MONTREAL — Rachel Doran, executive director at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the federal government’s announced expansion of the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program:
“The expansion of the Canada Greener Home Affordability Program (CGHAP) to four additional provinces is an important step to help Canadians in low- and medium-income households across the country unlock lower utility bills, more comfortable homes, and emissions reductions.
“Clean Energy Canada welcomes this announcement and delivery of this program in British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island as a step in the Government of Canada’s broader commitment to electrify one million Canadian households.”
“Recently published analysis by Clean Energy Canada found that households can cut their energy bills by as much as $285 per month by making efficient electric upgrades to their homes. Savings are highest for households that switch away from less efficient electric technologies like baseboards or oil heating.
“In a recent survey, 60% of Canadians said that energy bills had been a financial burden for them over the past year. At the same time, only 69% of Canadians currently describe their dwelling condition as acceptable. By supporting clean energy and efficiency retrofits at no cost to households, the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program can address both of these pressing issues, tackling energy poverty and improving the quality of living for families.
“The federal government has clearly learned from the Greener Homes Grant, which helped over 400,000 households make clean energy upgrades to their homes but left some facing barriers due to upfront costs and long reimbursement wait times. The direct-install model of the CGHAP for an estimated 35,000 low to medium income households will help those households that need it most unlock the gains from energy efficiency without financial or logistical barriers.
“We encourage governments across the country to continue efforts to provide broad-based support to adopt cost-saving clean energy technologies for all households. A broad-based support program could deliver low-interest financing through partners that can reach households when they’re already making decisions about their homes, such as when they are replacing a broken heating or cooling system or completing renovations.
“Electrifying Canadian households can help ensure we’re using energy efficiently, saving Canadians money on their energy bills and promoting our own energy security.”