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.
Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions Thank you for your resolution calling on the Province, local governments, and industry stakeholders to improve support for rural contractors participating in the CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program ESP. We appreciate UBCMs commitment to advancing energy efficiency and supporting rural communities. 1. Advance Payments to Ease Contractor Strain The Province remains committed to maintaining predictable processing timelines. The programs terms and conditions are designed to minimize financial impacts on contractors. On the rare occasion that processing times exceed thresholds, the program team works closely with the administrator to promptly address delays and uphold service quality. The Province is confident that overall processing times for completed applications remain within satisfactory standards. 2. Incentives for Rural Contractor Attraction The Province recognizes that climate conditions, limited equipment availability, and a shortage of qualified contractors have posed challenges in northern and rural communities. To address these barriers, the CleanBC Northern Heat Pump Rebate Offer and targeted contractor incentives were introduced, significantly increasing contractor capacity and improving service delivery in these regions. With capacity now substantially strengthened, temporary contractor incentives have been phased out. Where qualified contractors are not available, processes are in place to on-board new contractors and maintain service in underserved areas. 3. Expanded Rebates to Boost Homeowner Uptake The Province previously offered broad-based CleanBC Better Homes rebates to encourage energy-efficient upgrades across British Columbia. These incentives were instrumental in building a strong retrofit industry and driving widespread homeowner participation. With current funding constraints, the Province has shifted to a targeted approach, prioritizing high-value support for low- to moderate-income households. This ensures assistance reaches those most in need while maintaining our commitment to equity, affordability, and advancing climate and energy-efficiency objectives. 4. Promoting Health Climate Retrofit Benefits Promoting the health and climate benefits of energy-efficient retrofits remains a priority for the Province. The ESP is a key component of the Provinces commitment to reducing energy costs, improving indoor air quality, and enhancing comfort. The Province also launched the BC Home Energy Planner, a free digital tool to help BC residents make their homes more energy-efficient and prepared for a changing climate, and reduce heating bills. 5. Partnering with Institutions for Contractor Training The Province partners with the Home Performance Stakeholder Council HPSC to advance CleanBC program objectives and strengthen the residential retrofit industry. Through its Home Performance Contractor Network, the Province continues to subsidize contractor training, including top-ups for northern contractors. As part of these efforts, new micro-credential programs such as BCITs Residential Air-to-Air Heat Pump Specialist training and Okanagan Colleges Window and Door training have been launched. The Province with federal funding is also working to expand access to such offers through mobile labs.