In one of its first moves, the newly elected government of Ontario has scrapped the popular Green Ontario Fund, which had been created in August of 2017 by the previous government as a means to help Ontario residents to renovate and upgrade residences in ways that would reduce their utility bills and their carbon footprints.

At the time of its creation less than a year ago, it had been hoped that the $377 million Green Ontario Fund would contribute to the creation of 30,000 potential jobs as part of the province’s Climate Change Action Plan. It was expected then that insulation manufacturers, energy auditors, contractors and others in the construction industry would experience job growth as a result of the fund.

The cancelled programs include GreenON installations, GreenON solar rebates and GreenON modern wood heating pilots, as well as GreenON rebates for air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, insulation, energy-efficient windows, smart thermostats and GreenON Social Housing.

“We were told today, that it would end today,” said a GreenOn Customer Service Representative who did not wish to be named. “Those who wish to sign up for any of the programs will have to have a contract in place for the work by midnight tonight and have the work completed by the end of August to qualify.”

This move from the Ford government comes on the heels of an announcement yesterday (Monday, Jun. 18, 2018) that it was implementing a hiring freeze in the public sector.

Local MPP Ian Arthur could not be reached for comment.

More to come as this story develops.