Government of Manitoba : Canada Announces Support for Manitoba Energy-Efficiency Programs

January 29, 2021

Across the country, Canadians are taking action to tackle climate change in their communities even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is supporting projects across the country that cut pollution, help Canadians save on energy costs and create good jobs.

Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced approximately $32.3 million from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund to support natural gas reduction programs offered by Efficiency Manitoba, a new Crown corporation established by the government of Manitoba. These investments will reduce natural gas use and greenhouse-gas emissions by offering rebates and incentives for energy-efficient equipment and retrofit measures. The Province of Manitoba, through Efficiency Manitoba, is also contributing about $32.3 million into this project.

The combined investment by both governments will provide a significant boost to new energy-efficiency initiatives through Efficiency Manitoba. These will reduce the cost of living for Manitoba residents while reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and creating jobs and economic activity. The Efficiency Manitoba's Residential program is designed to reduce household natural gas consumption by providing customers with rebates, incentives and information to encourage them to make their homes more energy efficient. Eligible natural gas savings measures may include home insulation, smart thermostats, and furnace and boiler upgrades for the residential sector. Through this program, low-income and Indigenous residents will also be eligible to benefit from the measures at no cost.

The Efficiency Manitoba's Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural program includes rebates and incentives to support energy savings through natural gas reduction by doing mechanical upgrades of space or process heating systems, building envelope renovation improvements, and/or support upgrades or equipment for new buildings that achieve greater energy savings.

This funding comes from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, which invests in projects that reduce carbon pollution, save money and create good jobs. Over the lifetime of these programs, Efficiency Manitoba will enable the creation of 1,800 jobs and reduce GHG emissions by a cumulative amount of about 488,000 tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions-equivalent to removing approximately 150,000 passenger cars off the road for one year. This marks a significant contribution towards achieving Manitoba's Carbon Savings Account goals.

The Government of Canada will continue to work with the government of Manitoba to bring forward climate-change measures that have a positive impact on their communities and help Canada to exceed the 2030 target and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Canada's strengthened climate plan proposes steps to deliver emissions reduction across the country. These initiatives will help to make the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste.

Quotes

'The Government of Canada is proud to support innovative projects that reduce emissions and create good jobs. Today's announcement does just that, highlighting some of the important work Manitoba is doing to build a stronger economy and a healthier province. For the first time ever, Canada has a plan to not only meet, but exceed a climate target. By cutting pollution like energy waste from our homes and buildings, we are putting that plan into action and creating a cleaner, more prosperous future.' - The Honourable Jim Carr on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

'As Canada's cleanest electricity province, Manitoba knows the value of investing in energy efficiency. This joint investment under our Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan will reduce carbon emissions in households and businesses, and create clean energy jobs for Manitobans.'- Manitoba Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard

'Efficiency Manitoba has been created to provide energy and bill savings to Manitobans, along with resulting environmental benefits in the form of GHG emissions reductions. This announcement is great news for Manitobans with approximately 50 per cent of our natural gas energy-efficiency programs now being funded through Canada's Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. We look forward to our continued work with our private-sector delivery partners and local businesses to support Manitoba's economic recovery efforts while offering great opportunities for Manitobans to save.' - Colleen Kuruluk, chief executive officer, Efficiency Manitoba

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is supporting municipalities, Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses, universities, schools and hospitals in their important work to reduce pollution and create a cleaner, stronger and more competitive economy.
• Under the Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, Manitoba is eligible to receive up to $66.8 million for programs that reduce carbon pollution and strengthen the economy.
• The Manitoba Efficient Trucking Program received up to $5.9 million through the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund in March 2020.
• The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund can fund eligible projects until March 31, 2024.
• The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund is an important part of Canada's climate action plan, and it is helping put Canada on a path to meet and exceed the Paris Agreement target for 2030.

Associated Links

• www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/low-carbon-economy-fund.html
• www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/pan-canadian-framework.html
• www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
• https://efficiencymb.ca/
• www.gov.mb.ca/climateandgreenplan/index.html

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