February 27, 2009

ecoENERGY – Retrofit Homes Program Update
Cheques to Homeowners Resumed

Following Parliamentary approval for the transfer of additional funds to the ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program, Natural Resources Canada has resumed payment of retrofit grants to Canadian homeowners.

Due to the greater-than-expected number of Canadians participating in the program in its first year, some homeowners have experienced delays in receiving their cheques.

Grant payments will be issued in the order in which applications were received. Homeowners whose grants are overdue should receive their cheques within the next few weeks.

Since the program was launched in April of 2007, the Government of Canada has delivered over $58 million in grants to more than 52,500 homeowners.

Because of the immediate and lasting benefits to homeowners, our economy and our environment, Canada's Economic Action Plan includes an additional $300 million for the ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program. This will allow as many as 200,000 more homeowners to participate in the program over the next two years.

In addition to helping homeowners control their energy costs and reduce emissions, this new investment by the Government of Canada will generate some $2.4 billion in economic activity across Canada, creating and protecting jobs for thousands of Canadians.