Ottawa Journal (May 11 – May 15, 2021)
David Tilson, M.P.
Every day, there are more and more ways families can save money on their home energy costs through advanced energy efficiency. The problem is, many Canadian families feel hesitant about making the investment to improve their homes because of tough times created by the downturn of the global economy.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Conservative government is investing in communities to create jobs and stimulate local businesses. Part of this action is to help homeowners keep money in their pockets. Families in Dufferin-Caledon are poised to save big, thanks to our Government’s recently announced expansion of the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program.
The first come, first served program, is being expanded by $300 million, so that more homeowners will be able to take advantage of the benefits. The ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program provides grants of up to $5,000 to homeowners who want to make energy efficient upgrades to their homes. These can include simple changes such as air sealing windows and doors, replacing furnaces and water heaters, upgrading insulation, or installing a low flush toilet.
The ecoENERGY grants also give a boost to local communities and businesses. The grants put money in the pockets of homeowners and help them decrease their monthly costs, saving up to $500 a year on their energy bills. Furthermore, the program is helping to create new jobs, as more and more Canadians are taking the opportunity to improve their homes. In fact, based on estimates that Canadians will spend $10 for every $1 they receive through the grant, it’s believed that the changes to the ecoENERGY Retrofit — Homes program will create and protect jobs for Canadians and generate about $2.4 billion in economic activity.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan also includes the Home Renovation Tax Credit, which gives Canadians a 15% income tax credit on home improvement projects between $1,000 and $10,000. This can be combined with the ecoENERGY retrofit program, to give homeowners even greater savings.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is investing in communities to create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and help lower homeowners’ costs, now and into the future.