Tooketree Passive Homes is an Ontario company dedicated to creating energy-efficient, sustainable buildings that meet Canada’s most rigorous health and environmental standards. From their factory in Muskoka, they manufacture their own high performance wall, floor, and roof panels, which they designed and developed in-house. Their prefabricated panels are sustainable, ecological, efficient, and durable – which is why they’re called SEED panels. Their panels are also built in a controlled environment, they can be installed quickly on site, and they result in significant energy savings – which means they are costeffective, both in the short-term and especially in the long-term. Melinda Zytaruk is one of the key minds behind SEED panels, as well as the CEO and president of Tooketree Passive Homes. She formed the company with her father, Rick Zytaruk, who now serves as CFO. Rick has extensive experience as a business consultant, while Melinda’s career has long centred around environmental, community, social, and economic sustainability. Melinda’s interest in sustainable building began when she went to school to be trained in renewable energy design and installation. While at that school, she also learned about natural building materials and passive solar design, which got her thinking holistically about buildings and about how to make them healthier at scale. Early on, she realized she wanted to help more than “just those who can afford fancy custom homes with solar panels” – she wanted to help as many people as possible achieve sustainable, comfortable, and durable homes and work spaces. Almost 20 years ago, Melinda started a construction renovation company with a few FEBRUARY 2026
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