New initiative to help homeowners cut their energy bills and emissions and keep the local economy moving

The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) today launched the next step in their shared mission to support local programs that help Canadians retrofit their homes to higher energy standards—driving cost-saving energy efficiency and renewable energy in communities across Canada.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and FCM President Bill Karsten announced the second phase of the new Community Efficiency Financing initiative funded by the Government of Canada as part of its 950-million investment in the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), delivered by FCM to municipalities on behalf of the federal government.

The $300-million Community Efficiency Financing initiative helps municipalities and their partners implement innovative local financing programs that directly help homeowners cut their greenhouse gas emissions and make their homes more comfortable and affordable while helping keep the local economy moving.

The initiative encourages innovation through a bottom-up approach to local program design, offering applicants the opportunity to study and design programs tailored to local priorities and contexts. These programs for low-rise residential properties may build on approaches such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and utility on-bill financing.

Starting today, municipalities and partners in early stages of program development will be able to access grants for studies intended to support communities through the decision-making process of the program design phase. These grants will help municipalities evaluate approaches for implementing innovative financing programs within the local context.