Archived News Releases

News Release - Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg

Urban Ecology EQuilibrium Housing Project Celebrates its Official Opening



WINNIPEG - March 17, 2011 – Today, the Government of Canada along with the Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg announced the official opening of the Urban Ecology EQuilibrium™ Housing project, an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  The home was built by the Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (WHRC) as part of CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative,  (www.cmhc.ca/en/en_001.cfm) which encourages builders and developers to build the next generation of sustainable housing in Canada.  The Urban Ecology Home is the tenth EQuilibrium™ home across Canada to be completed and opened for public tours.

The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for CMHC, was joined by the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Manitoba Minister of Housing and Community Development, Mike Pagtakhan, Winnipeg City Councillor, Menno Peters, Executive Director, WHRC, Megan Tate from the Winnipeg Foundation and Lloyd Kuczek from Manitoba Hydro,along with sponsors and supporters to celebrate the opening.

“The Government of Canada is proud to work with WHRC on their project to design and build the Urban Ecology home,” said Minister of State Fletcher.  “This forward-looking project demonstrates how we can build beautiful, healthy homes that conserve energy and resources.”

“Manitoba has always enjoyed a leadership role in innovation and we are especially glad to see these designs aimed at entry-level or first-time home buyers,” said Minister Irvin-Ross.  “Environmental responsibility is everyone’s business and we all win when new housing options are made available to Manitobans, especially in existing neighbourhoods.”

Representing Mayor Sam Katz, Councillor Pagtakhan said, “Building sustainable neighbourhoods is a key focus of the City’s long-term planning in the Speak Up Winnipeg process.  We’re pleased to be partners in a project that advances that goal, and helps point the way to a greener Winnipeg.”                            

EQuilibrium™ demonstration homes are designed to be healthy to live in, highly energy and resource efficient, produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis, and have very low environmental impact.

“Participating in CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Housing Initiative gave us the opportunity to continue our efforts of revitalizing Winnipeg’s inner city neighbourhoods and allowed us to explore new ways of building affordable housing that has environmental, social and economic benefits,” said Stephanie Haight, Project Manager of Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation. 

The Urban Ecology project team is one of manybuilder/developer teams across Canada to have turned design concepts into real homes as part of CMHC’s national EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative.  All CMHC EQuilibrium™ Housing projects are open to the public and industry for demonstration for a minimum of 6 months.  The houses are monitored for performance for one year, once occupied.

CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative offers a new approach to housing in Canada.It strives to balance housing needs with those of the environment.  It brings together—under one roof—the principles of occupant health and comfort, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, resource and water conservation, reduced environmental impact and affordability.

CMHC has worked closely with many stakeholders to develop and establish EQuilibrium™ Housing. In particular, CMHC has collaborated closely with Natural Resources Canada, which has contributed substantial research and development expertise and resources to advancing the Initiative.

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC(www.cmhc.ca/) draws on 65 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes—homes that will continue to create vibrant, healthy communities and cities across the country. For more information, call 1-800-668-2642or visit CMHC’s website at www.cmhc.ca.

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Backgrounder
Urban Ecology EQuilibrium - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2011/Urban_EcologyBkg.HC.doc