MP Rachel Blaney Signs Heat Pump Campaign To Fight Climate Change

North Island - Powell river MP Rachel Blaney has signed onto a campaign to promote heat pumps in homes across Canada.

“The summer of 2021 was a shocking glimpse into a possible future if we do not address the climate crisis,” said Blaney.

“Tackling 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.”

The Universal Heat Pump Program pledge calls on MPs 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 protection.

In 2023, the NDP proposed a motion to force oil and gas companies to pay taxes on their excess profits.

Those taxes, Blaney says, would have brought in an estimated $4 billion over 4 years with a 15% tax, money that could have helped pay for heat pumps to be available for low- and middle-income households.

Jordana Pangburn, local organizer of Heat Pumps for All, says she got involved in the campaign because everyday families like hers have been left to shoulder the burden of climate impacts like extreme heat while fossil fuel companies rake in obscene profits.

She says a universal heat pump program would help tackle the climate crisis and the affordability crisis at the same time.

To see the full release, visit BC NDP.