OTTAWA — The federal government is expanding the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program to Quebec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, extending a program designed to help lower- and middle-income households install energy-saving upgrades at no upfront cost.
The announcement, made at the International Energy Agency‘s Global Energy Efficiency Conference in Montreal, adds the four provinces to an existing partnership with Manitoba.
More than $500 million in funding, including $300 million from the federal government, will support energy retrofits for more than 35,000 households. Eligible participants will receive upgrades such as heat pumps, insulation improvements and air sealing measures through partnerships with provincial governments and utilities including Hydro-Québec, BC Hydro, FortisBC and EfficiencyOne.
The federal government estimates participating households could save between $300 and $1,700 annually on energy costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 1.5 tonnes per home each year.
“Energy bills are too high and too volatile for many Canadians,” said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson. “The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program will help Canadian families save money, strengthen our energy systems and continue to make Canada a clean energy superpower.”
Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said home retrofits remain one of the most practical ways to reduce both household costs and emissions.
“Retrofitting homes is one of the most effective and simplest ways to lower energy costs and reduce emissions,” she said. “By working with provinces, utilities and communities across the country, we are making it easier and more affordable for Canadians to participate in climate action.”
Hydro-Québec said the partnership will provide 20,000 Quebec households with free heat pumps.
“Every customer should be able to benefit from technologies that enable more efficient electricity use and thus lower their bills,” said Hydro-Québec President and CEO Claudine Bouchard. “This initiative will improve their quality of life and contribute to more efficient use of our precious energy.”
The expansion comes as governments look to reduce pressure on electricity systems while lowering consumer energy costs. According to the federal government, more than 293,000 heat pumps have been installed with federal support since 2020, while homes retrofitted through the Canada Greener Homes Grant are saving an average of $386 annually on energy bills.
The government has also committed, through its forthcoming National Electricity Strategy, to support energy-saving retrofits for up to one million households across Canada.
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