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Regulatory co-operation

Harmonizing energy efficiency standards

The Government of Canada is committed to harmonizing energy efficiency standards within the country and with our international partners. These efforts not only improve the marketplace but also support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of a low-carbon economy.

1. Federal-provincial-territorial cooperation

In August 2016, Canada’s Energy Ministers established a framework for cooperation on energy efficiency standards to achieve energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The framework, Encouraging Market Transformation Through Collaboration on Energy Efficiency Standards (PDF, 1.95 MB), established the principles that define an effective and coordinated regulatory system and that guide the development of joint priorities.

Federal, provincial, and territorial action plans under this framework are published annually. They lay out detailed plans for collaboration, including shared priorities for new and updated standards, and areas to improve regulatory development, implementation and transparency. The action plans also report on the accomplishments from the previous year.

Action plans

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) established the Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table (RCT), a federal-provincial-territorial body that oversees the process to align regulatory frameworks across all jurisdictions and reduces barriers to trade, investment, and labour mobility within Canada. The Energy Efficiency Regulations are listed in two annual workplans. Learn more about the RCT.

2. Canada-U.S. regulatory cooperation

Canada and the United States share a joint commitment to strong regulatory cooperation and promoting economic competitiveness, while maintaining and improving standards for health, safety and environmental protection.

The Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) was established in 2011 to increase regulatory coordination between Canada and the United States with the aim of reducing costs for businesses and consumers in both countries.

This relationship was reaffirmed in June 2021, when Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the U.S. DOE signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Natural Resources of Canada and the Department of Energy of the United States of America Concerning Cooperation on Energy, which acknowledges that both countries would collaborate on new and updated energy efficiency and testing standards.

Under the RCC, Natural Resources Canada and the U.S. Department of Energy have published a Regulatory Partnership Statement and Annual Work Plan as part of a commitment to better align Canadian and U.S. energy efficiency standards.

The Regulatory Partnership Statement (document is bilingual) (PDF, 154 KB) formalizes the relationship between the two departments. It defines the scope of cooperation, identifies the senior executives who will manage the Statement and specifies annual joint meetings where stakeholders can provide input and work plans can be approved.

Work plans

The Annual Work Plan describes key project elements, such as deliverables and outcomes. It will be updated annually in consultation with stakeholders at annual joint meetings.

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