Latest news with #rebates
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
P.E.I. government reducing many of its energy efficiency rebates as of Monday
Social Sharing Prince Edward Islanders who invest in some energy efficiency measures will get lower rebates from the provincial government starting Monday, while amounts offered to help pay for insulation and window and door replacement will go up. The province announced the changes to its Net Zero and efficiencyPEI rebates on Thursday, after it paused accepting new applications for some programs earlier in the year. "We're trying to balance fiscal responsibility — staying within the budgets that we have in the division — while maximizing our return on investment," said Derek Ellis, the director of sustainability for the province's Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action. That means "moving some investments away from some of the poorer-performing programs from an energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions perspective and over to the higher-performing programs," he said. As a result, the amount of money Island homeowners will get for installing heat pumps, buying electric vehicles and putting in solar panels is set to decrease. The province will also pause new applications for free heat pumps, free insulation and free electric hot water heaters due to high demand, a news release said. The province measures the cost effectiveness of its programs based on dollar spent per ton of greenhouse gas emission elimination, as well as dollar per kilowatt hour saved, Ellis said. "We have a good idea of how [programs] perform over time and have made some changes in response to that," he said. Details of new P.E.I. government rebate levels as of June 2, 2025 Popular programs The province has seen a lot of uptake on its heat pump and solar panel rebates, Ellis said, adding that the province is happy to continue offering rebates to homeowners on those items, at a lower rate. The heat pump rebate for residential properties is set to decrease from $1,200 to $900 per unit, while the solar panel program will see a change in incentive rate and a rebate capped at $5,000 for solar panels installed on a home, compared to the prior $10,000 cap. People wanting solar panels who were previously approved by the province will get the old amount, while anyone who applied on or after Jan. 8, 2025, will get the new amount if they are deemed eligible. "Incentives and caps for commercial and agricultural clients will remain the same," the news release adds with regard to solar panels. "Rebates on energy-efficient equipment for business, community, commercial and industrial buildings [are] increasing, including air source heat pump rebate increasing from $600 to $900. Rebates are also increasing for selected lighting and for packaged terminal heat pumps." Rebates for the purchase of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles have been popular, particularly in Charlottetown and Summerside, Ellis said. While the amount of those rebates are going down, annual registration of those vehicles will still be free. Ellis also said the province will not be making changes to its infrastructure plans to support EVs, citing projects underway to create more fast charging stations in communities across the Island. Some rebates the same or higher Some of the energy efficiency and rebate programs will continue unchanged, including the e-bike incentive, instant rebates on appliances, and the provincial subsidy for home energy audits. As well, the provincial news release says, there will be a "40 per cent increase in rebates for insulation for attics, walls, basements, headers, exposed floors, windows and doors, and air sealing." As for new home construction, the news release said, "incentives will be increased and re-aligned to match national building code tiers, so people will get more money back." Ellis said the province tries to stay in line with the latest trends and best practices to help Islanders minimize energy costs.
National Post
16-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
CUPE: Doug Ford Hands $4 Billion to Bosses While Leaving Injured Workers in the Lurch
Article content TORONTO — Ford's announcement that $4 billion in rebates will be paid out to Ontario employers is lauded as a positive step for Ontario, but this is a misdirection. WSIB is not taxpayer funded. Employers pay premiums to ensure that when workers get injured on the job, they have coverage to help them recover. Article content Article content The fact is that successive Conservative and Liberal governments have eroded our workers' compensation system, limiting the scope of coverage and benefits. It is time to reverse this trend and expand coverage and benefits, prioritizing injured workers over rebates to employers. Article content Since 2017 the WSIB has through rate reductions and direct refunds given Ontario employers Over $8 Billion. $5.5 Billion in direct refunds since 2022. But workers get nothing. The $4 Billion refunding taking place in 2025 is not even tied to improving prevention and safety for workers. At a minimum the refund should be required to prevent layoffs during the Trade War with America. Article content Meanwhile, the workers at the WSIB are left with fewer resources than they need to provide the service the injured workers of Ontario deserve. Article content 'Instead of handing billions back to the bosses, the Ford government should be looking to expand WSIB coverage to the over 1.56 million workers excluded from the WSIB,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. '$4 billion could also be used to end hallway medicine, end the cuts to injured worker benefits and significantly improve accident prevention in Ontario.' Article content 'WSIB refunds should come with a requirement to ensure Ontario jobs are protected during this trade war,' added Nicole Francis, Chief Steward of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'Sadly, the government policy is based on the unrealistic hope that the $4 Billion gift will trickle down to protect Ontario workers.' Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
