NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo backs Heat Pump Campaign to Fight Climate Change

August 8, 2024

Coquitlam – On Wednesday, NDP Critic for Infrastructure and Communities MP Bonita Zarrillo signed onto the Universal Heat Pump Program pledge to promote heat pumps in homes across the country. With built-in tenant protections, this program can fight climate change, make home heating more affordable, and save lives.

“Under the Liberal government Canadians are still waiting for climate action. With rising temperatures Canadians need affordable climate-control in their homes now.” MP Zarrillo said, “this is about ensuring that everyone can stay safely in their own home during extreme heat. A Universal Heat Pump Program would help prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While Canadians look for climate leadership, the Liberals continue to provide billions in corporate handouts to the oil and gas sector and rich CEOs who continue to make the climate crisis worse. While the Liberals drag their feet, and the Conservatives act as if climate change isn’t real, Canadians continue to experience heatwaves, fires, floods and droughts.

Atiya Jaffar, Interim Canada Team lead at 350.org, who started the pledge campaign, said: “We’re thrilled that MP Zarrillo has listened to her constituents and pledged to fight for a Universal Heat Pump Program. She clearly understands the benefits of heat pumps and sees that we need to move beyond piecemeal rebate programs to make sure everyone can access this life-saving, money-saving climate solution at the speed and scale the climate crisis demands. Local Heat Pumps for All organizer, Sara Hall stated “A Universal Heat Pump Program is the kind of bold action we need to tackle the climate crisis and the affordability crisis at the same time, and I’m glad that MP Zarrillo has pledged to fight for it.”

“I got involved in the “Heat Pumps for All” campaign because everyday people need protection, and should not have to shoulder the burden of climate change while fossil fuel companies rake in billions in profits,” MP Zarrillo said.