The closure of the Canada Greener Homes Grant has taken a sudden and accelerated path. Originally expected to accept new applications until the end of February, recent developments have hastened its end, leaving homeowners and organizations that support energy-related upgrades scrambling to adapt to the new reality.
On January 19th, just over a month before the previously announced end date, Enbridge, the program’s Ontario delivery partner, made the announcement that all service organizations must pause new bookings for home energy audits. This decision effectively put a halt to the process of qualifying for the Greener Homes Grant, catching many off guard and leaving homeowners with little information to go on.
The Final Deadline: February 5th, 2024
On Monday February 5, 2024, NRCan and Enbridge officially confirmed the closure of the program for Ontario residents would be effective end of day on February 5, 2024. Consequently, homeowners in Ontario who had audits scheduled after this date are now ineligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant.
Despite the loan program component of the Greener Homes initiative remaining operational, the sudden closure of the grant program has dealt a significant blow to efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canadian homes.
What This Means for Home Energy Upgrades
The closure of the grant program means missed opportunities for homeowners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades, reducing their carbon footprint and saving money. Grants provided many homeowners with a financial incentive to complete energy upgrades, support climate change efforts and benefit from lower energy bills and improved comfort.
It’s worth noting that while the grant program may have ended, the loan component remains viable. Homeowners can still access up to $40,000 in zero interest financing for eligible energy-efficient upgrades, with a qualifying Energuide audit.
NRCan is developing a new program, as outlined in this recent news release. This initiative will concentrate on assisting lower-income households and is expected to receive approval for funding in the upcoming March Budget. Enbridge is also expected to release a new program, though details are not available at this time.
We are dedicated to keeping you informed as updates become available.
How You Can Help
Despite this setback, Green Venture remains focused on supporting deep retrofits and energy efficiency progress. Please speak up and advocate for the reinstatement of grants or creation of similar initiatives.
If you’re passionate about preserving the momentum of the Greener Homes Grant to support energy efficiency, there are several ways you can make a difference:
- Contact Your Representatives: Reach out to your local and federal representatives to express your disappointment over the closure of the Greener Homes Grant and urge them to support initiatives that promote energy efficiency and climate resilience. You can join the letter-writing campaign here.
- Spread Awareness: Share information about the impact of the Greener Homes Grant and the importance of energy-efficient retrofits on social media platforms and in your community. Education is key to mobilizing support for meaningful change.
- Support Green Initiatives: Consider supporting organizations like Green Venture that are dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
