Should Saskatoon Offer Low-Interest Loans for Building Energy Upgrades?
Official title: Community Energy Loan Program (CELP)
Saskatoon is designing a loan program to help commercial and apartment building owners pay for energy upgrades. Think better insulation, solar panels, or water-saving fixtures. The city wants feedback from building owners and property managers on how the program should work before presenting it to Council in 2026.
Why This Matters
Live in an older apartment building? Your landlord might use this program to upgrade heating or insulation. That could mean lower utility bills passed on to you. Building owners could also add solar panels or cut water waste without huge upfront costs.
What Could Change
The city could launch a low-interest loan program in summer 2026. Building owners would borrow money for energy retrofits and pay it back over time. Special partnerships with affordable housing providers may be included to help lower-income buildings qualify.
Key Issues
- What loan terms and conditions would work best for building owners?
- How can the program partner with affordable housing providers?
- What types of energy and water improvements should be eligible?
How to Participate
- Complete the online survey to share your feedback on the program design. The survey is available until December 19, 2025.
- Contact the Sustainability team by email at sustainability@saskatoon.ca or by phone at (306) 986-3733 with questions or comments.
- Send written feedback by mail to: Community Energy Loan Program (CELP), Sustainability, City of Saskatoon, 222 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0J5.