Course Catalog
Below is the roster of workshops and CE hour opportunities offered regularly through the Greater Toronto Chapter.  If the course is open for registration, the date will be hyperlinked. All CaGBC courses qualify as prerequisites for the LEED Green Associate (GA) exam, and the majority of these courses fulfill LEED AP CE hours.
 
For a calendar view of our upcoming education opportunities, click here.

Looking to host a lunch and learn or a private workshop for your team? 
Contact us.


LEED-Specific Workshops

LEED Green Associate Study Course

Building Green with LEED:  Core Concepts and Strategies

LEED Canada EB:O&M (Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance) -- Technical Review
 

LEED Canada for New Construction (NC) -- Technical Review

Speed Up Your LEED Canada-NC 1.0 Certification

LEED Canada HOMES

 

Green Building Workshops

 
 
 
 
 

Other Continuing Education Opportunities




Course Descriptions


LEED Green Associate Study Course
2012 Dates Available:
January 10 & 11
March 6 & 7
May 15 & 16 - Sold Out
June 26 & 27
July 17 & 18
September 18 & 19
November 20 & 21
 

This NEW two-day LEED Green Associate study course provides the foundational knowledge for the LEED Green Associate exam and attain your first level of credentialing. Through a combination of lectures, group activities and practice test questions participants will learn about:
  • Site Selection: Why is it important? What impact can it have on your building and the surrounding environment
  • Water and Energy Use: What impact do these have on the ‘triple bottom line’? How are you using water and Energy? How can you reduce usage? Are there technologies and strategies that can generate and use alternative supplies of energy and water?
  • Building Materials: Why does it matter where your materials come from? What impact do your building materials have on the people and environment around you? How can you decrease need for more materials?
  • Indoor Environment: How can it affect the health of occupants? What can you do to increase productivity?
  • Innovation: How can building innovations work to your advantage?
  • Following this course participants will be able to:
Identify the general concepts, technologies and strategies associated with each credit category 
  • Describe the purpose of each LEED rating system
  • Identify the LEED credit categories
  • Successfully register for the LEED Green Associate Exam
You will leave the course with the following tools:
  • Study Guide
  • CaGBC USB key with all reference documents required to study for the LEED Green Associate exam
  • GBCI LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook
  • Large sample of exam questions and Flash Cards to aid your study efforts
  • A certificate of completion 
 
Level/CEUs
Level 100, GBCI CE hours not applicable

 
Cost  (includes coffee/tea and lunch both days)
$550 Members early bird  (Normal: $625)
$
650 Non-Members early bird  (early bird: $740)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts

Register
 as a Chapter Member and save $115 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!





 

Building Green with LEED:  Core Concepts and Strategies

2012 Dates Available:
April 18
October 18

This full-day workshop provides essential knowledge of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating Systems and sustainable building concepts. This workshop supports those seeking a better understanding of LEED or wishing to pursue the future LEED Green Associate (Tier I) credential. This workshop presents LEED concepts at the credit category level – across building types and rating systems – and the basics on the LEED certification process. It provides the foundation required for more advance LEED Implementation training. Real project examples help demonstrate and reinforce learning.

Individuals studying for the GBCI’s Green Associate (GA) credential may find this a useful workshop to attend as part of their study plan.

Workshop Objectives
• Identify the key components of the LEED rating system
• Discuss the overall LEED certification process
• Describe the intents, general requirements and associated concepts of each LEED credit category
• Recognize successful LEED strategies and measures for achieving credit category goals
• Explain regulations, recognitions and incentives related to each credit category

Level/CEUs
Level 200, 7 GBCI CE Hours
(Accepted by OAA, OAQ, MAA, SAA, AIBC, AAA, NSAA, AANB, AAPEI, NAA, NWT, CCA, RAIC)

Cost
$365 CaGBC Members (early bird: $325)
$400 Chapter Members (early bird: $365)
$475 Non-Members (early bird: $430)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts 
 
 
 
Register as a Chapter Member and save $75 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!





  
 
 


LEED Canada EB:O&M (Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance) -- Technical Review
 
 
2012 Dates Available:
February 7
June 14
December 6

 
Become fluent in the LEED Canada for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (EB: O&M) rating system.  In this one-day, interactive course, you'll review the technical specifications, understand the specific requirements of each credit, and create a plan for your building's LEED certification or re-certification.  We'll discuss technologies and strategies that can assist in achieving credits, and participants are given the opportunity to consider the synergies between various credits. Case studies allow participants to apply their learning to real project scenarios.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the purpose and benefits of the LEED Canada for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (Canada EB: O&M) rating system
  • Begin to develop and implement a plan for LEED certification and recertification
Describe the intents and requirements of each LEED Canada EB:O&M credit
 
Level/CEUs
 Level 200, 7 GBCI CE Hours

Cost
$365 CaGBC Members  (early bird:  $325)
$400 Chapter Members  (early bird:  $365)
$475 Non-Members  (early bird: $430)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts

Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $75 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!
 


  

  


Effective Commissioning for Existing Buildings

2012 Dates Available: 
September 11
 
Build your skills in determining the appropriate level of effort, actions, national and local standards, cost options, and reasonable timelines in an effectively commissioning an existing building.  After taking this half-day course, you'll be able to correctly and consistently interpret LEED requirements, develop effective requests for proposals, differentiate between service providers, and consistently identify the quality of service received in commissioning or recommissioning buildings. 

Background
The lack of market knowledge has led to inconsistency of service and a low perceived value of commissioning among property managers and building operators. Managers of any building pursuing LEED EB will have some level of engagement with the recommissioning process, and they will have to make a decision as to what level of recommissioning to pursue.  This course clarifies and consolidates information to provide Property Owners, Portfolio Managers, Building Operators, Service Providers and others a consistent definition of recommissioning.  This is the only time this year we offer this foundational half-day interactive workshop. 

Cost
$195 National or Chapter member
$250 Non-member

 
Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $55 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!








 LEED Canada for New Construction (NC) -- Technical Review  
 
2012 Dates Available:
March 22
October 16

 
The LEED Canada New Construction (LEED NC) rating system has become the definitive benchmark for what constitutes a “green building.” Become fluent in what it takes to create healthy, high-performing, green buildings and achieve superior economic performance.

We will review the LEED Canada NC rating system and discuss technologies and design strategies that can be used to achieve credits and cost-savings. You will be given the opportunity to consider the synergies between various credits and discover ways to optimize performance for long-term cost savings. By providing real-life case study comparisons, we'll assist you in applying your learning to real project scenarios. This workshop also touches upon the changes that have occurred during the evolution of the NC 1.0 rating system and Addendum to the 2009 system.

Who Should Attend?
Those who... 
  • wish to become more familiar with the LEED Canada NC rating system
  • want to earn LEED professional credentials
  • are studying for the LEED AP + BD&C (Building Design and Construction) credential
  • are looking to fulfill CE hours (this course meets the requirements for credential maintenance for LEED professionals as well as LEED APs without specialty upgrading to LEED AP with BD+C.)
Learning Objectives
You will become knowledgeable in: 
  • the purpose, benefits, and strategies in achieving the LEED Canada NC 2009 rating
  • the intents, requirements, and opportunities of each LEED Canada NC 2009 credit
  • how LEED Canada NC 2009 can be applied to your building and other Canadian buildings
  • comparing NC to the Core & Shell (CS) rating system
Level/CEUs
Level 200, 7 GBCI CE Hours BD+C specific

Cost
$365 CaGBC Members  (early bird:  $325)
$400 Chapter Members  (early bird:  $365)
$475 Non-Members  (early bird: $430)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts

Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $75 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!
  
 







Speed Up Your LEED Canada-NC 1.0 Certification

2012 Dates Available: 
January 19
June 11

 
This one-day interactive workshop discusses the LEED certification process and the tools in place to assist applicants seeking LEED Canada project certification for New Construction. This workshop addresses a number of the more complex documentation requirements in the LEED NC 1.0 + addendum and application guides for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURB), Campus and Multiple Buildings (CMB) and Core and Shell (CS). (Due to time constraints, not all documentation requirements are discussed in detail. Please note that this workshop covers the NC 1.1 documentation process and not NC 2009.)

Who Should Attend?
Those who...
  • are seeking LEED Canada certification for projects under the NC 1.0 Rating System and Addendum
  • are coordinating and submitting certification applications for LEED Canada NC 1.0
  • wish to become more familiar with new green building construction and the LEED Canada NC rating system
  • want to earn LEED professional credentials
  • are studying for the LEED AP + BD&C (Building Design and Construction) credential
  • are looking to fulfill CE hours (this course meets the requirements for credential maintenance for LEED professionals as well as LEED APs without specialty upgrading to LEED AP with BD+C.)
Learning Objectives
You will become knowledgeable in:
  • systematically approaches in completing the LEED certification process
  • enhancing a LEED certification application through LEED letter templates
  • what to include and what not to include in the first LEED submission
  • common mistakes made in LEED submissions
  • steps to improve the overall quality of LEED submissions
  • CaGBC’s process for reviewing completed applications

Level/CEUs
Level 300, 7.5 GBCI CE Hours, 7.5 OAA core learning hours

Cost
$365 CaGBC Members  (early bird:  $325)
$400 Chapter Members  (early bird:  $365)
$475 Non-Members  (early bird: $430)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts

Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $75 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!
  









LEED Canada HOMES

2012 Dates Available:
April 26
November 15
 

This full-day workshop provides essential knowledge of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Canada for Homes rating system. It provides the foundation required for more advanced LEED Canada for Homes training. Group activities help demonstrate and reinforce learning. This workshop is available in English and French.

Who Should Attend?
The target audience for this workshop is individuals seeking a better understanding of LEED Canada for Homes. This may include: home builders, interior designers, contractors, architects, project managers, developers, product manufacturers, real estate managers, owners and tenants, consultants and industry stakeholders. Individuals studying for the LEED AP with Homes credential may find this a useful workshop to attend as part of their study plan.

Learning Objectives
• Explain the characteristics of green homes and LEED® Homes
• Navigate the scorecard and certification process
• Identify roles and responsibilities
• Manage the costs associated with obtaining LEED Canada for Homes certification

Level/CEUs
Level 200, 7 GBCI CE hours

Cost
$225 CaGBC Members  (early bird:  $200)
$275 Chapter Members  (early bird:  $245)
$325 Non-Members  (early bird: $295)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts

Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $50 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!
   








*NEW* Green Buildings That Work: Case Studies of Real-Life, High Performing Green Buildings
 

2012 Dates Available:
June 11
 
 
This course strips back successful building projects to see what made them green, what made them high performing, and how that can be replicated in future projects. Through this half-day course, you'll hone your senses on the most effective strategies to build healthy green buildings that actually perform, as well as how to avoid green washing, achieve real operational cost savings, and make a real impact on the environment. This is especially relevant in light of the class‐action suit in the US and rhetoric about LEED buildings that haven't met their operational targets. This is the only time this year we offer this half-day interactive workshop.  (More details to come)

Level/CEUs
TBD

Cost
$195 Member
$250 Non-Members

Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $55 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!
 




 


*NEW* Green Economics: Financially-Viable Deep Green Buildings
 
2012 Dates Available:
February 29
May 2
October 2
 
 
Build your business case for building green. In this one-day workshop, you'll take a detailed examination of how to build financially viable deep green buildings and manage (and offset) green building cost premiums. We'll explore:
  • How do green buildings enhance the bottom line beyond energy cost savings?
  • Does green cost more? If so, how do we reduce the cost premiums?
We'll work with case studies so you can apply your knowledge in planning the greening of existing buildings and the building of new green projects. This workshop draws extensively from the presenters’ experience working as development managers on numerous LEED platinum projects across Canada. This is the only time this year we will be offering this course.

Learning Objectives
  • Identify cost premiums associated with building green, as well as the many benefits
  • Describe how defining clear design objectives, using integrated design, and employing experienced contractors can mitigate cost premiums 
  • List potential sources of subsidies, incentives and grants for green building projects 
  • Identify how life cycle costing can change how costs are perceived 
  • Identify alternative finance mechanisms, such as green mortgages, green loans, and investments by Energy Services Companies
Level/CEUs
Level 200, 6.5 GBCI CE hours

Cost
$325 Member
$395 Non-member
 
Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $55 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!





 


*NEW* Solar Energy: Best Practices for Residential Buildings
 

2012 Dates Available:
March 19
June 18
June 28
  
 
 
With the OPA's FIT/microFIT programs, predicted rising electricity prices and recent technological jumps in efficiency, solar is now a viable green energy solution for Ontario homeowners. The CaGBC has boiled down years of research and application into a fully-loaded, one-day course. You'll walk away with the best design and install applications to help you understand what it takes to create the most energy-efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic (PV) and thermal (hot water) residential solar power systems.

Who Should Attend?
Anyone interested in solar energy for residential applications. This could include homeowners, architects, builders, developers, engineers, technicians/technologists, and real estate professionals.

Learning Objectives
• Identify the opportunities for solar energy in residential buildings
• Understand the design, technical and installation requirements for residential solar thermal and photovoltaic systems
• Calculate the Return On Investment (ROI) for residential photovoltaic installation
• Describe the Micro FIT (Feed In Tariff) program and application process
• Identify other aspects of photovoltaics for future exploration

Level/CEU's
Level 200, 4.5 GBCI CE hours

 
Cost
$325 Members  (early bird:  $300)
$395 Non-Members  (early bird: $360)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts
 
 
Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $70 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!
 
 
 



 


*NEW* Rainwater Harvesting Systems Design, Installation and Management

2012 Dates Available: 
February 9
 
 
 
This one-day course focuses on the regulatory and technical aspects of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems for both residential and ICI (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional) buildings. Technical aspects discussed include rainwater catchment and conveyance, tank selection and sizing, rainwater treatment, make-up (“top-up”) water system and backflow prevention, and handling overflows from rainwater storage tanks. For each of these topics, the regulatory framework (particularly the Ontario Building Code) is addressed. Participants attending the course are provided with a copy of the Ontario Guidelines for Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems.
 
Learning Objectives
  • Identify the regulatory framework pertaining to RWH in Ontario, with particular focus on applicable code provisions in Ontario’s Building Code
  • Understand the issues associated with RWH systems, identify components of a RWH system, and define technical aspects of RWH systems 
  • Describe the similarities and differences between rainwater harvesting systems in residential applications and in ICI applications
  • Apply the contents of the Ontario Guidelines for Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems to the design, installation and management of RWH systems
  • Utilize the Rainwater Harvesting Design & Costing Tool (Microsoft Excel-based software) to size rainwater storage tanks, size pump systems and generate RWH system cost estimate
 
Level/CEU's
Level 200, 6 GBCI CE hours

 
Cost
$325 Members  (early bird:  $300)
$395 Non-Members  (early bird: $360)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts
 
 

Register
 as a Chapter Member and save up to $70 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!



 

*NEW* Cutting through the Hot Air: Carbon Neutral Buildings

2012 Dates Available: 
January 26
June 11

 
While the basic definition of carbon neutral is simple – no net carbon is produced as a result of the project or activity – applying it in practice to a building project can be complex. It is necessary to determine the scope: for example, one definition of carbon neutral commitment applies to building energy use once the building is complete, another includes emissions during construction, and yet another aims to account for the embedded energy in materials used in the project. We must also consider the following questions:
  • What are the cost implications of the commitment, both in terms of soft capital and lifecycle costs?
  • What are the opportunities for common strategies that help achieve both LEED Certification and carbon neutral targets?
  • What design processes and strategies can be used that help the team meet the carbon neutral target? All carbon neutral building projects to date have used offsetting to make the claim of carbon neutrality.
  • What are the different offset options and the costs and benefits of each?
This course will help participants work through these questions.

 Learning Objectives
    • Discuss issues relating to carbon, climate change, and climate justice
    • Engage in a dialogue about the green building movement and the critical issues of our time
    • Identify some of the key drivers of carbon neutrality
    • Build skills to critically analyze different methods to define and apply carbon neutrality
    • Distinguish between tools and resources to support carbon neutral buildings
 
Level/CEU's
Level 200, 3.5 GBCI CE hours

Cost
$195 Members  (early bird:  $175)
$250 Non-Members  (early bird: $225)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts

Register as a Chapter Member and save up to $50 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!






 
Understanding the Living Building Challenge
 

2012 Dates Available: 

  
The Living Building Challenge is a philosophy, advocacy tool and certification program that promotes the most advanced measurement of sustainability in the built environment possible today. Since its inception in 2009, the Living Building Challenge has swept North America. There are now over sixty projects in process from coast to coast pursuing certification under this vigorous performance standard, and interest continues to rise. This workshop provides a 6-hour introduction to the Living Building Challenge and key issues such as regulatory, financial, behavioral and technological barriers and incentives.
 
Learning Objectives
  • Identify the key components of the Living Building Challenge
  • Discuss the rationale for restorative design principles
  • Identify successful strategies for compliance with each performance area (site, water, energy, health, materials, equity and beauty)
  • Recognize financial, regulatory and behavioral barriers and incentives related to high performance design
  • Describe the Living Building Challenge Community resources and certification process
Level/CEU's
Level 200, 6 GBCI CE hours, 6 AIA Learning Units

Cost
$365 CaGBC Members (early bird: $325)
$400 Chapter Members (early bird: $365)
$475 Non-Members (early bird: $430)
*early bird pricing ends 2 weeks before the course starts
 
 
 

Register
 as a Chapter Member and save up to $75 on this course, plus 15 - 45% all Chapter workshops and events!



 


Lunch + LEED (LEED Credential Info Sessions)  
Offered the second Tuesday of every month, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm @ 55 University Avenue, Toronto.
Due to holidays, some months Lunch + LEED may be offered on that Thursday.  See link below for schedule.


Considering LEED AP?

Bring a lunch and join the Greater Toronto Chapter of the CaGBC for a 1-hr presentation and Q+A period to answer your questions about the LEED credential.  It's the perfect opportunity to:

  • meet other aspiring green building professionals
  • understand the new tiered LEED credential system and the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP)
  • learn about exam requirements and the application procedures
  • see which resources are offered by the Chapter and CaGBC
  • find out how to earn CE hours
  • form study groups with your peers

There is no cost but please register to attend.




GreenTech Webinar Series
Offered the third Thursday of every month, from 1pm to 2pm

To register for the next webinar, 
click here.


Looking to learn about the latest in green building technologies? Want to discover how other companies have deployed new technologies? Need to understand how to reduce your building’s operational costs? If so, join us for our monthly Green Technology Webinar Series.
 
These monthly Green Technology Webinars take place on the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m.  Each session brings manufacturers of the latest green building technologies to the comfort of your office and the opportunity to learn about the latest in building technologies, while providing a format to ask questions and discover the right solutions for your operations.

 
Time: 1 - 2pm
Cost:  Free, but registration required.  (To register for the next webinar, 
click here)

Brought to you by the Clinton Climate Initiative, Partners in Project Green, Greening Greater Toronto and the Greater Toronto Chapter of the CaGBC.