Glass Canada • June 2025 • That’s Rich

At a planned height of over 300 metres, The Holborn Group is proposing to build what would become Metro Vancouver’s tallest structure. Any proposed tall building is good news at this point. However, if this proposal passes and the skyscraper gets built, chances are the glazing will be supplied from offshore because local companies simply can’t compete with foreign suppliers who do not have the same health, safety or environmental standards as Canadian businesses.

British Columbia’s Step Code comprises some of the most stringent energy regulations in North America. While these initiatives aim to reduce carbon emissions and support a more sustainable future, their implications have reverberated across industries, particularly within Division 8.

The requirements of Clean BC demand significant investments in research, development and production capabilities to meet these high standards. However, the tightening of regulations has unintentionally pushed much of this manufacturing work overseas. Cost pressures and limited domestic support incentivize developers to purchase glazing systems from countries with less stringent environmental and safety regulations. This shift often results in increased reliance on imported products made in facilities that may employ outdated practices, lack environmental safeguards and compromise worker safety.

For local glaziers and architects committed to sourcing sustainable materials, this presents a unique challenge. The environmental benefit of improved energy-efficient buildings is often offset by the carbon footprint tied to transporting materials across the globe.

These dynamics place the onus on policymakers and industry stakeholders to strike a better balance in which local manufacturing can thrive while adhering to strict environmental goals. Advocating for greater investment incentives, tax relief or grants could encourage domestic innovation and maintain production within North America, all while preserving stringent safety protocols and minimizing environmental impact.

The way forward requires collaboration and forward-thinking policies to support local manufacturing while achieving sustainability goals. Policymakers and industry stakeholders must find ways to balance environmental regulations with economic feasibility.

Governments could introduce tailored grants, subsidies, and tax relief to encourage innovation in sustainable material production.

Developing alliances between architects, builders, and local manufacturers could foster the adoption of greener technologies while creating economic momentum.

Authorities might commit to greater traceability when sourcing building components, ensuring transparency about the embodied carbon and environmental footprint of each material used.

By nurturing a sustainable, Canada-based supply chain, the industry could build efficiencies that reduce dependency on international imports while lowering emissions.

The construction of iconic projects like Holborn’s proposed development provides an opportunity to showcase the best of both innovation and sustainability. However, achieving a truly sustainable future for B.C.’s building industry will require more than advanced architecture and cutting-edge designs. It will demand systemic changes to enable local manufacturers to thrive under these new regulatory frameworks.

Collaboration between governments, architects, developers and manufacturers is essential. By aligning local industrial growth with sustainability objectives, British Columbia can lead the way in pioneering smarter, greener buildings.

For now, as we look up at the inspiring designs altering Canada’s skylines, let’s also consider how we can build stronger foundations for the local industries that make these projects possible.

A sustainable, Canada-based supply chain could reduce dependency on international imports.

Rich Porayko is business development director for Fenestration Canada Commercial