Low-income households should be a priority for federal energy efficiency funding

Twenty per cent of Canadian households face energy costs that amount to more than six per cent of their incomes. This burden for low-income Canadians is double the national median and places them in "energy poverty," where people often have to choose between essential services that energy provides - like heat, light and communication - and other essentials like food, water, transportation and rent.

Higher carbon prices that will increase the cost of greenhouse gas-emitting fuels could increase these energy burdens unless we can help low-income Canadians by improving energy efficiency and switching toward zero-carbon energy sources.