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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CANADIAN GROUPS: KYOTO PLAN MUST INCLUDE ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR POOR HOUSEHOLDS OTTAWA, ON, Canada, February 16, 2005 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- Keeping Canada’s Kyoto strategy on track means involving as many Canadians as possible in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions—and that underscores the urgent need for a program that makes Canada’s existing social housing, over 600,000 units, and indeed all low-income housing more affordable by making it more energy efficient. Don’t leave 4.2 million low-income Canadians out in the cold. “Millions of Canadians live in energy poverty, which means they have to sacrifice other necessities to pay their heat and hydro,” says Clifford Maynes of the Green Communities Association. “Making those homes more energy-efficient will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. It will also make life better for low-income people struggling with high energy bills,” Maynes said. Sharon Chisholm of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association agreed: “A national low-income energy efficiency strategy will provide an opportunity for low-income Canadians to participate in meeting the government’s One-Tonne Challenge,” she said . “It is critical that all Canadians participate so that lifestyle changes are adopted in an inclusive manner and become permanent and sustainable. Low-income Canadians share everyone’s concerns about the health of the environment and must be part of solutions.” The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) is Canada’s national voice for social housing, representing local and provincial departments and organizations that provide housing to millions of Canadians. The Green Communities Association is a national umbrella group for non-profit organizations across Canada that deliver environmental programs and services, including advice and assistance with residential energy efficiency. At a CHRA national symposium in Halifax earlier this month, over 90 participants from a wide range of backgrounds enthusiastically endorsed the following statement, calling for federal government action on this important issue: Canada has proud traditions of public concern for those in need and for the natural environment. In order for Canada's climate change plan to be truly inclusive, it must ensure access by low-income Canadians to share in the benefits and responsibilities of reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Low-income Canadians bear a disproportionately high energy cost burden and lack the resources to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through efficiency programs available to other Canadians. We call upon Canada's federal government to work with us to develop a residential energy efficiency strategy to address this need. “As a follow up to Affordable Efficient Housing: Towards a National Energy Efficiency Strategy for Low Income Canadians, participants call on the federal government to address the disproportionate burden on low-income Canadians of high energy costs. Fulfilling Canada’s Kyoto obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions provides a strategic opportunity to reduce energy poverty in Canada,” said Ms. Chisholm. The push for a national affordable housing energy efficiency program has been gaining steam, winning endorsements from a wide range of environmental, municipal and housing organizations. John Godfrey, Canada’s minister for cities, called the plan a “beautiful win-win” before he was appointed to the federal cabinet last year. “Several years ago, the federal government distributed rebates to help families cope with soaring energy costs,” said Mr. Maynes. “But that only helped people one time. Making investments to retrofit housing would be a durable way for the federal government to give families long-term help. The government has introduced programs to help homeowners reduce the greenhouse gas emissions—the same logic applies to low-income housing.” CONTACT: Sharon Chisholm Canadian Housing and Renewal Association 613-594-3007 ext. 11 / 613-276-5881 (cell) or Clifford Maynes Green Communities Association 705-745-7479 or John Bennett Executive Director, Climate Action Network - Canada 412 - 1 Nicholas Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7 Phone 613 241 4413 Fax 613 241 2292 Cell 613 291 6888 E-mail aajb@magma.ca |
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