Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a $5-million investment to fully fund the Deep Retrofit Challenge, which will enable energy efficiency in buildings across the City of Toronto. Approximately 10–16 deep energy retrofit projects will be supported in multi-unit residential and commercial buildings, such as the installation of heat pumps in mid-rise apartments. The Deep Retrofit Challenge will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent in each sub-project, improve the quality of living for residents and contribute to the nationwide development of new and retrofitted green buildings.

“Our government supports energy-efficient practices as they play a key role in creating a clean energy future for our country. Today’s investments in energy efficiency in Toronto will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase comfort and save money while contributing to the fight against climate change.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Natural Resources

“Today’s investments are an example of how our government stands as a partner with our city for housing and the fight against climate change. As a longtime advocate for sustainability in my hometown, I am glad to see our government supporting local innovation through the City’s Deep Retrofit Challenge, which will benefit residents of Toronto and contribute to Canada’s Emissions Reductions Plan.”

Julie Dabrusin,

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Member of Parliament for Toronto–Danforth

“Our city has a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2040 — 10 years earlier than anticipated. In order to do that, we must accelerate and introduce programs and initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint and work to make Toronto cleaner and greener. Buildings emit some of the highest emissions, and we need to work together along with the other governments and the private sector to address this issue. The retrofits funded through this Challenge will go a long way to proving that we can reduce building emissions using existing technologies. I encourage building owners across Toronto to take up the Challenge and help lead the way to cleaner, greener, more sustainable buildings. Thank you to the federal government for their support of this important initiative.”

John Tory

Mayor, City of Toronto

• Buildings and homes contribute approximately 18 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.

• Retrofits are a critical part of the Government of Canada’s Green Building Strategy, including the $200-million Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative, proposed in Budget 2022.

• The Emissions Reductions Plan advances climate resiliency through the development of the $150-million Canada Green Buildings Strategy.

• The $182-million Energy Efficient Buildings Program is a part of the $180-billion Investing in Canada Plan, supporting the reduction of buildings emissions nationally.

Associated links

• Green Infrastructure – Energy Efficient Buildings Program
• City of Toronto – Deep Retrofit Challenge
• Towards Cost-Effective Net-Zero Energy Ready Residential Renovations
• CHBA Net-Zero Renovations
• City of Toronto

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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