HELP SAVE THE PLANET. GET PAID TO DO IT.

Chris Allinotte, WRLA

the Lumber and Building Materials Industry is not only a major contributor to Canada’s economy, but it’s also one of the best industries to be employed in. With that level of importance to the GDP comes a huge opportunity. When the LBM Industry makes a change, it has a massive real-world impact on the thousands of communities where we live and do business. These days, it’s impossible to ignore the need for sustainability and the overall reduction of carbon footprint. Individuals will always have a part to play, but businesses can lead the way and drive change.

Fortunately, the provincial and federal governments realize that while these kinds of changes are necessary—they aren’t cheap.

Here is a selection of incentives your business can take advantage of wherever you are. We’ve got at least one for every province—though there may be others available. Search for incentives on your provincial government’s websites. For now—check out these programs and start saving energy and money!

British Columbia

B.C.’s public utility, FortisBC, offers the following rebates. These are just 4 out of 43 currently available programs:

• Installing EV charging solutions for workplaces or multi-unit residences: Up to $2,000

• Installing a high-efficiency natural gas boiler: Up to $45,000

• Installing air curtains at your facility: Up to $2,000

• On new buildings—rebates available for constructing high-performance, energy-efficient commercial or light industrial buildings: Up to $500,000

• Commercial Energy Assessment: FREE This energy assessment walkthrough will produce recommendations for improving energy efficiency, recommend upgrades, and advise on all the rebates that would apply

CleanBC offers a “Better Buildings” program that offers multiple incentives for both new construction and renovation with a handy tool to determine exactly what rebates you’re entitled to.

Links:

• FortisBC Rebates: https://bit.ly/FortisBC_01

• CleanBC: https://bit.ly/CleanBC_01

Alberta

Energy Savings for Business, offered by Emissions Reduction Alberta, offers a wide range of incentives for improvements to areas like HVAC, motors and drives, building envelope and windows, just to name a few. Incentives start at a minimum of $500, and go up to $250,000 per project.

• Parent companies can apply for up to $1,000,000 to cover the costs of products & services

Radicle, a division of BMO, offers a suite of software and dedicated training and advisors to work directly with businesses to reduce emissions and cut costs. For example, they will coach businesses on exactly what needs to be done to take advantage of solar energy credits offered by the province.

Links:

• Emissions Reduction Alberta: https://bit.ly/EmissionsAlberta_01

• Radicle: https://bit.ly/Radicle_01

Saskatchewan

SaskPower offers Demand Response Program for industry, offering financial incentives for reducing power use, or shifting peak usage to alternate times, reducing stress on the power grid.

They also offer the Power Support Service (PSS) which will provide a free energy management audit and suggestions on how to reduce environmental impact and costs.

The Ministry of Environment is also currently working on a program that will provide incentives for sequestering carbon and selling greenhouse gas (GHG) offset credits.

Links:

• SaskPower Incentives: https://bit.ly/SKpower_01

• Ministry of the Environment: https://bit.ly/SKministry_01

Manitoba

Efficiency Manitoba is a Crown corporation dedicated to energy efficiency and offers numerous incentives for residents, small and large businesses, as well as industry.

Most of their programs come with an application process, and many of the incentives come with an online calculator so you can see how much money you can potentially receive prior to applying.

Link:

• Efficiency Manitoba: https://bit.ly/MBefficiency_01

Ontario

Ontario Hydro offers an Electricity Rebate of 11.7% to Commercial accounts that use more than 50 kW but less than 250,000 kWh annually—this rebate is automatically applied if your business falls in that range.

Save On Energy offers small business incentives for switching to more efficient lighting and non-lighting equipment, up to $2,000 for lighting and $2,500 for other equipment.

EnergyRates also offers a searchable list of rebates and retrofit programs that can save you money.

Links:

• Hydro One Electricity Rebate: https://bit.ly/Hydro1_01

• Save on Energy: https://bit.ly/SaveOnEnergy_01

• EnergyRates: https://bit.ly/EnergyRates_01

Qu Bec

Québec’s strategy is a comprehensive “2030 Plan for a Greener Economy” and is largely being accomplished through cap & trade greenhouse gas (GHG) credits and a push to “decarbonize buildings” including preferring wood as a low-carbon material in new buildings.

Links:

• Québec Climate Plan: https://bit.ly/QC_climate_01

Maritimes

PEI offers Business Energy Rebate and New Brunswick Business Rebate Program. Newfoundland & Labrador Businesses can leverage rebates through “Take Charge NL”.

Links:

• PEI offers a Business Energy Rebate: https://bit.ly/PEI_energy_01

• New Brunswick Business Rebate Program: https://bit.ly/NB_Energy_01

• Newfoundland Power: https://bit.ly/NLtakecharge_01

Yukon

The Yukon has a Business Carbon Price Rebate that is applied for via your business tax return. There are lots of other energy efficiency programs available in the Yukon.

Links:

• Business Carbon Price Rebate: https://bit.ly/Yukon_Carbon_01

• Other: https://bit.ly/YukonEnergy_01

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (NWT)

The NWT has a GHG grant program, as well as energy efficiency rebates. Apply on the government website.

Links:

• Government of North West Territories: https://bit.ly/NWT_Energy_01

Nunavut

The Nunavut Carbon Rebate currently pays half the Federal Carbon Tax on diesel and gasoline. Information on that program can be found on the province’s website.

Links: Nunavut Carbon Rebate: https://bit.ly/NUcarbon_01