What Are We Asking?

We are engaging Saskatoon-based businesses and organizations on the final design of the Community Energy Loan Program (CELP). This will help us to:

• Confirm the findings from the 2023 engagement activities,

• Gather additional feedback on the proposed direction for CELP,

• Explore opportunities for partnerships, especially with affordable housing providers.

Your feedback, best practice research, and results of the feasibility study will inform the recommended program design that will be presented to City Council in 2026.

How Can You Get Involved?

We are reaching out to participants who took part in interviews in 2023 (for example, representatives of small to mid-sized buildings, non-profits, business improvement districts, landlord associations, and multi-unit or affordable housing). If you haven't participated before and are associated with such dwellings/properties please contact us. 

In this round of engagement, participants will share their feedback through a survey and/or meetings. Additional information on the current engagement activities will be announced shortly.

What is the Project About?

In 2023, Saskatoon undertook a feasibility study focused on energy and water retrofits for industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings. This study combined best practice research with input from stakeholders to identify effective ways to support building owners and property managers in improving energy and water efficiency and adopting renewable energy. Approaches such as loan financing, incentives, educational programming, and decision-making tools—like those featured in the Home Energy Loan (HELP) program—were highlighted as key strategies for driving progress.

Building on this foundation, in 2024, City Council approved $25 million to extend the HELP program and develop a new commercial initiative, the Community Energy Loan Program (CELP). CELP is designed specifically for commercial and multi-unit residential sectors.

Why Are We Doing This Work?

Buildings are a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Saskatoon. In 2023, they were responsible for about 59 per cent of community emissions. Of this, roughly 59 per cent came from industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI), and multi-unit residential buildings and 41 per cent were from the residential sector. To reach Saskatoon’s net-zero emissions target by 2050, support is needed to increase the uptake of building energy retrofits.

Feedback gathered from businesses and organizations in 2023 shows strong support for energy efficiency and cutting emissions, with participants motivated by factors like saving money, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability. Most reported aiming to lower their energy use by 10–30 per cent and more than half had already made or planned improvements such as upgrading windows, lighting, or HVAC systems. However, high upfront costs, limited incentives, and a lack of accessible information are barriers for organizations considering energy retrofit projects. CELP is being designed to reduce these barriers and support organizations in implementing retrofits and renewable energy projects.