Toronto, ON—Bryan Purcell, VP Policy and Programs, The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), made the following statement in response to Canada’s budget 2026 announcement:
“Today’s federal budget recognizes that electrification is central to building a cleaner, more affordable and competitive Canadian economy. These investments in energy efficiency and clean electricity will deliver made-in-Canada national priorities by helping communities lower energy costs, improve and build housing, and meet growing demand for clean electricity.
“The renewed $107 million Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative and the $2 billion National Heat Pump Rebate together offer meaningful support for families, communities, and the buildings sector. Deep retrofits lower carbon emissions while lowering energy bills, improving comfort and health, and creating skilled local jobs. By helping building owners plan, finance, and manage complex projects, retrofit accelerators will move more retrofits from planning to construction and strengthen demand for Canadian-made building products. Combined, these investments address key barriers to electrification and will deliver lasting energy savings for Canadians.
“Beyond retrofits, the budget includes several investments that provide critical foundations for urban climate action. The proposed $587 million renewal of the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program will support the installation of more than 55,000 additional EV chargers. Expanding reliable and accessible charging infrastructure is essential to closing gaps in EV adoption, giving Canadians greater confidence to make the switch, and supporting Canada’s growing electric vehicle industry. This comes alongside $45 million for EV charging R&D—important steps toward building the infrastructure cities need as transportation electrifies.
“The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program will receive $4 billion over ten years, supporting community‑scale clean energy projects that help communities manage growing electricity demand. Clean Electricity and Clean Technology investment tax credits have been extended to 2040, providing long‑term certainty for Indigenous communities, municipalities, utilities, and businesses investing in clean energy and electrification projects.
“The budget also includes targeted support to reduce emissions from urban development and support the growth of cleaner, more resilient cities. $400 million over seven years will help high‑efficiency industrial facilities cut emissions through the Strategic High-efficiency Industrial Facilities Transition, including industries that supply materials critical to housing and infrastructure. Additional funding—$6 billion over six years—is earmarked for emerging electricity‑generation technologies.
“To accelerate housing delivery, the government is investing in modern methods of construction through a new $300 million Strategic Response Fund, with a further $200 million committed in future years. It is also providing $67.7 million to modernize housing data and establish common standards, with $101.2 million allocated in future years. The National Research Council will adeliver more timely updates to the National Model Codes, helping municipalities and builders adopt new technologies and practices more quickly. Together, these measures aim to curb emissions growth while enabling faster, more efficient housing and infrastructure development.
“TAF is positioned to support the Government of Canada’s agenda to strengthen economic security, sovereignty, and competitiveness through clean electrification. Programs supporting deep retrofits, EV infrastructure, and a clean electricity grid will have lasting impacts when paired with local expertise and program delivery. Looking forward, we recommend public dollars could work harder across the board by tying all federal funding for housing and infrastructure to low-carbon outcomes.
“TAF looks forward to continuing our work with the Government of Canada, across federal departments and alongside municipal, industry and community partners, to turn these investments into meaningful local climate outcomes across Canada.”
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