The Government of Canada is taking action to build a clean, affordable and economically competitive future for all Canadians. Modernizing legislation and delivering programs to enable tenants, homeowners, building operators, manufacturers and industrial facilities to choose energy-efficient equipment and technologies helps them save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To that end, amendments to modernize the Energy Efficiency Act were introduced in the Senate. First passed in 1992, the Act aims to reduce the overall energy consumption of energy-using products and allow consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. Since 1995, Canadian households, businesses and industries have saved over $110 billion as a result of regulations under the Act. It is estimated that the Canadian industrial sector will see annual savings of $743 million in 2030, thanks to regulations already in place.
The new amendments presented will build on progress to date, ensuring the Act functions in modern online marketplaces, and enable it to keep pace with technological innovations in the ways energy is used and managed. Among other updates, amendments will:
- expand the legislation to include online sales and digital labels;
- bring tools in the Act in line with those in other modern legislation, like adding regulatory sandboxes and more nimble and targeted compliance options; and
- make the regulatory processes faster and more cost-effective by introducing new mechanisms that streamline government processes.
Energy efficiency is central to how the Government of Canada is improving affordability and supporting industrial competitiveness. Increased energy efficiency in homes and buildings, as driven by a modernized Energy Efficiency Act, helps Canadians and their businesses lower their energy bills, boosts productivity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, all while supporting more secure, reliable electricity systems.
