This evolving section includes links to various grants, subsidies, and incentives available for building and homeowners to help them access support for their green energy initiatives or sustainability upgrades in a construction or renovation project. Taking advantage of these funding opportunities is a great way to support climate action.
Please note that each funding program has its own set of rules, eligibility requirements, and deadlines. Further, these government and private-sector programs can change from time to time. Be sure to visit a program's website regularly for details and updates.
To help with your search, Natural Resources Canada offers a Directory of Energy Efficiency and Alternative Energy Programs in Canada, covering an array of programs promoting the efficient use or conservation of energy. This online resource covers programs offered by the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments, major Canadian municipalities, and major electric and gas utilities and companies.
A few individual programs are also highlighted below.
Want to share a program you don’t see here? Email the OAA with “Climate Programs for the Website” with your suggestion.
Residential Projects
● Natural Resources Canada offers the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, which provides funds for home evaluations and retrofits with grants of up to $5000 and loans of up to $40,000.
● The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Eco Plus offers a premium refund of 25% to borrowers who buy or build climate-friendly housing using CMHC-insured financing.
●The City of Toronto: Grants, Incentives and Tips includes several green incentive programs offered by the City of Toronto, including the Green Your Roof, Energy Retrofit, and Home Energy Loan Programs, as well as further listings of greening-your-home programs offered through a variety of sources.
Non-Residential Projects
● The City of Toronto’s Better Buildings Partnership provides funding, expertise, and support to improve the energy efficiency of Toronto’s residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
● Toronto Atmospheric Fund supports high impact climate solutions to create low-carbon, equitable cities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Other
● Natural Resources Canada offers financial assistance for commercial and institutional buildings to help implement the internationally recognized, voluntary ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard, which gives organizations a structured framework to improve energy performance.
●·A second intake is planned for Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which “aims to build more community buildings and improve existing ones—in particular in areas with populations experiencing higher needs—while also making the buildings more energy efficient, lower carbon, more resilient, and higher performing.” Municipal or regional governments, public-sector bodies, not-for-profit organizations, provincial or territorial governments, and Indigenous groups can apply for funding for eligible projects.
● The Green Municipal Fund (GMF), delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), helps municipalities implement innovative and proven sustainability practices. Initiatives include the Community Buildings Retrofit (CBR) Initiative, which “supports local governments and not-for-profit organizations in retrofitting public buildings to improve energy performance, lower operating and maintenance costs, and transition to cleaner energy solutions over time.”
In addition, FCM’s Community Efficiency Financing program helps municipalities deliver energy financing programs for low-rise residential properties, and its Sustainable Affordable Housing program “offers support to local affordable housing providers—including municipal, not-for-profit organizations, and housing co-ops—to retrofit existing affordable housing units, or construct energy efficient new builds that emit lower GHG emissions.”
● Certain businesses may qualify for provincial grants to cover significant portions of the cost of courses and certification exams related to climate action through Passive House Canada. Learn more about the Passive House Canada offerings, including promotions for OAA members.
● Federal tax incentives and credits for businesses may be available. For more, see the Canada Revenue Agency’s Income Tax Folio S3-F8-C2, Tax Incentives for Clean Energy Equipment.