next generation of home retrofit solutions.

3. Emerging Insights from the East Coast
A facilitated discussion exploring emerging insights, challenges, and opportunities identified through HCi3’s work to accelerate retrofit innovation and market transformation across Eastern Canadian communities.
Hosted by HCi3

4. Seal Your Retrofit: High‑Performance Building Envelopes
A focused session highlighting how innovative window and door technologies are supporting deeper energy savings, improved durability, and scalable retrofit outcomes.
Hosted by INLINE Fiberglass

5. Leadership & Team Dynamics for Scalable Retrofit Success
Retrofitting existing buildings requires strong leadership and highly effective teams operating across generations, disciplines, and organizations. This facilitated roundtable brings industry stakeholders together to examine how leadership behaviours and team dynamics influence retrofit delivery and outcomes. Participants will openly explore where misalignment, decision friction, and communication gaps slow progress despite proven technical solutions.             
Linda Munden, Consultant

6. Air-to-Water Heat Pumps for Hydronic Retrofit Applications in Atlantic Canada
Early research on the viability of air-to-water heat pumps as a retrofit solution to replace oil-fired boilers in Atlantic Canada. The session examines performance in cold, humid winter conditions, compatibility with existing hydronic emitters such as fin tube baseboards, and early findings from field and lab testing including cost and installation considerations.
Aiden Meager, DAL

Visit our Innovation Learning Zone!

Visit the Innovation Learning Zone to hear short pitches from start ups and innovators showcasing new ideas, technologies, and approaches shaping the future of building retrofit and energy efficiency.

Climate Risk & Insurance, Energy Justice, and more.

The Heat Pump Revolution, Demand Response at Scale, and more.

Looking back at some of successful deep retrofits over the past year, review case studies highlighting successful projects and lessons learned, and models for success.

This session highlights how Toronto’s pilot Better Condos Boot Camp (BCBC) equips condo boards, owners, and managers to lead effective decarbonization projects—and explores why this model is ready to be replicated nationwide.

Hosted by RBC

Deep energy retrofits hold enormous potential for reducing Canada's residential carbon footprint — but completing them is complex, multi-disciplinary work. Drawing on data and case studies from Retrofit Canada's repository, this session opens with a brief presentation on what deep residential energy retrofits actually look like in practice: the scope, the performance outcomes achieved, and the real effort involved in getting them done. From there, the discussion turns to the people doing this work every day. A panel of experts spanning the full scope of residential retrofits will share their perspectives on what is standing in the way of doing this at scale, and what practical solutions are emerging. Topics will include contractor capacity and trades availability, cross-discipline coordination challenges, cost and financing barriers for homeowners, and the role of standardization and workforce development in enabling growth.

Visit our Innovation Learning Zone

Visit our Innovation Learning Zone

1. Tools and Technologies in 2026
This lightning round highlights new and emerging technologies, tools, and design approaches that are advancing residential energy efficiency, showcasing practical innovations that are reshaping how homeowners, programs, and practitioners plan and deliver next‑generation retrofit solutions.

1. Decarbonization in Action: The Atlantic Baptist Housing Retrofit Case Study
This session highlights a practical retrofit case study from Atlantic Baptist Housing, demonstrating how thoughtful planning, resident‑focused design, and data‑driven decision‑making can turn decarbonization goals into real, measurable outcomes.
Speaker: Stuart Galloway, SOFIAC

2. Social Contracting, Consultation and Co-Creation – what you need to know
This lightning round introduces the concept of social contracting—an emerging approach that embeds equity, community benefit, and inclusive engagement into retrofit delivery models to ensure projects create measurable social value alongside emissions reductions.
Speaker: Kaitlin Carroll, TA

3. 2025 National Building Code Updates and the Road to the 2030 Code Cycle
The session highlights recent updates related to energy efficiency standards and performance approaches for existing buildings. In 2025, the National Building code underwent important updates. Attend this fast-paced session to review what changed and how it will impact your projects in 2026. Including insights into the 2030 code cycles, tips and best practices for implementation.

Speaker: Tiam Maiyah, NRC

Towards Multi-generational Living: An Urban Low-carbon Deep Energy Retrofit
This project transforms a modest brick bungalow into a vibrant multigenerational home while dramatically reducing its carbon footprint. Through deconstruction, material reuse, and minimizing foam and plastics, it demonstrates a practical approach to sustainable construction on one of the most challenging urban sites. If it can succeed under these constraints, it shows how thoughtful design and smarter building choices can reshape housing anywhere.
Speakers:Terrell Wong, Stonethrow Designs, Chris Phillips , Green Energy

Pioneering CO₂ Heat Pump Retrofits to pilot Demand Response in Multi‑Unit Residential Buildings
This session highlights a first‑of‑its‑kind domestic hot water CO₂ heat pump retrofit in a 39‑unit 1980s building, delivered through LandlordBC’s RARA program and BC Hydro’s DSM pilot to demonstrate scalable, peak‑demand‑shifting decarbonization solutions for existing multifamily housing.
Speakers: Leo Glaser , Thirdspace

Retrofit Canada’s 2025 Project Walk-Through
There are still many barriers to deep retrofits, but we are starting to find pathways around them. Peter Amerongen, co-founder of Retrofit Canada, will take you through a few of our recent retrofit projects and point out some learnings. Rebecca Pinto, Retrofit Canada's Executive Director, will introduce you to some new tools being developed to help you accelerate your retrofits.
Speakers: Rebecca Pinto, Retrofit Canada and Peter Amerogen, Retrofit Canada

This session provides a concise overview of how Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) are evolving in Canada and what these changes mean for existing buildings. Attendees will gain insight into the latest code updates, emerging compliance pathways, and how performance‑based requirements are shaping retrofit priorities across jurisdictions. The discussion will highlight practical implications for building owners, policymakers, and retrofit practitioners, emphasizing how BEPS can drive deeper energy savings, support decarbonization goals, and align market activity with long‑term climate objectives.

This panel pulls it all together—clarifying what needs to get done, the policies required to enable that progress, and the people and partnerships essential to delivering it. As we chart the path forward, the discussion will focus on the practical steps, structural supports, and collaborative actions needed to build a stronger, more aligned retrofit workforce nationwide. Together, we’ll set ourselves up for a successful 2027 and beyond.

A concise look at Sidewalk RED’s conversion of a federal office building into downtown Halifax housing, highlighting key insights from the CAF Report and project findings. Exploring the opportunities across Canada.

Sponsored by RDH

Sponsored by RDH