Ottawa earmarks $29M for energy retrofits for Manitoba households

Manitoba homeowners and renters will be the first to benefit from a new federal program to reduce — and for some, eliminate — the cost of energy retrofits.

Federal environment and natural resources ministers Julie Dabrusin and Tim Hodgson joined provincial officials in Winnipeg’s Chalmers neighbourhood Friday to announce $29 million for Efficiency Manitoba under the greener homes affordability program.

“The way we heat, cool and power our homes impacts our environment, our wallets and the comfort of our daily lives,” Hodgson said, adding that 7,000 modest-income households in Manitoba would have access to no-cost energy retrofits.

“That will make their energy bills hundreds of dollars cheaper, their homes more comfortable and their carbon footprint smaller,” he said.

The funds will allow Efficiency Manitoba to cover the cost of geothermal heat-pump installation, insulation upgrades and other retrofits for low- and middle-income families, Efficiency Manitoba CEO Colleen Kuruluk said Friday.

The Crown corporation administers more than 40 programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, including income-based subsidies for home energy efficiency upgrades. About 40 per cent of Manitoba households are eligible for the program. With the new funding, it is the first federally supported home energy program to be available to renters as well as homeowners.

“We need Manitobans to invest in energy efficiency to help us achieve a clean energy future and net-zero emissions with an efficiency-first approach,” Kuruluk said.

“This means saving energy before building new supply, while simultaneously lowering costs for families, creating green jobs, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.”

While the greener homes affordability program is reaching Manitobans first, the federal government intends to roll out similar initiatives in the coming year through partnerships with provincial and local governments, and grassroots organizations. Funds will also be provided to Indigenous governments and organizations. Each initiative, Hodgson said, will be tailored to the community’s needs and priorities.

Manitoba Environment Minister Mike Moyes said the program builds on the NDP government’s affordable energy plan, which offers financial support to Manitobans looking to switch to geothermal heat pumps — a low-emission heating and cooling system that uses underground coolant loops to store and redistribute heat.

The energy used to heat, cool and power buildings accounts for about one-third of Canada’s carbon emissions.

“Each retrofitted home becomes a small but vital part of Canada’s overall commitment to fighting climate change,” Environment Minister Dabrusin said.

“By investing in energy efficiency, we deliver greener neighbourhoods, cleaner air and build the climate competitive economy of the future.”

Julia-Simone Rutgers is a reporter covering environmental issues in Manitoba. Her position is part of a partnership between The Narwhal and the Winnipeg Free Press.