Access to affordable energy/electricity is a growing global challenge that most often impacts vulnerable populations, such as low-income households, marginalized communities, and developing communities. A person or household experiencing energy poverty struggles to pay their energy bills. They may need to make decisions between heating their home and buying groceries or other essentials. Energy poverty can impact a person’s health, well-being and financial security.

The Energy Equity Strategy will include the following targets: 

• By the year 2030, we want to help decrease home heating and power problems for half of the people who have troubles today.
• By the year 2050, we want to completely get rid of home heating and power problems.
• Along the way, we are working hard to cut down on our greenhouse gas emissions.

The programs designed under the Energy Equity Strategy will focus on providing financial assistance for energy efficiency upgrades to the homes of people experiencing energy poverty, providing education on energy efficiency and the benefits of lower energy use. 

Learn more about climate equity in Calgary.

In Phase 2, we engaged the Community Panel, organizations/non-profits and non-market housing providers to get feedback on the solutions that were developed from what we heard in Phase 1.

Phase 2 of the engagement is now complete. To view the infographic summarizing the feedback received in a separate window, please click here.

The Phase 2 What We Heard Report is available here.

A Draft Strategy will be developed based on the first 2 phases of engagement. It will be open for feedback in Phase 3, beginning in June.

Please click here to view the Phase 1 What We Heard report. Click here to view the engagement at a glance infographics.

Get involved and make a difference

Are you struggling to pay your energy bills? Do you have to decide between heating your home or buying groceries? Does your home need upgrades to reduce energy costs and improve comfort?

If yes, The City of Calgary wants your help! The City is looking for people to talk about their personal challenges with heating and powering their home – and paying the bills – to keep their home comfortable, safe and healthy. Participants will get to provide input on The City’s plan to support people experiencing energy inequity.

We offer:

• payment for your time,
• food,
• interpretation,
• childcare support, and
• transportation

The opportunities:

The City is starting the conversation through a community advisory committee and four focus groups to gain an understanding of solutions that will help people with their home energy costs and comfort.

Community Panel

We are looking to form a diverse group of community members to participate on a community panel. This committee will help understand challenges, determine solutions, and provide input on the draft strategy.

• Meet three times in person between October 2023 and May 2024 for 2.5 hours per meeting.
• Review any materials provided prior to the meeting.

Focus Groups

Based on data about the communities in Calgary who are most impacted by energy poverty, we are creating five separate focus groups to understand how needs and solutions differ between communities. The groups and dates are for each of the groups. These may be subject to change depending on the number of participants:

• Indigenous Peoples - November 22
• Newcomers - November 28
• Lone parents - December 5
• Persons with Disabilities - December 11
• Collective - December 12

The focus groups will meet in person one time for 2.5 hours.

We will be using tools like surveys to hear from individuals who may not fit into the focus group audiences and capture as many perspectives as possible through the advisory committee.

The members for the advisory committee and focus groups will go through an application screening that takes about 10 minutes over the phone. We will ask some demographic questions to ensure we are getting a range of perspectives and can determine which group is the best fit for each person.