EFC and Habitat for Humanity Canada: Building Stronger Communities Together
By Electro-Federation Canada
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) members have a long-standing commitment to supporting the communities where they live and work, and that commitment is clearly demonstrated through the association’s ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada. Since 2017, Habitat Canada has been EFC’s Charity of Choice, reflecting a shared focus on advancing housing affordability, social equity, and economic opportunity across the country.
Through cash and product donations, as well as hands-on volunteerism, EFC member companies actively support Habitat programs that help families access the stability and security of affordable homeownership. These efforts contribute to improved health, education, and financial outcomes while strengthening communities nationwide.
On October 6, 2025, World Habitat Day, EFC members and their business partners participated in the fifth annual EFC Day of Giving campaign. The 2025 campaign raised $861,717 in cash and product, representing the highest total since 2022. These funds will support Habitat Canada’s national Critical Repairs, Indigenous Housing Partnership, Sustainability, and Youth Skills Building programs, all of which are designed to help families break the cycle of housing insecurity and build lasting change.
Habitat Canada’s Critical Repairs program focuses on addressing urgent health and safety issues in existing homes, supporting homeowners, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. By maintaining safe and livable housing, the program also helps preserve Canada’s housing stock and enables people to remain in their homes with dignity.
Through its Indigenous Housing Partnerships, Habitat Canada works closely with Indigenous governments, community leaders, and local partners to deliver home construction, repair, rehabilitation, and skills training initiatives. These partnerships are shaped by the values and priorities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and are intended to help close the housing gap through locally driven solutions.
Sustainability is an essential component of Habitat Canada’s housing strategy. By incorporating energy-efficient features into new builds, Habitat Canada homes reduce energy consumption, lower utility costs for homeowners, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, more than half of Habitat homes built in Canada achieved a 31 per cent reduction in energy consumption and a 38 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 2015 National Building Code.
Habitat Canada’s Youth Skills Building program provides young people with hands-on training on active build sites, introducing them to careers in construction and the skilled trades while creating a connection to the housing affordability crisis in their communities. Delivered in partnership with school boards, colleges, and community organizations, the program emphasizes technical training, mentorship, and career preparedness.
In addition to financial and product contributions, EFC members donated more than 1,000 volunteer hours in 2025 on Habitat Canada build sites and in Habitat ReStores across Canada. These group engagement opportunities are available to organizations that contribute $10,000 or more and offer a meaningful way for teams to support local communities.
On September 30, 2025, members of the EFC team participated in a Habitat Build Day in Caledon, Ontario. After being outfitted with personal protective equipment and completing a safety briefing, the team worked alongside Habitat Canada staff assembling wood framing for a future homeowner. While physically demanding, the experience served as a rewarding team-building opportunity and a powerful reminder of the impact of collective effort.
As part of Habitat Canada’s Affordable Ownership Program, future homeowners are also active participants in the process, contributing 500 volunteer hours toward the construction of their new homes.
Housing affordability has reached a critical tipping point in Canada. For the third consecutive year, housing insecurity has ranked among Canadians’ top concerns, alongside inflation and access to health care. Habitat Canada reports that 84 per cent of Canadians now view homeownership as a luxury, while 88 per cent of renters believe it is out of reach.
Through its partnership with Habitat Canada, EFC, together with the generous support of its members, is helping to improve housing outcomes and restore hope for hundreds of Canadian families each year. At EFC, there is a shared belief that a safe and affordable home is fundamental to building a better life. Member contributions of products, financial support, and volunteer time continue to empower families and strengthen communities across Canada.
For more information about EFC’s Charity of Choice or to learn how to get involved, visit https://www.electrofed.com/about/habitat/.
