Dave Braden

Dave M. Braden (born 1950) is a Canadian business man, home builder, farmer, environmentalist and politician. Mr. Braden has several businesses, all of which have focused on energy conservation and environmental protection. His construction business builds only energy efficient houses that exceed all industry and government standards. Dave lives in one of the most energy efficient houses in Canada; it makes its own electricity and requires no furnace. His homes have been featured in major Canadian media outlets and have received national press. His current home is among the top energy savers in North America. In agriculture, he has developed a beef cattle operation that is far less dependent on fossil fuel inputs than conventionally raised cattle. Mr. Braden is a problem solver who applies innovative thinking to many of the challenges facing all Canadians.
Energy Efficient Home-Building
Dave Braden's building approach, adapted from the Saskatchewan Conservation House of the late 1970s, focuses on building houses that are ecological, economic, and efficient.
Mr. Braden has built a house that requires no furnace. His home meets electricity needs with a wind turbine and solar panels in his side yard. His family home, perhaps the most efficient in Canada, brings together a most advanced, affordable and efficient house, with off-the-grid electrical generation. It is often referred to as the "no furnace, off-the-grid house." The house is open regularly for public tours, arranged by Environment Hamilton, where a complete explanation of the theory, practice, products and costs of the house are provided absolutely free of charge.
Farming
Dave Braden has run an organic beef operation for 36 years that produces finished beef directly off grass with no drugs, hormones or grain.
Other Businesses
Through his company, Greening Motors Ltd., David Braden is also directly involved in a cross-country distribution network for the sale of fully approved, electric only automobiles. He is maintaining a list of interested parties for fleet and private purchases for future development.
Dave also works as a consultant to non-profit organizations, for distant projects and for individuals wanting to build their own homes. He is a personal speaker with extensive experience in green activities, especially for housing, urban planning and agriculture. His speaking engagements combine practical experience, motivation and confidence, particularly in the area of energy challenges.
Politics
Mr. Braden was first elected at the municipal level as a Ward Councilor in the former Town of Flamborough in 1991. He was re-elected for four terms as Councilor, Regional Councilor and Deputy Mayor and was then elected to two terms as Councilor in the newly amalgamated City of Hamilton from 2000 to 2006. He is currently a member-at-large of the Halton-Hamilton Source Water Protection Committee and director at large for Environment Hamilton.
In January, 2011, Dave Braden was nominated to run as the Liberal Candidate for the next Canadian Federal election in the riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale. The next Federal election will be held May 2, 2011.
Education
Dave was educated in Canada, United States and Europe. He has a B.A. in Urban Planning from Antioch College and a M.Sc. from the University of Toronto. In the 1990s, he was pursuing his Ph.D. in Rural Planning from the University of Waterloo, before becoming elected Councilor.
Personal
Dave and his wife Cathy live in Flamborough, Ontario. He has four children, two stepchildren and seven grandchildren.

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