The Government of Canada is investing $3.9 million toward the construction of Canada’s first net-zero, mixed-use, multi-unit residential building in the West 5 sustainable community in London, Ont. The investment is being provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program.

The residential building, Helio, hopes to demonstrate the possibility of net-zero energy for residences, and inspire change across the country’s construction industry. Net-zero buildings are designed and constructed to produce at least as much energy as what they consume on an annual basis.

“This project will demonstrate first-of-its-kind net-zero energy construction in high-rise residential buildings, making it a model for the future,” said Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources, in a press release.

The building, which will be constructed by Sifton Properties Limited, will include a monitoring system that will be used to optimize energy-efficiency performance, which may become a boon to the industry, going forward.

“Helio will be the most energy-efficient high-rise in Canada, designed and constructed to be 77 per cent more efficient than a similar building built under the current Ontario Building Code,” added Richard Sifton, president of Sifton Properties. “This is quite an accomplishment, and there is no doubt that the Energy Innovation Program has enabled us to push Helio further than thought possible. It will be an incredible addition to West 5.”