Spring 2023 Climate Action Update

Home energy retrofit rebates
There is a new tool for searching (and combining!) rebates, including:

Fossil fuel home heating: rebates of up to $12,450 (or more for income qualified residents!) to switch from oil, propane, or natural gas to an electric heat pumps.
Wood home heating: rebates of $1,000-$2,000 to switch from wood as your primary fuel for heating to electric heat pumps
Water heating
Building envelope (insulation, windows and doors)
Bonus offers for those who complete multiple upgrades

For information on current federal, provincial and our local top-up rebate please visit: www.CentralSaanich.ca/HomeRebates

Heat Pump Financing Program
Reduce emissions and cool your home during longer, hotter summers!

We have just 18 spaces left in our heat pump financing program! You may be eligible for 0% interest financing to replace your fossil fuel air space heating system with an electric heat pump.

Our program enables Central Saanich homeowners to fund up to $12,000 of the cost of getting off fossil fuel heating through an interest-free loan repaid on property tax bills over 10 years. Plus, you can take advantage of some significant rebates and our new top-up offer.

This program is offered for a limited time on a first-come first serve basis – reserve your space today!

For more information contact our Climate Action Coordinator at climate@csaanich.ca or 250.652.4444 ext. 2224. www.CentralSaanich.ca/HomeRebates

Free Home Energy Navigator Program
Free support service is available to help homeowners through their home (energy) retrofit journey. An Energy Concierge will be available to support you through your retrofit project to answer questions, give local and expert advice and help you navigate the complex world of home energy retrofits and rebates. For more information visit Home Energy Navigator, email info@homeenergynav.ca or call 1-866-381-9995.

Business EV Charger Grant
Central Saanich's new Business Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grant helps businesses and other eligible organizations install EV chargers for public use. Participants are encouraged to combine this grant with other rebates that may be available. Participating businesses may also choose to charge drivers for the time they spend hooked up to the charger.

To learn more about EV chargers, whether your site is suitable and how to seek pre-approval for grant eligibility, visit www.CentralSaanich.ca/EVchargergrant

Business Bike Rack program
New this spring/summer! The District will have a limited stock of public bike racks that will be available to eligible businesses and organizations at no cost. Help support active transportation in the community and ensure bike parking is an option for your customers/visitors. Contact us at climate@csaanich.ca or 250.652.4444 ext. 2224 to let us know you are interested.

Preparing our community for future climate emergencies
We’re receiving $270,000 from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaption program to help reduce risks from future disasters related to natural hazards and climate change. This project will better equip the community to plan for and respond to climate-related emergencies like floods and extreme weather.

Central Saanich has also received a grant from Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) to develop a strategy to help identify and understand risks of extreme heat, decrease vulnerabilities and improve capabilities for the District and its residents.

EVENTS
Celebrate Earth Day Weekend with us at Oak Haven Park
Join HAT and Central Saanich staff for a morning of ecosystem restoration at Oak Haven Park in celebration of the Earth Day weekend. Oak Haven Park is a stunning example of our region's iconic and endangered Garry Oak ecosystem, help support our restoration efforts to protect this very important place by coming together to remove invasive plants from the park. Refreshments, tools, and training provided by HAT and Central Saanich.

When: Sunday, April 23rd 2023
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Oak Haven Park (There is a small parking lot on Benvenuto with additional street parking on Garden Gate dr.) RSVP for the specific meeting point location to max@hat.bc.ca or sign up at: www.hat.bc.ca/Volunteer

Celebration Station at Newman Park Beach Access
Join us along the Lochside trail on June 3 from 11-1 for an e-bike demonstration, snacks and a chance to win prizes, while taking park in Spring GoByBike Week (May 29 – June 4). Be sure to Register and track your kilometers at gobybikebc.ca.

RESOURCES

Plan a beautiful yard that supports climate resilience & biodiversity

Central Saanich is already experiencing warmer summers, and these are anticipated to be hotter and drier in future. Save water – and money on your utility bills! – by choosing water-efficient species and making good use of mulch. Water-wise, or “xeriscaping”, landscaping considers the natural conditions of the environment, with a focus on native and drought-tolerant species. Don’t think this limits you to rock gardens and succulents, though – water-wise gardens can be lush, colourful, and biodiverse! Try to keep lawn spaces small and select drought-tolerant grass mixes and clover. Water lawns sparingly, and do so early in the morning or in the evening to reduce evaporation. Lots more great tips in the CRD’s Homeowner’s Guide to Outdoor Water Use.

Choosing native species (and avoiding invasive species at all costs!) also helps our native pollinators like bees and butterflies, whose populations are crucial for the long-term health of our local agricultural lands. Lastly, avoid pesticides and harsh, GHG-intensive fertilizers and instead make use of natural soil enhancements like compost, kelp, and coffee grounds and permaculture techniques that recreate natural ecosystems to keep pests under control.

Check out more tips from Habitat Acquisition Trust in their Gardening with Native Plants guide or join a free virtual workshop on Gardening with Native Plants during April!

Keep an eye on our Natural Environment page for more information