Helping people make their homes more energy-efficient helps combat climate change while creating decent jobs and saving money on their monthly energy costs. In May 2021, the Canadian government announced the Canada Greener Houses Grant, which will assist up to 700,000 Canadian households in upgrading their homes.
On behalf of the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a total investment of over $4.2 million for eight organizations today. Helping This grant will assist in the recruitment, training, and mentoring of up to 690 new energy advisers across Canada and the upskilling of up to 110 existing advisors. It’s part of a more significant $10 million request for bids to train up to 2,000 more energy experts.
What Are the Included Investments?
These federal funds will help fund energy advisor training programs that will help individuals, including those from underrepresented groups, pass the necessary exams to become energy advisors. They will also provide candidates and newly registered energy advisers with practical hands-on training and mentorship opportunities.
Among the investments are:
- $1.15 million to SaskPower in Regina, Saskatchewan
- $681,000 to Thunder Bay’s Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology
- $675,000 to NorQuest College in Edmonton, Alberta
- $624,000 to the Government of Yukon in Whitehorse, Yukon
- $359,000 to Toronto’s Canadian Institute for Energy Training
- $300,000 to Ecotrust Canada in Prince Rupert, British Columbia
- $227,000 to EnviroCentre in Ottawa, Ontario
What Do Energy Advisors Do?
The Canada Greener Homes Grant relies heavily on energy exports. An energy adviser must conduct a pre-retrofit and post-retrofit EnerGuide home energy evaluation to ensure that retrofits increase a house’s energy efficiency and that homeowners are aware of their retrofit alternatives. The Greener Homes initiative’s enormous success has resulted in great demand for new energy advisors, with over 180,000 people applying in just under a year.
According to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency measures may get the globe one-third of the way to the Paris 2030 targets and help us reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Because buildings, including our homes, account for 18 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, upgrading existing homes — with the assistance of highly experienced energy advisers — is one of the most effective ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
More About this Initiative
This request for proposals is part of a $10 million commitment to hire, train, and mentor up to 2,000 new energy advisors across the country to support the Canada Greener Homes Grant, which will provide up to 700,000 grants of up to $5,000 each to help homeowners make energy-efficient home improvements, with an EnerGuide evaluation. An EnerGuide home audit provides homeowners with a greater understanding of how their home currently consumes energy and recommendations for energy-saving upgrades.
This strategy also allows for developing an energy efficiency workforce that is more representative of Canada’s population. Women, Indigenous Peoples, those with disabilities, LGBTQ2 communities, and racialized Canadians are targeted in today’s call for ideas, which emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion. New energy advisors will assist fulfill the demand for EnerGuide evaluations and ensure that all Canadians, regardless of geography, have prompt access to them. With guidance geared to their unique situations, they will assist Canadians in making adjustments to their houses that will provide the best return on their investment. According to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency measures may help the world get one-third of the way to its Paris 2030 targets and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Because buildings, including our homes, account for 18 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, upgrading existing homes — with the assistance of highly experienced energy advisers — is one of the most effective ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Facts to Notice
- To participate in the program, homeowners must first apply for eligibility through Natural Resources Canada’s Greener Homes portal, after which they will be connected with a service organization to complete a pre-retrofit home evaluation, which is an essential step in informing homeowners about the best retrofit options for their specific situation.
- A post-retrofit review is undertaken after homeowners have completed a recommended retrofit, and NRCan processes payment of the grant to the recipient.
- The campaign has received over 150,000 direct applications, with up to 50,000 homeowners in Quebec and Nova Scotia potentially qualifying and participating in partner programs. In just the first year of its seven-year existence, the Greener Homes project has received submissions for almost 25% of its targeted grants.
- Buildings, including residences, account for 18 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, programs like these are critical to the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while creating long-term jobs in every region.
- By 2026, the Canada Greener Homes project is estimated to reduce emissions by up to 1.5 megatonnes per year, generating over 110,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country, adding to the more than 436,000 direct jobs generated by the energy efficiency sector in 2018.
- The Discover EE Hub, an online platform to enable Canadians to get involved in the energy efficiency market and become energy consultants, has been supported by the federal government. Efficiency Canada collaborated in the design and operation of the hub.
Quotes
“Investing in more energy advisors will guarantee that the Canada Greener Homes Grant is delivered successfully, but it will also create long-term, high-quality jobs in communities across the country. Retrofitting homes and buildings is critical work for Canadians who want to save money on their energy bills, reduce emissions, and achieve a net-zero economy by 2050.”
-The Right Honorable Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson
“Our government is proud to support eight projects across the country to enhance the number of energy advisors available. These experts assist homeowners in better understanding their home’s energy efficiency and suggest retrofits to reduce energy consumption and utility expenditures. It is how we will achieve net zero emissions and create the employment of the future.”
-Julie Dabrusin is the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change’s Parliamentary Secretary.
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