City launches Commercial Energy Planner and Commercial Energy Loan Program to support building upgrades

The City of Saskatoon is launching the Commercial Energy Planner (CEP) and the Commercial Energy Loan Program (loan program) to help affordable housing providers and owners of commercial, institutional, industrial and multi-unit residential buildings better understand the energy and water performance of their buildings, plan retrofits, and secure financing for qualifying upgrades.

Participants may use the Commercial Energy Planner independently or combine it with financing. Participation in the CEP is required to access the loan program.

Description

The Commercial Energy Planner provides energy and emissions benchmarking, building performance reporting, comparative insights and performance labeling, guidance on opportunities to improve efficiency and support in developing retrofit plans and investment strategies to help guide future investments in building upgrades and modernization. Participating in building owners gain access to information that can help identify cost-saving opportunities and plan future building improvements.

The loan program complements this support by providing eligible building owners with access to financing for energy and water efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, climate resiliency enhancements, and other approved building improvements.

Together, the programs provide participants with information, planning support and financing options to help reduce energy use, operating costs, and greenhouse gas emissions while improving the comfort, safety and long-term performance of their buildings.

"Buildings play a critical role in Saskatoon's climate goals and economic resilience," says Amber Weckworth, Climate Manager, Sustainability Department. "By helping building owners better understand how their buildings are performing and providing tools to support improvements, they can make informed investments that lower operating costs and create more comfortable, efficient spaces."

From understanding building performance to making retrofits a reality

The Commercial Energy Planner provides participating building owners with:

• Energy and emissions benchmarking
• Building performance reports
• Comparative insights and performance labels
• Guidance on opportunities to improve efficiency
• Support in developing retrofit plans and investment strategies

Financing building improvements

For owners ready to act on identified opportunities, the Commercial Energy Loan Program provides another tool, offering financing to support eligible energy efficiency and building upgrades.

"Many building operators want to improve their properties but don't know where to start," says Weckworth. "The Commercial Energy Planner can help owners understand their current performance and identify opportunities, while the loan program provides a financing option to help turn those plans into action."

Supporting Saskatoon's climate and economic goals

The Commercial Energy Planner is partially funded by the Government of Canada’s Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative. The Commercial Energy Loan Program is partially funded by a $500,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (GMF), funded by the Government of Canada. The initiative unlocks affordable, long-term financing for energy and water upgrades, helping building owners reduce emissions, improve performance, and advance Saskatoon’s transition to a low-carbon future.

“Saskatchewan communities know how important it is to plan — and build — for the future. With $450,000 in federal support through the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative, these targeted programs will help property owners in Saskatoon make practical upgrades that save on energy costs and extend the life of their buildings.”

— The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development

“Improving the energy performance of buildings is an important part of reducing emissions, lowering operating costs, and building stronger, more sustainable communities. With the federal government helping to support Saskatoon’s Commercial Energy Planner, we are working together to create healthier, more resilient, and economically secure communities.”

– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature

“Municipalities play a critical role in building a more affordable, resilient, and sustainable future for Canadians. FCM, with the support of the Government of Canada, is proud to support the City of Saskatoon in exploring practical solutions that will increase building energy efficiency to reduce energy costs and emissions. This is an example of how FCM’s Green Municipal Fund is a proven federal-municipal delivery platform helping meet national goals in communities.”

– Tim Tierney, FCM President

The two programs are part of Saskatoon's efforts to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions and improve the performance of existing buildings. Commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings account for 61% of Saskatoon’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

By bringing building performance information, improvement planning and financing together, the City is helping building owners take a more informed approach to investments that can reduce energy costs, improve building performance and extend the useful life of existing properties.

Registration and applications now open

Eligible building owners can now register for the Commercial Energy Planner and apply for financing through the Commercial Energy Loan Program.

Commercial Energy Planner participants receive personalized support and resources throughout the benchmarking and reporting process, while building owners planning upgrades can explore whether their project qualifies for financing.

Learn more

Building owners interested in the Commercial Energy Planner can visit saskatoon.ca/CEP for eligibility requirements and program details.

About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund

FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization that leverages investments from the Government of Canada to provide funding and education to municipalities, helping them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.