![Portrait of Betsy Agar](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-05/betsy-24.jpg?itok=eV_fs7lp)
Betsy Agar is the director of the Pembina Institute's buildings program. Through engagement, research and knowledge mobilization, she works on systems changes that will accelerate decarbonization of homes and buildings, such as through policy and regulatory reform and market transformation. Betsy’s work spans multiple government levels in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. on topics including deep retrofit market development team best practices, retrofitting for climate resilience, health, safety and affordability, industry readiness, and understanding our building stock.
Betsy’s prior professional experience includes buildings science engineering failure investigation, facility and bridge condition evaluation, design and field inspection; facilitation and convening dialogues as a co-creator of Renewable Cities at SFU Centre for Dialogue; research and teaching at McMaster University, as well as teaching at UBC and SFU. She has authored and participated in dozens of publications, presentations and media appearances.
Betsy holds a Professional Engineers Ontario licence and a Master of Applied Science degree from McMaster University. She is an active member on the BC Hydro Integrated Resource Plan Technical Advisory Committee the Fortis BC Energy Efficiency and Conservation Advisory Group, NRCan Green Construction through Wood Program Advisory Board, and the BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation (JERI) Mass Timber Advisory Council; she previously served on the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association Board (2016-2018), Retrofit Canada Board (2019-2022) and ReCover Initiative Advisory Committee (2020-2024).
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Betsy Agar's Research & Analysis
Canada and BC program expansion will ensure homes are affordable to heat and cool, safe, and resilient to extreme weather
Announcement shows BC is a leader among provinces on affordable housing, climate resilient buildings![Portrait of Betsy Agar](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/betsy-24.jpg?itok=5thxvND3)
![Cover of Reframed report showing front of Medewiwin Apartments](/sites/default/files/styles/sm_md/public/node_images/reframed-initiative--outcomes-and-analysis.png?itok=Yeo8XNCa)
Reframed Initiative: Outcomes and analysis
A study of six best in class deep retrofit schematic designs![Portrait of Betsy Agar](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/betsy-24.jpg?itok=5thxvND3)
![various old Pembina Institute logos](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/alumni-bio.jpg?itok=CV_sBscF)
Landmark Reframed Initiative demonstrates how deep building retrofits are doable and necessary
Designs include energy and carbon reductions plus beyond-energy benefits making homes healthier, safer, climate resilient and more affordable to heat and cool![Portrait of Betsy Agar](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/betsy-24.jpg?itok=5thxvND3)
![various old Pembina Institute logos](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/alumni-bio.jpg?itok=CV_sBscF)
Today’s announcement of Canada’s Housing Plan builds a foundation for safe, climate resilient homes
Announcement offers green, affordable housing supports, but more is needed from the provinces![Portrait of Betsy Agar](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/betsy-24.jpg?itok=5thxvND3)