- Canada introduces the $800 million Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) to boost energy efficiency, replacing existing grants.
- The program targets significant emission reductions from buildings, offering increased support for low-to-median-income households to adopt energy-efficient upgrades.
The Canadian government has unveiled its ambitious Canada Green Buildings Strategy, targeting significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which currently rank as the country’s third-largest emitter. It is aimed at slashing energy bills for Canadians. The strategy includes the $800 million Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP).
CGHAP replaces the Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) and offers enhanced support through a streamlined “direct install” approach managed by third parties. This initiative promises up to four times more assistance than its predecessor, supporting low-to-median-income households in making energy-efficient upgrades at no cost.
Already, the CGHG has benefited nearly 240,000 homeowners with grants averaging over $4,000 each, enabling upgrades such as heat pumps and insulation. Participating households are set to save up to $400 annually on energy bills while cutting their carbon footprint by 1.18 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Furthermore, the CGHAP includes measures to facilitate the transition to electric heat pumps, potentially saving homes using oil heating systems between $1,500 and $4,500 annually. The government plans to phase out oil heating systems in new constructions by 2028, supported by a regulatory framework that considers regional energy needs and infrastructure limitations.
The Canada Green Buildings Strategy, unveiled as part of the 2024 Budget, aims to make energy-efficient home improvements more accessible and impactful for Canadians, marking a significant step toward a greener future.