SASKATOON, Sask. — The federal government is promoting a $2-billion investment aimed at helping Canadian families, including those in rural and northern Saskatchewan, ease cost-of-living pressures, reduce home heating costs and access financial assistance with less bureaucracy.
Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger highlighted the new National Heat Pump Rebate on Friday, Oct. 23, at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon. The rebate is part of a broader federal investment announced Oct. 8 to support up to one million home energy retrofits and other energy-efficiency upgrades across Canada over the next eight years.
He highlighted the challenges Saskatchewan residents face, particularly in rural and northern communities, where heating homes during long, cold winters can be expensive. He acknowledged that these costs add to other household expenses, including groceries, transportation and school supplies.
“I know that many Canadians are still struggling with the cost of living. But every bit of relief matters. Every dollar a family can save on their heating bill matters. Every investment that makes our home more affordable and our community stronger is a step in the right direction,” said Belanger.
“That's exactly what our government is focused on. We're helping Canadians with the pressures they're facing right now, while laying the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous and more sovereign Canada in the years ahead.”
He added that the federal government is ensuring Saskatchewan, particularly its rural and northern communities, is part of the plan to help Canadians manage household expenses through programs like the heat pump rebate.
Applications are expected to open in early 2027. Belanger encouraged homeowners, landlords and apartment building owners to take advantage of the federal energy-efficiency programs. According to the government, switching from oil heating or electric baseboards to more efficient heat pumps could save households an average of $1,400 a year.
“The whole point is to make sure, through venues like this, we communicate to all of Saskatchewan. To apply. We're asking the families to apply. We're asking people that have apartment buildings to apply. The portal is going to be very user-friendly, and we're trying to be as efficient as we can getting answers back in a very timely fashion,” said Belanger.
Belanger said the federal government's key initiatives include the National Heat Pump Rebate, intended to help up to 820,000 households switch to more energy-efficient electric heat pumps. The program will offer rebates of up to $10,000 for eligible households earning below the median income and $2,000 for other eligible homeowners.
Renters included
Belanger said renters could see indirect benefits from the National Heat Pump Rebate and broader investments in energy-efficient housing. However, savings passed on through lower rents are not guaranteed. He said renters' potential benefits depend on how building owners implement upgrades and whether lower operating costs translate into lower rent or other tenant benefits.
He said tenants could benefit from the program through lower heating costs and that large apartment buildings give landlords opportunities to consider the impact on rental costs. He also pointed to the possibility of co-operation between landlords and tenants, saying incentives could encourage arrangements that let renters benefit from energy savings.
“At the end of the day, it is hoped that if there is a reduction of large-scale costs, like heating a larger building, which multi-dwelling building, that, you know, that would be considered in terms of how the rents are impacted,” said Belanger.
However, he said passing those savings on to tenants isn't guaranteed. “These are some of the things that we would hope would occur on their own, but if it doesn't occur, that's, again, that's not the direct benefit we get.”
The federal government is also addressing energy efficiency in rental housing through support delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Canada Infrastructure Bank. According to Belanger, the investments are intended to support upgrades to at least 280,000 apartments and other multi-unit residential units over the next eight years.
“We know that renters are facing affordability pressures, too. Whether you own your home or rent it, everyone deserves a comfortable place to live and a fair shot at keeping our energy costs down,” he said, emphasizing that improving energy efficiency should benefit Canadians regardless of whether they own or rent their homes.
Belanger said the investments also offer environmental benefits by reducing energy waste and greenhouse gas emissions. He noted that the combined measures are expected to reduce emissions by more than 25 megatonnes. “When we help Canadians use energy more efficiently, we together reduce waste, we lower household costs, and we cut emissions.”
As the government pursues energy efficiency and emissions reductions, Belanger said Canadians should not have to choose between affordability and environmental sustainability. “Canadians shouldn't have to choose between making ends meet and building a cleaner, more sustainable future. We can do both.”
