NDP proposes retrofit with $ from CPP

[maplesyrup]

NDP wants cost of retrofitting older buildings to be loaned from the CPP

The New Democrats are proposing to tap up to $100 million from the Canada Pension Plan to show that going green wouldn't be economically painful.

The money would create a pool of capital for homeowners and businesses to borrow from to retrofit older, less energy efficient buildings. Property owners would use the savings on energy costs to make loan payments, Layton said.

Loans would be interest-bearing and the CPP fund would be fully repaid, party officials said.

"Everybody wins," Layton said outside a Saskatoon youth shelter that has been retrofitted. "Participants get lower energy bills without spending a dime. Workers get well-paid jobs and communities burn far less fuel, creating much less pollution."

A national building retrofit program would bring "Canada that much closer to meeting our Kyoto commitments," he said.

Under the international agreement, Canada promises a six per cent cut in greenhouse emissions from 1990 levels by 2012

It would be great if Canada could keep its Kyoto commitments.

[willy]

A federally administered program to lend people money, our retirement money, across the country to renovate their homes. I wonder how much that would cost. This has the potential of making the gun registry and the sponsorship program look like we got off easy.

I guess when you will never be in power to implement the idea it isn’t really a promise.

A city councilor in Ottawa, what will he come up with next.

[BigGunner]

A federally administered program to lend people money, our retirement money, across the country to renovate their homes. I wonder how much that would cost. This has the potential of making the gun registry and the sponsorship program look like we got off easy.

I guess when you will never be in power to implement the idea it isn’t really a promise.

A city councilor in Ottawa, what will he come up with next.

The federal government has been doing this for decades as low interest loans (below cost)..

Loaning out a limited amount of CPP funds is certainly repayable, and at market rates. It would actually be a smart idea to expand CPP and make it stronger for a large soon-to-be retired generation.

Good thinkin, Jack.