Today, the provincial and federal governments announced $89.4 million in joint funding for the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund to support Newfoundland and Labrador’s climate action programs. Over $44 million is being provided over the next four years by each level of government to support programs and projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this province.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Premier Ball was joined by the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, Government of Canada; the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation; the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works; and the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for St. John’s West. By 2030, the programs developed under the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund to date are expected to deliver 776,000 tonnes of cumulative greenhouse gas emissions reductions and 187 direct persons years of employment.
The first two programs announced are the expansion of the Home Energy Savings Program and the Energy Efficiency and Fuel Switching in Public Buildings Program.
The Provincial Government is providing over $6.4 million and the Federal Government is providing over $2.1 million through the Low Carbon Economy Fund to expand the Home Energy Savings Program. The program, administered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, assists low-income homeowners by providing grants of up to $5,000 to help reduce energy costs. Through this funding, the program has now been expanded to include assistance for low-income homeowners who are using alternate heating sources such as propane, diesel or wood biomass; those reliant on electricity heating will continue to be eligible as well. Additional information is provided in the backgrounder below.
Over $4.37 million has been allocated by the Provincial Government, which will be matched by the Federal Government for a combined investment of approximately $8.75 million to the Energy Efficiency and Fuel Switching in Public Buildings Program over four years (2018-2022). This program will be administered through the Department of Transportation and Works and will promote energy efficiency and fuel switching initiatives in government owned and operated buildings, including post-secondary institutions.
Additional information on both programs is provided in the backgrounder below.
The announcement of the bilateral agreement for the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the economy and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Our government is pleased to collaborate with the Federal Government to leverage over $44 million to improve energy efficiency and promote fuel switching to renewable electricity in our province, which will help lower fuel bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase demand for clean, renewable energy. As part of The Way Forward we are maximizing federal funding opportunities, and through the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, residents of Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit from more than $89 million over the next four years to address climate change and grow the green economy.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Newfoundland and Labrador is taking the lead in tackling climate change and pricing pollution. That’s why Canada is working with the province in funding programs that offer concrete solutions to reducing carbon pollution. These two programs will help residents of Newfoundland and Labrador retrofit their homes and public buildings, save money in energy costs, and reduce carbon pollution.”
Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada
“We are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our province and the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund is another step to assist residents, businesses and communities to make changes to secure a sustainable future. These initiatives are possible by forging strong partnerships with our federal counterparts, and our government continues to work on additional programs to benefit everyone in our province.”
Honourable Graham Letto
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
“We are extremely pleased to partner with the Federal Government to expand the Home Energy Savings Plan, which will enable us to assist over 800 households to reduce their heating costs through energy efficient improvements, during this fiscal year. Today’s $6.4 million investment also reflects the province’s continued commitment to reducing provincial greenhouse gas emissions while balancing environmental and economic priorities.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on yet another important initiative for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We will continue to work together to provide even more efficient and environmentally-friendly public buildings for the benefit of taxpayers throughout our province.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Transportation and Works
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Learn more
Low Carbon Economy Fund
Government of Canada – Low Carbon Economy Fund 
Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
Media contacts
Jason Card
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
Caroline Thériault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
613-462-5473
caroline.theriault2@canada.ca
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Rod Drover
Transportation and Works
709-729-1758, 730-4607
rodcdrover@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Home Energy Savings Program
The Home Energy Savings Program is supported by approximately $8.75 million over four years (2018-2022) cost-shared 50/50 with the Federal Government to expand the program to include oil-heated homes.
The program, delivered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will provide grants of up to $5,000 for low-income households to complete cost-effective home upgrades, including insulation and air sealing. Applications are now being accepted.
The Home Energy Savings Program is open to existing homes. Eligible households using electricity or oil as their primary heating source must provide proof of their annual consumption. Effective immediately, primary-residence households that rely on electricity to heat their homes, but consume less than 15,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, or use wood biomass or propane for space heating will also be eligible. The program defines households with low incomes as those with an annual income less than $32,500.
During 2019, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will be able to assist approximately 450 oil-heat clients (1,000 +litres of oil annually) and 375 clients who heat their homes with electricity, propane or wood biomass.
Energy Efficiency and Fuel Switching in Public Buildings Program
The program supports energy efficiency and fuel switching in existing public buildings that rely on fossil fuels for space heating. The program will reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and improve energy efficiency in public sector buildings.
The program is supported by approximately $8.75 million over four years (2018-2022) cost-shared 50/50 with the Federal Government. Budget 2018 allocated $1.3 million to the Department of Transportation and Works to begin implementation of the program.