Whereas energy efficient and zero emissions building equipment provide benefits such as lower annual energy costs and improved resilience to extreme heat events; And whereas the CleanBC Better Homes and Better Buildings programs provide incentives and rebates to reduce the significant cost barriers to implementing energy efficiency and zero emissions retrofits for existing buildings, yet multiunit residential buildings including affordable housing have limited access to these incentive programs: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM urge the Government of BC to significantly increase funding for provincial incentive programs to support energy efficient and zero emissions equipment for existing buildings, to ensure that incentives can leverage pre2030 replacement cycles for residential and commercial building equipment; And be it further resolved that UBCM urge the Government of BC to ensure that existing and future incentives and support programs are available for all building types, prioritizing multiunit rental, affordable and nonmarket housing, and building types that are not covered in current incentives and rebates.
Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions The Province recognizes the importance of supporting energy-efficient and zero emissions retrofits in existing buildings to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and enhance climate resilience. Through CleanBC, the Province has delivered programs assisting residential, commercial, and institutional buildings to adopt low-carbon technologies, including high-efficiency heat pumps, electric water-heating systems, and building envelope improvements. The CleanBC Better Homes and Better Buildings programs provide targeted incentives to a range of building types, including market and non-market housing, multi-unit residential buildings, and Indigenous- and community-owned facilities. Recently, the Province announced 100 million to support heat pump rebates for low- and moderate-income households. This includes the planned expansion of the Energy Savings Program to provide rebates for individual suites in multi-unit residential buildings, and participation in BC Hydro and FortisBCs Energy Conservation Affordability Program to provide heat pump rebates to the lowest-income households in British Columbia. The Province acknowledges the need to ensure program accessibility across all building types and the importance of aligning incentives with typical equipment replacement cycles. The Province continues to review and refine program design to support equitable and cost-effective retrofits across British Columbia to support its climate goals.