Whereas home retrofits are essential for reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and increasing climate resilience, especially in rural communities facing extreme weather and energy poverty; And whereas rural contractors face financial and administrative barriers in the CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program ESP for low to medium income qualified households, reducing program participation and limiting access to retrofits: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province of British Columbia, local governments and industry stakeholders to improve support for rural contractors in the CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program by: 1. Providing advance payments to ease financial strain on contractors; 2. Offering incentives to attract contractors to rural areas; 3. Expanding rebate coverage to boost homeowner participation; 4. Promoting the health and climate benefits of retrofits; and 5. Partnering with post-secondary institutions to train contractors in high-performance building and business administration.
