A message from PBC President Kim Walton

“The light by which we see in this world comes out from the soul of the observer.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Normally I wouldn’t quote a brilliant 200-year-old philosopher and poet, but I am doing this today because while housecleaning I found a CD that I thought was lost a decade ago. I was looking for order, that is why I was cleaning. Instead, I found beautiful choral music with the Emerson quote on the cover jacket. I was delighted.

I have talked to a lot of people this past couple of weeks. There are so many ways to connect to people these days, but none of these magical meet-ups can replace the nuances of face to face conversations. I am lucky, I have people to talk to at home, and we are taking advantage of this opportunity. It’s a blessing.

There is a consistent message that I have heard from the people I have met with from across the country. Although we all are distracted by our new reality and the uncertainty of the near and far future, there is a calmness. Nothing is urgent anymore. We have the time to work at a leisurely pace. We have time to enjoy those that we are closest to. We are grateful for this pause. I am fortunate. I can pay my bills; I am healthy and so is my family.

I am optimistic. I live in a country filled with caring and decent people that look after each other. I may be optimistic, lucky, fortunate, delighted, and grateful but that does not compare to the powerful and positive light of the PBC Community.  You all have so much to share! Let’s take advantage of this time, make it an opportunity to learn what we can from each other.

Get your nerd on and binge on BOG videos. . .keep your hands clean.

Following COVID safety protocols we are cancelling (postponing) the next two Boots on the Ground events: Halifax in April and Montreal in May. We will reschedule these events for the future and keep you all posted. 

Recognizing that the situation may very well change we are currently still planning Boots on the Ground in Edmonton in August, Guelph,Ontario in September, Toronto in October and Muskoka Ontario in November. These events will only proceed if health agencies approve larger gatherings. 

As a reminder, we have plenty of videos (including BOG videos) on our Youtube channel (subscribe and get notified when new videos go up!). We have put together playlists to help folks find what they are looking for. 

You can see the most recent presentations from Toronto below!

In 2020 PBC was a founding sponsor of the Green Building Learning Zone (GBLZ) which "brings together architects, designers, builders, suppliers, educators, non-profits and consultants from the green building world who are all deeply committed to creating sustainable buildings and educating the public about their importance."  The GBLZ launched at the 2019 Green Living Show presenting over 40 booth talks on green building and talking to folks about how the sustainable building world. Due to COVID the Green Living Show did not go forward this year so the GBLZ gathered video of some of the booth talks we would have given.

You can see the collection here (some borrowed by PBC BOG events) and check out the presentation last year on passive house basics below: