Minister Vandal Announces Funding for New Indigenous Energy Advisors

News release

December 6, 2022               Ottawa, Ontario             Natural Resources Canada

Helping people make their homes more energy-efficient fights climate change and creates sustainable jobs, all while supporting Canadians to save on their monthly energy bills. That’s why the Government of Canada launched the Canada Greener Homes Initiative in May 2021 to help up to 700,000 Canadian homeowners retrofit their homes.

Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of $563,323 to Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) to recruit up to 15 Indigenous participants to become licensed and registered EnerGuide energy advisors. 

To support a broad range of communities, Indigenous Clean Energy will focus on recruiting individuals who work for various regional Indigenous organizations from each province and territory. Participants will also receive enhanced training specific to the needs of the Indigenous communities they will serve.

The Canada Greener Homes Initiative is delivered by a network of certified energy advisors who help homeowners discover their retrofit options to improve energy efficiency, from installing heat pumps to resealing windows. Advisors also deliver a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. Working with an energy advisor to undertake a pre-retrofit evaluation under the grant is the first step in accessing the $40,000 available interest-free under the loan.

Since the program launched, the Canada Greener Homes Initiative has issued $106 million in grants to almost 28,000 homeowners. More than 90 percent of homeowners receive their grants within 40 business days of the program reviewing their receipts and other required documents.

According to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency measures could get the world one-third of the way toward the Paris 2030 targets and help us reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

With collaboration at the federal, provincial and territorial levels, along with nation-to-nation partnerships like the one with Indigenous Clean Energy, the upcoming Canada Green Buildings Strategy, as well as programs like the Greener Homes Initiative, will create sustainable jobs across Canada and move us toward a resilient, net-zero emissions buildings sector by 2050.

Quotes

“Our government recognizes that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 means making homes and businesses more energy-efficient — a key part of getting there is ensuring enough certified energy advisors in every community across the country. With today’s announcement, we are supporting Indigenous Clean Energy in recruiting up to 15 Indigenous participants to become certified energy advisors. This investment provides economic opportunity and skills development and training while at the same time taking real climate action in local communities.”

The Honourable Dan Vandal

Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

“The Canada Greener Homes Initiative is expanding across the country, including in Indigenous communities. Today’s investment with Indigenous Clean Energy will provide sustainable jobs for Indigenous peoples across Canada as certified energy advisors. With buildings — including homes — accounting for 18 percent of Canada's emissions, initiatives like this are an important step toward achieving our ambitious climate goals while creating sustainable jobs in every region of the country.” 

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Natural Resources

“Indigenous Clean Energy is excited to be part of this initiative and train Indigenous Energy Advisors who understand the unique needs of their communities. By creating this capacity, more Indigenous communities will have access to the energy efficiency expertise that is needed to make decisions around housing that will lead to healthier housing conditions with reduced utility bills through energy efficiency actions. Indigenous communities are ready to take energy efficiency into their own hands.” 

Kayla Fayant

Energy Advisor Program Manager at Indigenous Clean Energy

Associated links

Contacts

Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Keean Nembhard

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Natural Resources

613-323-7892

keean.nembhard@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca

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