A Retrofit Economy that Cuts Pollution and Creates Jobs

The more energy efficient we can make our homes and buildings, the lower our monthly bills are and the less we pollute.

In order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, we have to retrofit almost every building in Canada. This presents a real opportunity to kickstart a vibrant retrofit economy, with good middle class jobs in all our communities.

A re-elected Liberal government will:

  • Continue to help Canadians improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy bills, providing grants of up to $5,000 for home retrofits and interest-free loans of up to $40,000 for deep retrofits.
  • Launch a National Net-zero Emissions Building Strategy, which will chart a path to net-zero emissions from buildings by 2050 with ambitious milestones along the way.
  • Accelerate the development of the national net-zero emissions model building code for 2025 adoption.
  • Accelerate the transition from fossil fuel-based heating systems to electrification through incentives and standards, including investing $250 million to help low-income Canadians get off home-heating oil.
  • Require EnerGuide labeling of homes at the time of sale.
  • Create a Low-Carbon Building Materials Innovation Hub to work directly with entrepreneurs, municipalities, provinces and territories, and Indigenous governments to ensure Canadian innovations are best positioned to succeed.
  • Enhance investments in the Forest Industry Transformation program, working with partners to create jobs in the forest-based economy and bring forward new innovations in sustainable, low-carbon building materials.
  • Launch a community-led net-zero homes initiative that supports projects that pursue multiple concurrent retrofits in a community or neighbourhood, to reduce overall costs. This initiative will be modeled on the Dutch “Energiesprong” program.