Evidence of meeting #12 for Natural Resources in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was home.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
So when we ask the question, how can we improve the program—it is under review—is that what you would recommend?
10:55 a.m.
President, Shell Busey's HouseSmart Referral Network, As an Individual
I would definitely recommend that the renovation tax credit today should go towards energy efficiency items that are going to give a much more significant contribution to our carbon footprint--for example, building green, living in a comfort area, and getting the energy dollars back in the form of comfort and quality.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
That was the home renovation tax credit. What about with respect to this program?
10:55 a.m.
President, Shell Busey's HouseSmart Referral Network, As an Individual
The ecoENERGY retrofit program.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
What improvements would you suggest?
10:55 a.m.
President, Shell Busey's HouseSmart Referral Network, As an Individual
It's the education as to where to start—first, second, third, fourth, fifth—not just “I can afford $500”, or “I can afford $5,000.”
We have a bunch of door knockers out there today who are going to homeowners and saying, “We can save you x number of dollars.” In fact, I read an ad in the paper this past week that said, “Save 50% on your heating costs.” How can they say that? I get the next call saying, “I did all these upgrades, Shell, but I never got 50% back.” There has to be some stipulation as to where they're going to get to in the form of a measured race. Are they going to get to the end of the race and finish knowing that they'll get this return through the ecoENERGY retrofit program?
So do they do insulation first? Do they draft-proof first, before they insulate? Do they put windows in? If they put windows in, how are they to be installed?
We have windows going in today that I can tell you right now are going to cost dollars down the road because they're not installed properly, because there's no quality of install measurement. So all of these things have to be measured--
10:55 a.m.
Sheldon Busey
It happens all the time.
10:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Alan Tonks
Thank you, Mr. Hiebert.
I'd like to thank all the witnesses on behalf of the committee. It has been very helpful once again.
Thank you, Mr. Koch.
Just before we adjourn, could I have the permission of the committee to deal with that budget item? It's very straightforward. It's for our witnesses, to cover the hearings, the balance of the hearings.
May I have a motion to approve the budget?
Thank you, Mr. Harris and Mr. Cullen.
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Mr. Regan.
11 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Just quickly, Mr. Chairman, first of all, I'm going to submit to the clerk a list of items that members of the committee have requested. Mr. Allen has asked a couple of witnesses for things and we've asked from this side for things that we haven't had back from various witnesses. Some of them are from the government and some are from elsewhere. I think we could follow up on this and find out when we're going to get these items.
Secondly, I'd like to see us ask the minister to give us a firm date as to when he will be able to appear before the committee to discuss the ecoENERGY program for home retrofits and that he provide us that by our next meeting, May 4.
11 a.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Alan Tonks
Could the parliamentary secretary take that under advisement? Okay.
Thank you, Mr. Regan.
The meeting is adjourned.