In their editorial this morning, The Sun bashes Stephen Harper's version of Energuide:
This week, Lunn insisted "over 90% of every dollar" spent under the new Tory program "will go to retrofits on the home."
If the Tories actually manage to pull that off, it will be in part because, unlike the Liberals, the Tories won't subsidize the pre- and post-renovation inspections. Homeowners will be on the hook for those costs themselves.
Unfortunately, in the real world, that's a huge disincentive. If the environment is the huge issue the government must make it as easy as possible to qualify for the cash back and to conserve energy.
Particularly because we strongly suspect the Canadians who took advantage of the Grit program were not amongst the working poor. Richer Canadians who can afford to retrofit their homes don't need government subsidies to do it.
How about this for a campaign slogan:
Canada's New Government: resurrecting old programs and ruining them for the poor.
no kidding. The same kind of thinking went into tax incentives for creating childcare spaces. Of course, it didn't work in Ontario under Harris, which is why they resurrected it from the dead. Policy on paper only.
ReplyDeleteHearhere,
ReplyDeleteWhoa man, you're making me think. No comments until tomorrow.
It should be the other way around if it is true. The free pre audit will show where the problems are and it will show what you can save. The post audit, homeowners will have less problem paying because they know they will be saving money on energy costs afterward.
ReplyDeleteIf homeowners are charged for the pre audit many won't go for it. It looks like a cash grab should their homes need no retrofit.
Its like saying "give me 300 bucks and I will tell you if you need any work done" as opposed to "let me take a look and see if there is a problem, then you pay me $300 to see if it's been solved".
This is especially important for people who have difficulty understanding how it would benefit them.
It won't matter much anyway because all of these re-announced programs that have been pared down won't really be in place until after the budget, the one an election could be triggered on. Its like promising the moon, er half-moon.
If you p
Makes sense to me. Seems fairer too. Comments?
ReplyDeleteYes...do you have any links to the factual information you presented in your comment?
Hearhere,
ReplyDeleteThere is more of an impetus to do something now that the conservatives have stopped denying we have a problem, and all their minions have slacked off with the copying and pasting and pushing of propaganda. Like Mr. Baird and CCRES for example. People were receiving mixed messages ever since the program was brought in (the first time) by the politicians they "trusted" but a certain party(s) were lying.
People will always try to save cash no matter what and the only real way of ensuring both audits is done is to make them both free.
My bigggest concern about all this is if thats all they did was to play with the fee's then why was it cut for an entire year.
ReplyDeleteIt took a year for this? That's scary. I really don't want as lazy a government as this makes it look to be. And they had just 5 things they choose to do and didn't get those al done either.
Yikes
If I can get my windows replaced using a $5,000 grant, I'll do it. I'll still do it even if I have to pay the $200, 300, 400 whatever energy audit from my own pocket.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that I may have to take out a short term loan to cover the full cost of the window replacement is also irrelevant. Full cost of windows $10,000, installation $1,000, interest charges $600, audit $300, so full cost around $12,000. My extra 'costs', even because I'm not rich and have to borrow, is another $1,000. The gov't gives me $5,000. Suddenly, coughing up $7,000 for windows instead of $12,000 is a hit I'm willing to take to save the environment.
Anon,
ReplyDeleteThe point is, the audit tells you whether you have to replace your windows to begin with. Or whether the money you're willing to spend to make the place more energy efficient might be put to better use elsewhere.
I had the audit done. long list of possible things to improve/replace. So i started on it. Replaced upstairs windows first, caulking, some insulation. Then this new gov't comes along and cancels the program. I'm now considered part of the Cons' spinmeisters' lazy 70%... Despite that, seeing the benefit to my home, a couple months ago i went and had the basement windows done. So am i able to apply for this new program? Or will my repairs fall through the time-gap created by Harpors fiddling? Naturaly, not even the mini-minister knows that yet...
ReplyDeleteMy windows are circa 1969, were originally dual pane but the seals are compromised on just about all of them. Without the 'saran wrap' on the windows, they condense water like no tomorrow as they are so cold.
ReplyDeletePlus I'm sure the attic could do with a proper insulation job, too. Add that to the bill.