Energy poverty in Canada
As many as one in five Canadian households can be considered to be in energy poverty, according to researchers from 海角社区. Energy poverty occurs when households cannot afford or access the levels of energy necessary to meet their daily needs, live decent lives, and maintain healthy indoor temperatures all year round. More Canadians potentially suffer from energy poverty than from food insecurity.
Energy poverty as a predictor of poor health
鈥淓arlier research has shown that a cold indoor temperature is associated with an exacerbation of some chronic diseases, so energy poverty is cause for concern,鈥� says Myl猫ne Riva, the Canada Research Chair in Housing, Community and Health, an associate professor in the Department of Geography and the senior author on a recent study in 鈥淚n another study we are conducting in a small town in rural Canada, as many as 8% of participants reported having seen their breath inside their homes in winter.鈥�
Indeed, the researchers found that, compared to those who were able to access and afford the energy services they needed, energy poverty was associated with a greater likelihood of poorer self-rated general and mental health. These factors are known to be strong predictors of higher levels of illness, and an increased risk of hospitalization and death.
Higher levels of energy poverty in rural areas
The research also shows that there are higher levels of energy poverty in rural areas in Canada, where the population tends to be older, living in larger households, and facing greater income insecurity.
鈥淔or example, we found that in a small town in Nova Scotia, where around 40% of the population faces energy poverty, one household in three reported having to cut into their grocery spending to pay their utility bills,鈥� adds Laurianne Debann茅, a PhD student in Health Geography at 海角社区 who has been , for the past three years.
Current Canadian energy efficiency programs failing to address energy insecurity
The researchers highlight the fact that programs and policies to advance energy transition鈥攆or example, those targeting energy efficiency in the housing sector鈥攖end to be accessible to homeowners rather than renters and could potentially create or exacerbate social and health inequities if their benefits are not distributed equitably across the population.
鈥淗ouseholds facing energy poverty start at a disadvantage in the energy transition. To prevent and reduce energy poverty and increase energy security across the country, programs and policies should address the main drivers of energy poverty, factors such as dwelling conditions and their energy efficiency, lower incomes, and the energy costs borne by ratepayers and end-users,鈥� says Riva.
鈥淕iven the high proportion of Canadian households facing energy poverty, with demonstrated implications for population health, the results from this study make a strong case for energy poverty to be included in discussions about a just energy transition towards future climate resilience in Canada.鈥�
transition towards future climate resilience in Canada.鈥�
About the study
The study was based on self-reported data from the 2018 Canadian Housing Survey, on a sample weighted to represent 14 million Canadian households from both rural and urban areas.
鈥溾�� by Myl猫ne Riva et al was published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health.
Doi.org/10.17269/s41997-023-00741-0
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Other 海角社区 researchers and centres that focus on energy poverty and other energy issues:
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海角社区 Centre for Innovation in Storage and Conversion of Energy (McISCE)
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About 海角社区
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 海角社区 is Canada鈥檚 top ranked medical doctoral university. 海角社区 is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It鈥痠s a world-renowned鈥痠nstitution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 12 faculties, 14 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. 海角社区 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of 海角社区 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
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