North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney wants heat pumps for everyone.
On July 29, Blaney signed on to 350.org's Universal Heat Pump campaign, which is promoting the installation of the pumps in homes across the country.
"The campaign calls on MPs in Canada to support the program, which would be overseen by a publicly-owned entity to produce, distribute, and install heat pumps. Additionally, the program includes tenant protections," a release from Blaney says.
鈥淭he summer of 2021 was a shocking glimpse into a possible future if we do not address the climate crisis,鈥� Blaney said. 鈥淭ackling the problem not only means tackling the climate crisis, it also means reducing energy bills and helping families save money. Heat pumps are an essential tool to fighting the climate crisis and making life more affordable. This program will also create jobs.鈥�
While the implementation of this program would come with a cost, a report on 350.org says that "The government has lots of revenue options. The feds could and should divert the billions that they are wasting on military spending and unjustifiable subsidies to Big Oil, and implement progressive taxation on the billionaire class and the fossil fuel companies who created this crisis. The resources are there 鈥� it鈥檚 a question of political will."
Last year, the NDP proposed a motion to implement a windfall tax on oil and gas profits, which Blaney said could go to programs like this one.
鈥淚 was disappointed but not surprised when the Liberals and Conservatives joined forces to vote down that motion,鈥� Blaney said. 鈥淐anadians continue to look to the government for leadership on climate change, but the Liberals and Conservatives continue to show that their loyalty belongs with the rich CEOs and corporate polluters who make the climate crisis worse. Canadians shouldn鈥檛 be forced to endure the consequences of climate change while the rich continue getting richer.鈥�
Governments, including the B.C. Provincial Government, already have heat pump rebates and incentives. However, these are generally geared toward home owners. People who rent do not have access to the rebates or benefits of heat pumps. The campaign proposes to include renters through the public-owned crown corporation's mandate, which would also include built-in tenant protections to ensure "the installation of this lifesaving technology cannot be used to kick people out of their homes," 350.org says.
鈥淚 got involved in the Heat Pumps for All campaign because everyday families like mine have been left to shoulder the burden of climate impacts like extreme heat while fossil fuel companies rake in obscene profits,鈥� Jordana Pangburn, an organizer of Heat Pumps for All, said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just not fair! A Universal Heat Pump Program would help tackle the climate crisis and the affordability crisis at the same time, and I鈥檓 glad that MP Blaney has pledged to fight for it. I hope to see other elected representatives join this movement and commit to supporting universal access to heating and cooling that won鈥檛 worsen the climate crisis. Heat Pumps for All is one of many examples of the kind of bold action my generation needs.鈥�
