What the Green Party would do for our industry

Elizabeth May’s party told us that their platform for our industry involves much more than just environmental initiatives…

*Re-introduce and expand the Home Renovation Tax Credit to create incentives for both individuals and companies to make homes and businesses more efficient and accessible.

*Revive the successful EcoEnergy program supporting retrofits to houses and buildings that expired in 2011, and expand it by 50% to $600 million a year. The Green Party expects this will “unleash an army of carpenters, electricians and contractors to reduce energy costs and resultant greenhouse gases in older public buildings, including schools, universities and hospitals.”

*Boost access to apprentice programs in key trades, and support those with skills to train youth through financial support to tradesmen in construction, electricity, plumbing, carpentry, pipefitting, welding and other trades. Also expand industry-based job training and apprenticeship programs.

*Implement a National Housing Strategy based on Housing First principles, quickly providing people experiencing chronic and episodic homelessness with the stable housing they need and ensuring access to additional supports as needed.

*Construction of 20,000 new and 10,000 rehabilitated affordable and rental housing units each year for the next decade.

*Index the GST New Home Rebate to inflation, which the party believes has eroded this rebate to the point where too many Canadians no longer qualify for a full rebate.

*Index the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan to the Consumer Price Index in $2,500 increments, to ensure it remains a useful tool for people buying their first homes.