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Canada launches Call for Proposals for “Toward Net-Zero Homes and Communities” program

July 28, 2022 – An important part of Canada’s efforts to reach net zero by 2050 to increase residential energy efficiency, says Natural Resources Canada, which is why Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced the first call for proposals for the Toward Net-Zero Homes and Communities program.

“Improving the energy efficiency of homes across the country is an essential part of our plan to help Canadians save on energy bills, lower emissions and achieve net-zero building greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, all while creating good, sustainable jobs,” said Wilkinson.

The new program offers funding for projects that explore and implement innovative technologies and practices that increase energy reliability and efficiency, while reducing GHG emissions and making homes and residences “more comfortable and more affordable”.

This program is open to both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations that are developing projects that fall under one of three (3) funding streams:

1. Addressing barriers to the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.

Support innovative projects to overcome barriers in the production, marketing and accessibility of technologies that eliminate residential GHG emissions.

2. Capacity-building in support of net-zero energy-ready (NZER) building codes.

Support capacity-building projects that facilitate the adoption and implementation of the National Building Code (NBC) 2020 and, where applicable, the National Energy Code for Buildings (NEBC) 2020; lay the groundwork for adopting upper code tiers; share knowledge to encourage consistent national interpretation.

3. Facilitating home energy labelling and disclosure to encourage deep energy retrofits.

Support projects that: a) facilitate the labelling of homes and (b) use innovative labelling and disclosure tools and methods to encourage residents to retrofit their home and decrease their residential GHG emissions.

The program includes two (2) pathways for applications:

Path 1: All eligible applicants must submit their proposals before the application deadline of September 7, 2022, 11:59 pm PST. Up to 75% of the total annual program budget is reserved for this path.

Path 2: Indigenous organizations may submit their applications any time after the path opens. Applications will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis. At least 25% of the program’s total annual budget is reserved for this path, including a minimum of 10% of the total annual program budget for First Nations organizations, a minimum of 10% of the total annual program budget for Inuit organizations, and a minimum of 5% of the total annual program budget for Métis organizations.

The Toward Net-Zero Homes and Communities program will invest up to $14.6 million over the next four years.

Applications for this first call for proposals will be accepted until September 7, 2022, 11:59 pm PST.