Programs and Resources for Indigenous Communities

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There are several programs available to support energy efficiency projects in Indigenous communities across BC. The programs and offers on this page are for supporting multiple building retrofit and new construction projects coordinated at the community-level rather than for supporting individual household projects.

To implement these programs, CleanBC program partners (the Province, BC Hydro, and FortisBC) work directly with community representatives to coordinate delivery of the programs in Indigenous communities.

If you are an individual Indigenous household looking for support for home energy upgrades, please visit the main BetterHomes BC page’s rebate search tool. We encourage you to talk to your community’s/nation’s administration to ask if these programs could be delivered in your community and your household.

Program Offers

Download an overview of CleanBC’s Efficiency and Electric Vehicle Programs for Indigenous Communities [148KB PDF]

Indigenous Communities Conservation Program [41KB PDF]

Supports Indigenous communities and housing providers that want to upgrade and retrofit their residential homes to improve comfort, affordability, and climate resiliency.

The BC Hydro and FortisBC Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP) provides funding and support for energy efficiency upgrades in Indigenous communities. The program is designed for Indigenous communities that are coordinating home energy upgrades in multiple homes for their community members.

The ICCP includes two program offers to help improve the energy efficiency of homes in Indigenous communities. You can take part in one or both program offers depending on what kind of energy upgrades you’re looking to complete.

The Home Energy Check-up includes:

  • Free energy-saving products (including LED light bulbs, water-saving fixtures for the kitchen and bathroom, and various draft-proofing measures)
  • Training for community members and/or staff in how to install the products and complete a basic home condition assessment
  • Salary support to hire community members to complete the work

Home Energy Upgrade Rebates offer funding support for Indigenous communities that are looking to make larger energy efficiency upgrades to homes in their community. Rebates are available for the following eligible upgrades:

  • Air sealing, insulation, windows and doors
  • Ventilation*
  • Health and safety upgrades*
  • Primary space heating
  • Water heating
  • Replacement of old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers

* A home must receive rebate-eligible building envelope upgrades in at least one category (e.g., insulation, windows, doors) to qualify for the health and safety or ventilation rebates.

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For program details and how to apply, visit the Indigenous Community Conservation Program Page for more information on eligibility criteria, how to apply, and applicable deadlines. If you have questions about navigating the program, please reach out to the contacts listed below.

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  • Choosing the right contractor is an important step in a successful energy retrofit. A well-trained contractor is your best bet to achieve your energy efficiency goals.
  • To be eligible for home energy upgrade rebates through the Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP), all upgrades must be installed by a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid B.C. business license in the trade relevant to the upgrade.
  • While no other contractor requirements are in place for ICCP at this time, we recommend that participating Indigenous communities work with a contractor that’s a member of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN). BC Hydro, FortisBC and CleanBC Better Homes work together to maintain a list of registered HPCN contractors across the province.
  • If you’re working with a trusted contractor that isn’t part of the HPCN, and they would like to become a member, they can find out more information on the HPCN website.
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The Home Energy Check-up offer includes two training modules:

  • A one-hour project management module* (for the community’s Project Lead) that covers program elements and documents, and tips and suggestions for successful implementation of the program and managing the work in the community.
  • A home energy technician module (2 days) for local community members provides hands-on learning in completing a basic home condition assessment while installing the energy-saving products included with the program.

*This module is delivered remotely by video-conference or phone with support of illustrative materials.

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outdoor unit heat pump

Indigenous Community Energy Coach and Heat Pump Incentive

Support for Indigenous communities wanting to take advantage of the CleanBC Indigenous Community Heat Pump Incentive and related offers.

The Indigenous Community Energy Coach provides a free resource to:

  • Discuss funding opportunities available to support fuel-switching and energy efficiency projects, with a focus on the CleanBC Indigenous Community Heat Pump Incentive;
  • Work together to identify, assess and prioritize potential space and water heating fuel-switching projects within Indigenous communities;
  • Confirm CleanBC Indigenous Community Heat Pump Incentive eligibility;
  • Assist with heat pump installation planning;
  • Provide CleanBC funding program application support; and
  • Identify additional incentives available for other retrofit upgrades.
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Residential (e.g., on-reserve housing)Community Buildings (e.g., administration office)
Up to 80% of the cost of new heat pump installation(s), up to a maximum of $12,000 per residential heat pump.
For homes switching from woodstove primary to electric heat pumps:
• $3,500 for a mini-split heat pump
• $6,500 for a central heat pump system		Up to 80% of the cost of new heat pump installation(s) and up to $200,000 total per community building heat pump.
A total maximum funding of $200,000 is available for each Indigenous Community program application, and intake is limited to one funding application per fiscal year.
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Contact program support via e-mail at ICEC@coach.betterhomesbc.ca

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FortisBC Indigenous Community New Home Program

Program to support the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code, advance higher efficiency new construction, and enable communities to enjoy more efficient, healthier homes.

FortisBC’s Indigenous Community New Home program is designed to support the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code, advance higher efficiency new construction, and enable homeowners to enjoy lower energy bills and more comfortable, durable, and healthy homes. The FortisBC Indigenous Community New Home Step Code Rebates are available for homes with building permits after March 29, 2018.

Choose from:

  • Option A – Build a home to BC Energy Step Code 2 or higher
  • Option B – Build a home to BC Energy Step Code 1 and access select rebates.
  • Projects pursuing Option A can also access FortisBC’s new Design Offer to offset the costs of engaging consultants.
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For program details and how to apply, visit the FortisBC Indigenous Community New Home Program for more information on eligibility criteria, how to apply, and applicable deadlines.  Indigenous Communities can receive rebates approximately 30% higher than FortisBC’s regular New Home Program. If you have questions about navigating the program, please reach out to the contacts listed below.

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If a home does not meet target metrics, rebates for the equivalent lower step can still be pursued.

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Contact your energy solutions managers or email conservationassistance@fortisbc.com.

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Energy Conservation Assistance Program

Free energy evaluations and free installation of energy-saving products for income-qualified community members. Some homes may also qualify for energy efficient upgrades like insulation, a new fridge, and/or a new natural gas furnace.

The BC Hydro & FortisBC Energy Conservation Assistance Program is available for income-qualified households and provides free energy-saving products, product installations and customized advice from a program Energy Coach to help you save on energy costs and improve the comfort of your home year-round.

Homes will receive free energy-saving LEDs bulbs, high efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators, weather-stripping, clothes rack or clothes line, and more. Some homes may also qualify for an ENERGY STAR® refrigerator, insulation in walls, attic, and/or crawlspace, and/or a high-efficiency gas furnace.

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In response to COVID-19, BC Hydro and FortisBC have postponed all Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) in-home visits indefinitely. The program will continue accepting applications from customers; however, processing times may be delayed. Our top priority is our customers, employees, contractors, and members of the public’s safety.

If you have an upcoming home visit scheduled with one of the program contractors, It’s On Electric or Ecofitt, you will be contacted by them shortly by phone or email to provide you with information about future home visit appointments.

For questions about your initial home visit, please contact It’s On Electric directly at 1-855-560-3227. If you’ve qualified for insulation upgrades and/or a high-efficiency furnace replacement and have questions related to these product installations, contact Ecofitt at 1-833-455-9029.

For all other inquiries, please reach out to ecap_esk@bchydro.com or conservationassistance@fortisbc.com. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

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For program details and how to apply, visit the Energy Conservation Assistance Program Page for more information on eligibility criteria, how to apply, and applicable deadlines.  If you have questions about navigating the program, please reach out to the contacts listed below.

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Please note that the home visits provided as part of ECAP do not count as an EnerGuide home evaluation and cannot be used to access other rebate programs.

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Education and Capacity Building in Energy Conservation

Energy Efficiency Knowledge

Energy Efficiency in the Home

BC Hydro Customers

FortisBC Customers

Links and Resources

First Nations Home Energy Save

  • The Fraser Basin Council is working with First Nations communities and support organizations to reduce home energy use for both new construction and existing housing, share success stories, and build local capacity and skills.  If you have questions about the program or an energy success story to share, they’d like to hear from you.
  • The Fraser Basin Council is offering free training workshops as part of its First Nations Home Energy Save initiative. If you or your community is interested in hosting a workshop please email echia@fraserbasin.bc.ca.

Funding Opportunities

For Clean Energy Projects

This web resource is intended to help Indigenous Nations and local governments in British Columbia find appropriate funding to support energy planning, energy efficiency, and clean energy generation projects. This list provides summary information about each program/funding opportunity, including the program title, description, details on eligibility, funding available, funding organization, contact information, and website address.

Indigenous Clean Energy Network

A place for people working on Indigenous clean energy projects to collaborate on the processes, approaches, and policies needed to maximize the impact of their initiatives.