Canada Backs 162 Home Retrofit Projects with $66.3M for Sustainable Living

Canada has announced roughly $66.3 million in funding for 162 projects across the country to help homeowners finance energy-saving retrofits and to support the construction of more energy-efficient, affordable homes — a practical step toward sustainable living. The announcement was made on October 2, 2026, in Toronto/Ajax, Ontario, and is being delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund.

The funding flows through two of the fund’s initiatives — Community Efficiency Financing and Sustainable Affordable Housing — and is intended to lower household energy costs, improve affordability and cut emissions.

What was announced

The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, made the announcement alongside Jennifer McKelvie, Member of Parliament for Ajax and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. They were joined by FCM’s Green Municipal Fund Chair Berry Vrbanovic.

According to the Government of Canada, the money will help people access home energy retrofit financing and build more energy-efficient, affordable and resilient homes. The upgrades cited include improved insulation, high-efficiency windows, heat pumps and other retrofit measures.

Where the money goes

The projects span every region of Canada, with Sustainable Affordable Housing projects in Peel Region, Markham, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Halifax and Fredericton, plus one project in Nunavut supporting energy-efficient, low-carbon housing in northern communities.

Retrofit financing

Community Efficiency Financing projects include home-retrofit financing feasibility studies and program development work in Markham and Richmond Hill, designed to make it easier for homeowners to pay for energy-saving upgrades.

Affordable housing

The Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative backs new and retrofitted affordable homes that are built to high efficiency standards, combining lower emissions with lower living costs.

The announcement was made from a Regional Municipality of Durham multi-unit rent-geared-to-income building for senior residents that is currently undergoing energy-efficiency retrofits. According to the Government of Canada, that Durham four-building project was announced in 2025 and received a $4.8 million grant and a $5.2 million loan through the Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative.

Why efficient homes matter for sustainable living

Homes are a major source of household spending and of greenhouse gas emissions, and retrofits address both at once. Better-insulated homes with efficient heating stay comfortable through cold Canadian winters while using far less energy, which translates into smaller bills and a smaller carbon footprint.

“More energy-efficient homes mean lower energy bills for Canadians and fewer emissions for our environment. Our government is helping people make energy-saving upgrades, advancing affordable housing solutions, and building a cleaner, more sustainable future for our country,” said Minister Dabrusin.

“Energy efficiency means lower costs, greater comfort, and reduced emissions. Innovative programs like this one will allow Canadians to live more affordably and sustainably,” said McKelvie.

FAKTA

• Amount: Approximately $66.3 million for 162 projects across Canada.
• Delivered through: The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, via the Community Efficiency Financing and Sustainable Affordable Housing initiatives.
• Announced: October 2, 2026, in Toronto/Ajax, Ontario, by Minister Julie Dabrusin, MP Jennifer McKelvie and FCM’s Green Municipal Fund Chair Berry Vrbanovic.
• Upgrades covered: Improved insulation, high-efficiency windows, heat pumps and other retrofit measures.
• Example project: A Regional Municipality of Durham four-building senior housing retrofit announced in 2025 received a $4.8 million grant and a $5.2 million loan.

The funding reflects a broader push toward sustainable living through practical, home-level changes — cutting both household bills and emissions at the same time. For more climate stories, visit our climate section.