Canada's carbon reporting landscape is evolving rapidly. Property managers and building owners need to understand what's required now and what's coming.
Federal Requirements
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) have finalized climate-related disclosure rules for publicly traded companies, aligned with the ISSB's IFRS S2 standard. While private companies aren't directly covered, many feel downstream pressure from their public-company clients.
Provincial Highlights
Ontario: The Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) initiative requires annual reporting for buildings over 50,000 sq ft. Starting 2026, public disclosure is mandatory.
Quebec: Regulation respecting mandatory reporting of certain emissions of contaminants already covers large emitters. New building performance standards are expected in 2026.
British Columbia: The BC Energy Step Code is pushing toward net-zero-ready buildings by 2032, with reporting requirements tightening annually.
Scope 1 and 2 Emissions
For most commercial buildings, the primary emissions sources are: - Scope 1: On-site combustion (natural gas for heating, emergency generators) - Scope 2: Purchased electricity (varies dramatically by province — Quebec's hydro-heavy grid has a fraction of Alberta's emissions factor)
EdiMono calculates both scopes using the latest provincial grid emission factors from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
What Property Managers Should Do Now
- Start collecting data — you can't report what you don't measure
- Establish baselines — before regulations mandate specific targets
- Understand your grid factor — it determines your Scope 2 emissions
- Use a platform like EdiMono — purpose-built for Canadian requirements
Key Takeaway
Carbon reporting is no longer optional for most commercial portfolios in Canada. Starting early gives you cleaner data, defensible baselines, and a head start on reduction targets.