Earth Day Event Review: Part 1 - Government Rebates

 At the spring Earth Day Event in April 2022 we had several service groups represented to raise awareness of opportunities for Billings Residents to take advantage of climate saving options. Here are a few highlights:

A) Canada Greener Home Grant

This program will help fund up to $5000 in ‘Green’ home energy upgrades for Canadians. It will cover partial costs for improvements in many possible areas, depending on the needs of your home. All the upgrades and improvements are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also saving homeowners money over longer periods. The program will also cover up to $600 of fees for the required home inspections by a licensed Home Energy Inspector.

Home Energy -Blower Test

Examples:

• Improving insulation in walls or attics

• Upgrading windows/doors for reducing heat loss

• Upgrading home heating options for increased efficiency

• Installing green energy options in your home for increased efficiency

• Upgrading water systems, such as toilets or water heaters, for increased efficiency

To go through the process you follow these general steps:

1. Register for the ‘Canada Greener Homes Grant’ and choose a “Green Energy Company’ from the list provided to conduct your grant visits.

2. Connect with a local Home Energy Inspector to have them come to your house for an inspection before work is done.

3. The Home Energy Inspector discusses your ideas for improvements and recommends solutions that align with the options available with the grant.

4. Install the improvements with a chosen local contractor.

5. Have a post-installation visit from the Home Energy Inspector to ensure goals have been met for the program.

6. Send in your receipts online to the Green Homes Grant Website.

7. Receive a rebate check.

It is important to note that contact with the Home Inspector MUST occur before the work has been done to your home - they need to inspect your house first!

Additional questions can be directed to your local contractors, or to Chris T on the committee who has gone through the process already.

B) Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program

This provincial tax credit has been active for over a decade with many Islanders already taking advantage. It follows many different ‘10’s on how it functions

• Anyone with at least 10 acres (4 hectares) of forest on a single property can apply, as long as they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

• A ‘Managed Forest Plan Approver’ will visit and work with residents to develop a 10 year management plan for maintain the forest.

• This plan will be reviewed after 5 years and requires updating after 10 years to continue with the program. 

The basic premise is that maintaining forest is good for our communities and our province. So the government will provide a tax incentive to maintain forests. The most common question relating to this program is what is required to ‘maintain’ the forest. A local ‘Managed forest Plan Approver’ that presented at the event, Maria Diebolt, of Manitoulin Tree Services, suggests that all of these actions are still allowed while maintaining your forest for the tax credit:

• Maple Syrup collection

• Cutting for firewood

• Maintaining a road/path

Basically, you as long as you don’t clear cut the forest, and act responsibility so the forest can remain healthy for generations it will qualify. 

To get involved with the Tax Credit program, contact your local arborist and connect with any of the local Plan Approvers. Estimated annual tax savings are likely in the hundreds of dollars.