Ottawa is relaunching a program aimed at assisting Canadians in making home improvements, with a specific focus on individuals facing financial constraints. The newly revamped initiative, now known as the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP), aims to support low- to median-income households in reducing their energy expenses and carbon emissions through no-cost home retrofits. Under this program, renters are also eligible for assistance without any upfront expenses.
The CGHAP will adopt a “direct-install” approach where selected organizations will manage all aspects and expenses related to planning and executing home retrofits to enhance energy efficiency. Eligible upgrades may include insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, solar panels, windows, and doors. Unlike the previous iteration, the updated program will be administered by provinces and territories instead of Natural Resources Canada.
Recently, Ottawa announced that Manitoba, in partnership with Efficiency Manitoba, will oversee the program for Manitobans. The federal government has allocated $29.8 million in funding until 2030, with the province matching this contribution. While details are scarce, Efficiency Manitoba has confirmed that only insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps qualify for the program in Manitoba, excluding solar panels. However, other retrofit options are available through provincial initiatives.
Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson emphasized the importance of local delivery in enabling Canadians to access these programs efficiently. Manitoba’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Mike Moyes, highlighted that the program aligns with the province’s commitment to reducing energy costs and carbon footprints. Manitoba, known for its predominantly renewable energy sources, encourages residents to undertake home retrofits such as insulation and heat pump installations at no expense.
The CGHAP succeeds the Greener Homes Grant program, which initially launched in 2021, offering homeowners financial incentives for energy-efficient retrofits and evaluations. The program, valued at $2.6 billion, unexpectedly concluded in early 2024, prompting criticisms from stakeholders. Building emissions accounted for 13% of Canada’s total emissions in 2023, positioning it as a significant contributor to the country’s carbon footprint. To combat this, Canada aims to reduce building emissions by 37% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin have expressed their commitment to meeting climate goals for 2030 and 2035, with plans to provide updates on emission reduction strategies in the near future.