EnerQuality Announces 2011 Awards of Excellence Winners

Commitment to sustainable, energy efficient building celebrated

COLLINGWOOD, ON, Feb. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - Minto Communities Inc. captured top honours when it was named 2011 Green Builder of the Year and 2011 Leader of the Year by EnerQuality through the organization's annual Awards of Excellence program which recognizes leaders in construction who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to building high-performance, energy-efficient, sustainable new housing. Building in residential communities in Ottawa and Toronto, Minto was heralded for demonstrating innovation and excellence through labeling, marketing and sales and for its work in raising consumer awareness and empowering employees to embrace green building.

Empire Communities was presented with EnerQuality's ENERGY STAR^® for New Homes Builder of the Year award recognizing the company's exceptional commitment to energy efficiency by integrating labeling of their homes under the ENERGY STAR^® for New Homes program. In addition, Empire Communities employee Gary Botelho was honoured as EnerQuality's ENERGY STAR^® for New Homes Champion of the Year recognizing his initiative, strong support and enthusiasm for the program on behalf the builder.

Mason Homes was the winner of EnerQuality's Best Green Marketing Campaign award for its outstanding work in successfully integrating energy efficiency and a green message into their overall marketing program.

The award for EnerQuality's R-2000 Builder of the Year which salutes an exemplary commitment to building and labeling best-in-class energy efficient new homes under NRCan's National R-2000 program was presented to Gordon Tobey Developments.

Demonstrating both technical excellence and innovation while integrating green, energy efficiency building practices earned Steve Snider Construction Inc. the Building Innovation and Excellence award.

Commitment, leadership, advocacy, and innovation were all recognized in Awards categories that included Industry Partner of the Year, which went to Owens Corning Canada; and Evaluator of the Year, presented to Homesol Building Solutions. The Hall of Fame Award honoured Bruce Gough, an Ottawa architect and a pioneer in energy efficient housing who was also one of the architects of the ENERGY STAR^® for New Homes program. While Gough died in 2011 his passion, dedication and commitment to the residential construction industry will have a lasting impact in energy efficient housing in the province.

"All 2011 winners represent Ontario's best and brightest in sustainable building, and are making exciting things happen across the industry. We are privileged to work in an industry with so many true innovators and leaders guiding sustainable building now and for the future." said EnerQuality President Corey McBurney.

About EnerQuality   EnerQuality Corporation (www.enerquality.ca) is the market leader in green building programs. Founded in 1998 as a partnership between the Ontario Home Builders' Association and the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, EnerQuality's mission is to transform Ontario's housing into the most energy efficient and sustainable in the world.

Norma Kimmins
416-557-5648
[email protected]