Canada Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. have signed an agreement in principle to form a Canadian joint venture called Green Business Certification Inc. Canada with final terms anticipated to be agreed upon this summer.

Beginning in early 2018, GBCI Canada will deliver all of the current and future GBCI offerings including certification and professional credentialing services for LEED v4, WELL, SITES, PEER, Parksmart, Zero Waste and GRESB in Canada. The new organization is being established to more effectively support the Canadian market.

CaGBC, a not-for-profit, mission-driven organization is dedicated to the transformation of Canadian buildings, homes and communities. CaGBC will continue to engage and support the Canadian green building industry, its members and stakeholders through education and training, advocacy and research, business events and a range of other activities. CaGBC will continue to provide certification reviews and market support for LEED Canada, thereby not disrupting the existing certification model for its customers. It will also deliver and support its new Zero Carbon Building Standard.

Both organizations will be managed by CaGBC President and CEO, Thomas Mueller, to ensure seamless integration and the effective advancement of both organizations. Through growth of various programs and services, revenue from GBCI Canada will support CaGBC’s mission. LEED will remain well-supported in Canada. CaGBC will continue to certify all LEED Canada projects. GBCI Canada will deliver LEED v4 and all GBCI rating systems via LEED Online and Arc, using Canadian staff and knowledge to provide support.

“The urgency of addressing climate change requires bold and innovative new approaches to doing business,” said Thomas Mueller, President and CEO, CaGBC. “Forming GBCI Canada is a critical step in CaGBC and GBCI’s strategy to scale up green building market transformation and impact. Members of the CaGBC, and the industry at large, will benefit from this new organization dedicated exclusively to the delivery, enhanced service and market support of a broader range of green business solutions.”

GBCI is the premier organization independently recognizing excellence in green business industry performance and practice globally. Through its rigorous certification and credentialing standards, GBCI drives the adoption of green business practices that foster global competitiveness and enhance environmental performance and human health benefits. This new venture will serve to facilitate the growth of USGBC’s LEED program and GBCI rating systems, and provide additional on-the-ground support for the country. GBCI Canada is now the third incorporation of GBCI including GBCI Europe and GBCI India, but the first partnership with an established green building council.

“GBCI and CaGBC complement each other by bringing unique strengths to the joint venture that together will help accelerate market transformation one project at a time,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, GBCI. “CaGBC brings 15 years of green building expertise, market reach and industry access earned through establishing LEED as the leading green building rating system in Canada, making them an ideal partner as we work to improve access to GBCI sustainability programs and resources. This longstanding partnership sets a fine example of how together we can achieve something bigger and helps us to keep building.”