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, diesel, 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, diesel, 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.
The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, attended the John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s official opening of Garrison Place in St. John’s today.
Garrison Place, a new 10-unit supportive housing facility assisting individuals experiencing or most at risk of homelessness, is funded through an equally cost-shared $1.25 million investment by the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
This project also received an additional $100,000 for programming and services space through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s Provincial Homelessness Fund, and $232,475 from the Federal Government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
Quotes
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to continue working closely with the Government of Canada and dedicated community-based partners, such as the John Howard Society, to ensure we are achieving better outcomes for the people of the province. For individuals who find themselves at risk of homelessness, access to safe, affordable housing options with support services can help them achieve greater stability and focus on their overall health and well-being.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Our government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in this project in St. John’s. These new supported bachelor units are more than just safe and affordable places to live, they are key to a better life for the residents who will call them home.”
Nick Whalen
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
“The John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador truly appreciates its partnerships with the Federal and Provincial Governments and the funding they’ve provided for Garrison Place. This new facility will enable the Society to provide 10 permanent, affordable and supportive housing units to some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals who have experienced homelessness or who are at risk for homelessness.”
Bryan Purcell
President, John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
– 30 –
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation – www.nlhc.nl.ca
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – cmhc.ca
Learn More
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing
Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Michelle Hunt-Grouchy
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-5148, 682-6593
michellehuntgrouchy@gov.nl.ca
Michael Brewster
Office of Minister Duclos
613-220-5956
michael.brewster@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Public Affairs
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
514-283-3679
mlaplant@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Cindy Murphy
John Howard Society of NL
709-726-5540
cmurphy@jhsnl.ca
The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada have provided conditional approval to 10 private and three non-profit sector groups to develop 93 new affordable housing units throughout the province, including 13 fully accessible units.
These new homes will be supported by a $6 million cost-shared federal-provincial investment through an extension to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2014-19.
The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment and MHA for Burgeo – La Poile, made the announcement today.
This $6 million investment will bring the total of new affordable units created through the cost-shared Federal/Provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement spanning 2003-2019 to approximately 1,700.
A list of the conditionally-approved projects can be viewed in the backgrounder below.
Initiatives such as this deliver on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation 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
“This significant investment shows our government’s continued commitment to expanding affordable and accessible housing options and to working with our non-profit and private-sector partners throughout the province to help achieve that goal. These new projects will provide persons with disabilities, families, single individuals and independent seniors greater opportunity to find the right housing for their needs.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Today’s announcement is wonderful news for the Port aux Basques area. We look forward with great anticipation for the official opening of the new housing development. The facility will accommodate a range of occupant needs and enable tenants to continue living in their own community close to family and friends.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
MHA for Burgeo – La Poile
“The Gateway Village Corporation is very pleased to be one of the non-profit proponents to receive funding through the Investment in Affordable Housing Program Initiative. This funding will enable the Town of Channel-Port Aux Basques to provide much needed homes in the region for the community’s most vulnerable citizens. There are many interested and eligible applicants with low incomes who will be excited to hear that affordable rental units will be available in the near future.”
Melvin Keeping
Chairperson, Gateway Village Corporation
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Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation – www.nlhc.nf.ca
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL, and @nlhousing
Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Kristina George
Government Members Office
709-729-5306, 709-693-7488
kristinageorge@gov.nl.ca
Todd Strickland
Gateway Village Corporation
709-695-0602
tstrickland@portauxbasques.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Private and Non-Profit Sector Affordable Housing Projects Funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2014-19
| Private Sector Affordable Housing Projects | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Proponent | Units | Location | Funding |
| E &W Enterprises Ltd. | 6 | Victoria | $ 240,000 |
| Scott’s Construction Ltd. | 5 | Conception Bay South | $ 200,000 |
| Talamh an Eisc. Const. Controls Inc. | 6 | Bonavista | $ 240,000 |
| KMR Transport Ltd. | 8 | Fogo Island | $ 320,000 |
| Spruce Ridge Properties Ltd. | 6 | Port Blandford | $ 240,000 |
| Triple A Investments Ltd. | 8 | Grand Falls-Windsor | $ 320,000 |
| Peter Farr Holdings Ltd. | 8 | Summerford | $ 320,000 |
| JMAK Holdings Ltd. | 8 | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $ 440,000 |
| C&T Enterprises Ltd. | 8 | Forteau | $ 440,000 |
| Grand Fairways Resort Inc. | 6 | Burin | $ 240,000 |
| Sub-total | 69 | $3,000,000 | |
| Non-Profit Sector Affordable Housing Projects | |||
| Masonic Park | 8 | Mount Pearl | $1,000,000 |
| Evangel Pentecostal Church | 8 | Gander | $1,000,000 |
| Gateway Village Corporation | 8 | Port aux Basques | $1,000,000 |
| Sub-total | 24 | $3,000,000 | |
| Total | 93 | $6,000,000 | |
The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), joined her provincial, territorial and federal colleagues and endorsed a multilateral Housing Partnership Framework at a meeting yesterday in Toronto.
Federal, provincial and territorial governments are primary partners in housing and have a shared responsibility and complementary roles for housing. This is why together, under the partnership, the federal, provincial and territorial governments will work together to help make housing more affordable and accessible: the Canada Housing Benefit, the Canada Community Housing Initiative, Provincial/Territorial Priority Funding, and funding for the northern territories.
As part of the partnership, it was agreed that governments will achieve better housing outcomes by sharing data and information that will make program development and delivery more effective, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and aligning housing policies and planning with other sectors to create effective housing solutions and vibrant communities.
Quote
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to endorse the multilateral partnership. Over the coming months we will work to reach an agreement with the Federal Government on a bi-lateral agreement to deliver our share of federal funding and align the National Housing Strategy and our forthcoming provincial housing and homelessness plan.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
– 30 –
Learn More:
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation – www.nlhc.nl.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL, and @nlhousing
Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
GinaMacarthur@gov.nl.ca
