CEAA: Federal budget reconfirms commitment to clean energy and green infrastructure

According to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency must be 49 percent of the climate change solution to meet the 2030 agreement. Energy efficiency creates more jobs, and more diverse jobs, than all other energy options.

According to a recent NRCan study, efficiency programs could generate 60,000 net new jobs by 2019, and double that after 15 years.

The 2017 federal budget also supports major green infrastructure projects through a Green Infrastructure Bank. It states,

"To advance Canada's efforts to build a clean economy, the government will invest $21.9 billion in green infrastructure, including initiatives that will support the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Funding will flow through three distinct streams: integrated bilateral agreements, the Canada Infrastructure Bank and a series of national programs."

The budget allocates $220 million to reduce the reliance of remote and Arctic communities on diesel fuel. In line with CEEA's recommendations on the Pan-Canadian Climate Framework, $182 million has been set aside for the retrofit of existing buildings and to the building of new, near net-zero consumption buildings across Canada.

Improved social housing is a major goal for the federal government and it is investing $11.2 billion over 11 years in affordable housing. Based on what has happened in Europe, and discussions CEEA has had with CMHC and provincial and municipal governments across Canada, we know that energy efficiency will play a critical role in retrofitting.

CEEA sees great opportunity in Budget 2017 as the government has backed its policy initiatives with dollars. We appreciate this commitment and look forward to working with the government as it implements these critical initiatives.