City of Kitchener Asks Federal Government to Reinstate Funding to EnerGuide
Outlined below is the resolution that was passed by Kitchener City Council at its May 29, 2006 meeting regarding REEP:
"WHEREAS Canadians from coast to coast to coast are becoming increasingly concerned about the impacts of global warming and climate change and are calling on governments at all levels to put a high priority on environmental issues and to invest in strategies which would positively address these issues for future generations of Canadians; and,
WHEREAS in the recent Environics Survey of values of Kitchener residents, protecting the environment was supported by 78 percent of residents surveyed; and,
WHEREAS recently the Federal government announced that it was cancelling funding for the "Energuide for Houses" program, which locally was administered as part of Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) - a successful program which in Waterloo Region has brought about 2,400 tonnes of CO2 reductions annually; an estimated $700,000. in energy savings every year for participating homeowners; $3-5 million in local spending on building materials and labour; over $535,000. in federal grants received by our customers; and has provided valuable information for homeowners about home health, safety and comfort;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener urge the Federal government to immediately restore funding for this highly successful program so that additional gains can be made in the CO2 reductions already achieved; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this motion be circulated to the Prime Minster, the Minister of the Environment, local Members of Parliament and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for consideration as an emergency resolution at their upcoming conference; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Premier of Ontario and Ontario Minister of the Environment be encouraged to consider Provincial support to assist in continuation of this valuable program; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that as an interim measure the City approach Kitchener Utilities and Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro to look at the possibility of providing some transitional funding to REEP to continue the program for the balance of 2006 while the Federal government is encouraged to once again fund the program and while REEP looks at alternate funding mechanisms to continue this valuable climate protection program locally if the government maintains their decision to abandon the program."