Quebec’s self-proclaimed City of Saints has become the latest Canadian metropolis to take a plunge into the net-zero wilderness by banning the use of clean burning Alberta natural gas in most new buildings starting next year.That’s because the city of Montreal’s executive committee on Wednesday followed the lead of other left-coast Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo to ban natural gas hookups in new residential buildings starting next October and commercial ones in April 2025..The difference is that Montreal has fewer than 140 frost-free days per year; Victoria and Vancouver have more than 300 each..Montreal’s move effectively bans gas-powered heating systems such as furnaces and water heaters, heated swimming pools and spas and even gas-piped barbecues — although charcoal BBQs and removable propane tank units will still be allowed for now..Violators face penalties of up to $4,000 per day for non-compliance. ."The bylaw on GHG emissions from new buildings represents significant progress in our community's ecological transition,"Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante.Exceptions will be made for emergency generators, commercial stoves in restaurants (‘mais oui’, in a city known for food) and temporary heating units used for construction work. Large industrial buildings — such as breweries — will also be exempt.According to the city’s numbers, the move will save about 400 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year — a mere fraction of the 10 million tonnes it emitted in 2021..Although the new bylaw does not apply to existing buildings, the city plans to introduce mandatory GHG reporting requirements starting in 2024. The bylaw is part of the city's 2020/2030 climate plan, which includes a target of zero-emission buildings by 2040..Calgary made a similar ‘climate emergency’ declaration in November of 2021..The Federation of Canadian Municipalities estimates urban municipalities account for half of all greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, mostly through transportation and the energy used to heat, cool and light homes and buildings.
