efficiencynb.ca

The government of New Brunswick offers energy efficiency programs and incentives targeting industrial, business, and individual customers. A number of programs are available, including the Business Rebate, Industrial Energy Efficiency, Commercial Building Retrofit, and Total Home Energy Savings Program.

Industrial Energy Efficiency Program

This program aims to help industries to improve energy efficiency, save on maintenance and costs, and minimize environmental pollution. Incentives are available for projects in areas such as fuel switching, energy intensity reduction, compressed air, refrigeration, and process improvements. Incentives are offered to both large and small industries, covering 50 percent of the eligible costs.

Business Rebate Program

Another initiative to improve energy efficiency and minimize greenhouse gas emissions, the Business Rebate Program offers incentives to assist companies with upgrading and updating lighting, refrigeration, and other equipment. Eligible candidates include small industrial General Service 2 or 1 rate schedule, including places of worship and agricultural sites. Only businesses that are found in New Brunswick are eligible provided that the project they seek to implement aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lowers energy use by replacing current equipment. For dairy and agricultural farm projects, examples of equipment upgrades include dual and natural ventilation, agriculture heat pads, heat reclaimer units, and circulation fans. Water heating rebate measures cover upgrades such as natural gas water heaters and high efficiency circulation pumps. Rebates are also offered for refrigeration equipment, motors, LED lighting controls, LED lighting, kitchen equipment, HVAC, and compressed air upgrades.

Commercial Building Retrofit Program

This program aims to assist businesses to improve safety and comfort, save on maintenance and energy, and minimize pollution. Building types that are eligible under the program include mixed-use residential and commercial, municipality owned, institutional and commercial buildings, added capacities, and occupancy changes. Ineligible projects are federally owned sites, manufacturing facilities, and residential buildings such as townhouses, duplexes, and houses.

Financial Resources

Refresh and Neo Financial brought to you by Creditcardforbadcredit.ca

Measures that are eligible include such that have been approved and tested by bodies such as the American Society of Heating or the Canadian Standards Association. The list of saving measures includes replacement equipment, water heating, energy management controls systems, and exterior and interior lighting. There are also measures that are considered ineligible, including electronic and portable equipment, household appliances, and unproven and new technologies. All buildings are subject to a comprehensive audit to assess whether they can meet the energy reduction requirements.

Total Home Energy Savings Program

Targeting households, the Total Home Energy Savings Program provides incentives for improvements such as central heating systems, air-sealing, and upgrades. Homeowners are asked to submit an application form and provide information such as location, service organization, and electric utility. Properties that are eligible under the program include row, side-by-side, detached, and single family homes provided that they are up to three stories high. To qualify, all properties must have a bathroom, kitchen, automated heating system, and exterior and interior finishes.

Certain properties are not eligible, such being commercial buildings, multi-unit condominiums, and camps and cottages not lived in. This also holds for properties for which evaluation cannot be made, including construction in progress, major renovation, and uninhabitable.

Primary upgrades that qualify for incentives include water and space heating equipment, main wall and basement insulation, and ceiling and attic insulation. There are also qualifying add-ons such as basement slab, exposed floor, and basement header insulation and drain water heat recovery. Solar PV may also qualify provided that applicants include details such as the wattage of each panel, total number of panels, model number, and manufacturer.

The government of New Brunswick delivers services to businesses and the general public in fields such as social assistance, housing, childcare, education, and health. The main decision-making authority is the legislative assembly which has 49 members, representing individual constituencies.

Legislative Assembly and Committees

The Assembly appoints legislative committees which are established to deal with technical or more complex matters. They are smaller in size than the assembly which enables members to discuss issues in more details. The committees often hold discussions on behalf of the legislature when it comes to more detailed investigations or studies, bills, or consulting the general public.

There are standing and select committees, examples of the latter being the Committee on Legislative Reform and Committee on Public Universities. They are appointed to deliberate on particular inquiries, tasks, or matters.

Services

Social Assistance Program

Social Development offers services to persons with low incomes to help them with basic needs such as clothing, utilities, rent, and food. To apply, residents are asked to provide information such as assets, income, social insurance number, and Medicare number.

Disability Support Program

The government also runs a disability support program to offer assistance to persons with impairments, except for those with disabilities resulting from gambling, nicotine, alcohol, and drug addictions. The types of supports offered under the program include transportation, personal assistance and supports, respite, home support workers, residential facility services, and personal living skills training.

Emergency Social Services

Social workers in New Brunswick are tasked with arranging for financial support, referrals to regional offices, crisis counseling, and assessments.

Services to Senior Citizens

The government offers services and programs such as the Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit and Property Tax Deferral Program for Seniors and medical and ambulance services. Medical services for seniors include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, therapeutic services, and diagnostics.

Addiction Services

Addiction services regional offices are tasked with activities that assist individuals with addictions such as gambling, drugs, and alcohol. They offer treatment and prevention services such as long-term and short-term residential, outpatient counselling, and detoxification. These services are available to residents from all age groups but in some areas, educational programs specifically target senior citizens.

Extra-Mural Program

This program is designed to offer a variety of healthcare services to help individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle and to provide palliative care. Professionals that offer care services under the program include:

• Rehabilitation assistants
• Speech language pathologists
• Social workers
• Respiratory therapists
• Psychotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Licensed practical nurses
• Registered nurses
• Registered dieticians

Services for Businesses

The government provides a number of services to assist businesses, including incentives and programs such as Agriculture an Aquaculture Industry Programs, Research and Development Tax Credit, and Small Business Investor Tax Credit. Scientific Research and Experimental Development incentives are available for basic and applied research, experimental development, and support work. The latter includes testing, data collection, computer programming, mathematical analysis, operational research, design, and engineering, as well as psychological research. Experimental development refers to technological innovations that aim to improve or develop new processes, products, devices, and materials. Eligible expenses include capital and current expenditures such as overhead costs, equipment, materials, and salaries and wages. The New Brunswick’s Research and Development Tax Credit covers eligible expenditures as specified under the Income Tax Act.

Founded back in 1785, the University of New Brunswick is a public institution of higher learning with campuses in Saint John and Fredericton. With a student population of about 11,000, the university offers graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 30 fields, including Law, Environmental and Natural Resources, Education, Computer Science, and Applied Arts.

Undergraduate Studies

The Faculty of Management offers programs in Economics and Finance, Accounting, International Business, and Human Resources Management. Students enrolled in Economics and Finance gain knowledge and understanding of basic financial principles and institutions and general economic trends. Possible career paths for graduates include:

• Insurance agent
• Claims adjuster
• Actuary
• Credit analyst
• Project manager
• Asset researcher
• Asset manager
• Securities salesperson

The Faculty of Science, Applied Science, and Engineering Department features programs in Mechanical, Geodesy and Geomatics, Geological, Electrical, Civil, and Chemical Engineering. The Geological Engineering program teaches students about the importance of energy and mineral and water resources and their responsible use and protection. Graduates can choose from different employment opportunities in sectors such as environmental protection, exploration of groundwater, energy, and minerals, and environmental and geoscientific consulting. Students enrolled in the program gain understanding across topics such as engineering hydrogeology, rock mechanics, and the age, evolution, and origin of the Earth.

The Faculty of Science, Applied Science, and Engineering also offers degrees in Respiratory Therapy and Radiology, with graduates working in air quality testing facilities, research labs, home care services, and public health clinics. Young professionals also find employment in rehabilitation centres, hospitals, and pharmaceutical and equipment sales.

Graduate Studies

The University of New Brunswick features graduate programs across multiple fields, including Political Science, Business Administration, Health Services Research, and Quantitative Investment Management. Courses in psychology, biology, chemistry, biology, and other disciplines are available.

Financial Aid

Students are eligible to apply for provincial and federal funding and provincial loans, scholarships, and bursaries. Financial aid is available through the Student Abroad Bursary Program and UNB Special Bursary Program. Graduate students who are enrolled full-time are eligible to apply for bursary of up to $500. A work-study program is also offered in liaison with the Student Employment Service and Financial Aid Office. Only students with GPA of 2.0 or higher and a demonstrated financial need are eligible.

A variety of services are also available, including student, conference, and dining services, facilities management, childcare, and communications and marketing.

Student Life and Recreation

Students are welcome to join a variety of clubs and societies and sports and recreational activities, including community programs and club and varsity sports. The Athletics Centre can be used by all students free of charge and features throwing and track areas and an artificial field, along with a multi-purpose room, fitness room, and three gyms. The university also offers wellness webinars and virtual classes, including virtual yoga and tabata and club sports such as rugby, hockey, football, and field hockey. Athletes can choose from three varsity sports – volleyball, soccer, and basketball.