Government Responds to CFIG with New Energy Programs for Independents

As CFIG members are probably aware, last month the Federal government announced an energy grant to Loblaw that came as a surprise to CFIG and a number of other associations that represent small- and medium-sized businesses.  Part of the reason for the lack of knowledge about the program that Loblaw accessed, may have been due to the fact it was tailored to large businesses, requiring a minimum spend of $1 million on the part of the applicant.  Following the announcement of the Loblaw grant, the program itself, we learned, had ended.

This was not acceptable to CFIG.  On behalf of independent grocers, our members, we engaged in intense advocacy efforts and discussions to have the program not only re-opened, but to have the eligibility thresholds adjusted to make it more accessible for small- and medium-sized businesses.

Today the Minister of the Environment announced two new programs under the Climate Action Incentive Fund, that will benefit our members who are looking for some financial support as they invest in energy efficiency measures to help them reduce their carbon footprint– and energy costs!

• Rebate program: In the four provinces that are not participating in the federal carbon pollution pricing system, which are:  Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick, small and medium size businesses can be eligible to receive rebates for 50% of the cost of purchasing new equipment such as heating and cooling equipment, boilers, fridges, dishwashers…  to a maximum of $20,000 per applicant.     Also, there will be funding of up to 25% of eligible costs, for energy efficient retrofits and other projects.
• SME Project Funding: For the entire country, a new $10 million program for smaller projects, is being established that will provide funding for energy efficiency retrofit projects undertaken by small and medium size businesses. They are eligible to receive up to 25% of their energy-efficient project costs, with funding ranging between $20,000 and $250,000. So the minimum government contribution would be $20,000, for a project costing $80,000.  The maximum federal contribution is $250,000, assuming a $1 million project.  Also, applicants can propose smaller projects and can “bundle” these projects together, and under the auspices of CFIG, we would send them in to Ottawa.  As long as the projects are similar.
• New External Advisory Committee: The Government is establishing this Committee to provide ongoing advice to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, to ensure that these and future programs are meeting the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses and looking for continuous ways to improve the delivery of funds and the suitability of program criteria.  We are pleased that the Government has appointed CFIG to sit on this Advisory Committee on your behalf.

Since these program details were just finalized this week, the applications are not yet available, but will be in a few days.  When the applications and links are provided to CFIG, we will be sending them out to our membership and posting them on the members’-only gated area of our website.

We do want to now take the opportunity to thank the Government of Canada for responding to our concerns and those of small- and medium-sized businesses, with programs that are more accessible to our members.

Thank you for being a member of CFIG and your continuing support.

Details of the Minister’s announcement:

NEWS RELEASE – Canada to help small businesses invest in energy-saving equipment and retrofits

BACKGROUNDER – Government of Canada announces plans to provide support for energy-efficient projects and equipment in small- and medium-sized businesses