The governments of Canada and Nunavut announce investments in energy efficiency upgrades that help residents save energy and money

News release

September 10, 2018 – Gatineau, Quebec

The governments of Canada and Nunavut are working together to take action on climate change, helping residents save money while they improve energy efficiency.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced a federal investment of almost $12 million that will go toward energy efficiency retrofits for Nunavut’s public housing and the installation of new district heating systems in the communities of Sanikiluaq and Taloyoak.

Under the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, Nunavut is eligible to receive $31 million for programs that reduce carbon pollution and strengthen the economy.

Through the Nunavut Housing Corporation, housing retrofits will include new insulation, weather stripping, window and door replacements, as well as hot-water tank and furnace upgrades. These projects will result in improved air quality and reduced maintenance costs, and they will extend the lives of almost 1000 housing units.

The communities of Sanikiluaq and Taloyoak will benefit from new district heating systems that will help reduce the territory’s diesel-fuel consumption and cut carbon emissions. The new systems are designed to capture residual heat from power generation and provide space and hot-water heating to nearby commercial and institutional buildings. These systems will allow customers to save on energy costs and further extend the life of their heating equipment.

The Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund is providing $1.4 billion to provinces and territories that have adopted Canada’s clean growth and climate action plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework, to deliver on commitments to reduce carbon pollution, protect our environment, create well-paying jobs and strengthen Canada’s economy.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is working with the Government of Nunavut to put practical climate solutions into action. The investments today in energy efficiency programs will help residents of Nunavut make their homes and buildings more comfortable and save money on electricity bills while reducing carbon pollution. Together, they will help protect our environment and strengthen our economy today and for generations to come.”

– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Canada

“In the spirit of Pivaallirutivut, the Department of Environment is proud to work with the Department of Community and Government Services, Qulliq Energy Corporation and Nunavut Housing Corporation on delivering the Low Carbon Energy Fund to projects that improve our energy infrastructure for the long-term benefit of Nunavummiut.”

– Jeannie Ehaloak, Minister of Environment, Government of Nunavut

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will help make homes and buildings more energy efficient, comfortable and affordable to run.

  • The Nunavut Housing Corporation will oversee energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits of approximately 1000 of the 3300 public-housing units constructed prior to 2000.

  • Feasibility studies estimate that a new district heating system in Sanikiluaq will displace approximately 124 000 litres of fuel and 340 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and up to 174 000 litres of fuel and 480 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually in Taloyoak.

Associated links

Contacts

Caroline Thériault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
613-462-5473
caroline.theriault2@canada.ca

Peter Polanowski
A/Manager, Communications, Education and Outreach
Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment
867-975-7732
ppolanowski@gov.nu.ca

Renee Boucher
Acting Manager, Corporate Communications
Qulliq Energy Corporation
867-979-7524
rboucher@qec.nu.ca

Joshua Long
Senior Communications Officer
Nunavut Housing Corporation
jlong@gov.nu.ca
867-975-7203

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