OTTAWA, ON, May 17, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadians across the country want to reduce their home energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint by improving energy efficiency in their homes. The Government of Canada is helping them do that.
Today, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, launched a call for proposals to create good middle-class jobs through the federal government's $2.6 billion green retrofit program.
This call for proposals is a $10 million commitment to recruit, train, and mentor up to 2,000 new energy advisors across the country to support the Canada Greener Homes Grant, which will provide as many as 700,000 grants of up to $5,000 each to help homeowners make energy-efficient improvements to their homes, supported by an EnerGuide evaluation. An EnerGuide home evaluation gives homeowners a better understanding of how their home uses energy now – and identifies retrofits to help improve energy efficiency.
This initiative also provides the opportunity to build an energy efficiency workforce that more closely reflects Canada's population. Today's call for proposals underscores the need for diversity and inclusion by specifically targeting under-represented groups such as women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2 communities, and racialized Canadians.
New energy advisors will help meet demand for and provide access to timely EnerGuide evaluations for all Canadians, regardless of location. They will help Canadians make changes to their homes that deliver the greatest return for their investment with advice tailored to their specific situations.
Proposals must be received by July 8, 2021 and Natural Resources Canada will schedule webinars with potential applicants to answer any questions and provide additional support. Canadians with limited internet access can contact the dedicated call centre line at 1-833-674-8282.
According to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency measures could get the world one-third of the way toward its Paris 2030 targets and help us reach net-zero emissions by 2050. With buildings, including our homes, accounting for 18 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, retrofitting existing homes — with the help of highly trained energy advisors — is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Quotes
"Improving the energy efficiency of our homes is good for our wallets, good for the economy, and good for the planet. Today's call for proposals will help Canadians get the EnerGuide evaluations they need to make their homes more energy efficient."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr.
Minister of Natural Resources
"Today's announcement is about creating good quality job opportunities that help us build back a stronger, more resilient and inclusive economy. I am proud of the impact that this investment will have in getting more women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and racialized Canadians into the workforce. This investment takes an inclusive approach in helping us get closer to our climate goals and ensuring that all Canadians have access to the skills training they need to succeed in the labour market."
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
Associated Links
Greener Homes
How to make your home energy efficient?
Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy
Budget 2021
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Interest-free loans program
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6100, [email protected]; Ian Cameron, Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 613-447-3488, [email protected]
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