Two of the main programs that paid households to move off oil heat have closed to new applicants this year. Natural Resources Canada's Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) page states that July 31, 2026 was the last day to apply. In Quebec, the government's Chauffez vert page for oil and propane systems says that conversion aid has not been available since March 31, 2026. Oil remains a primary heating fuel for many households in parts of Atlantic Canada, so contractors there should update their messaging.
Federal OHPA: closed to new applicants
The short answer: no new applications, but approved homeowners still have work to finish.
NRCan's page, last modified September 17, 2026, sets out the closing terms:
- Last day to apply: July 31, 2026. Applications submitted by that date are still processed.
- Final deadline: receipts and a mandatory attestation form must be uploaded by January 31, 2027. All work must be completed and paid for before then.
- Administration: the program is moving to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
- Grant: up to $10,000 for eligible heat pump systems and related costs, paid upfront after approval, and combinable with other assistance.
Eligibility required an oil-heated home, household income at or below the median after-tax household income, and a connection to an integrated electricity grid. The page notes that the program does not require oil tank removal, although safe removal was an eligible cost, and that provinces may have their own tank rules. Several provinces co-delivered the program with their own dates.
Quebec Chauffez vert: oil and propane aid ended
Quebec's page, updated March 30, 2026, states that government assistance for converting an oil or propane heating system ended on March 31, 2026, and that applications received after that date are not accepted.
The program covered central oil or propane systems, including the tank, furnace or boiler, and same-fuel water heaters converted at the same time. Replacement systems had to use electricity or a combination of renewable energies, and the work required full removal of the tank and dismantling of the furnace or boiler.
The page points homeowners to other options: Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program for high-efficiency heat pumps, the federal OHPA (now closed, as above) and municipal programs. It also states that since December 31, 2023, oil-fired heating appliances cannot be installed, replaced or majorly repaired in Quebec.
For Énergir's gas customers, the dual-energy part of Chauffez vert has been replaced by a separate program, covered in our Quebec dual-energy brief.
Key dates at a glance
The simplest way to keep staff and web pages accurate is a dated list. These are the dates stated on the two official pages as of October 2026:
| Date | What happened or is due | Source |
|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | Quebec stops allowing installation, replacement or major repair of oil-fired heating appliances | Québec.ca |
| March 31, 2026 | Last day for Chauffez vert oil and propane conversion applications | Québec.ca |
| July 31, 2026 | Last day to apply for the federal OHPA grant | NRCan |
| January 31, 2027 | OHPA final receipts and attestation due; work completed and paid | NRCan |
Provincial co-delivery partners set their own dates, so check the provincial administrator for homes outside the federally delivered provinces.
Contractor analysis: marketing to oil-heated homes after the programs
This section is FurnaceNews.ca analysis, not part of the government sources.
Clean up your pages first. Many contractor websites still promise "up to $10,000 from Ottawa" for oil conversions. After July 31, that claim misleads anyone who has not already applied. Remove or date-stamp it now.
Approved customers are a short-term priority. Households approved under OHPA must finish and pay for work, and upload receipts, by January 31, 2027. Reaching them with clear scheduling and paperwork help is genuine service, not pressure.
Remaining oil customers still need options. Without the federal grant, the decision becomes harder for many owners. Depending on the province, the realistic choices include a heat pump with whatever provincial or utility support remains, a high-efficiency replacement where local rules allow it, or a hybrid. Each region's options differ; our coverage hub lists the programs we have verified by province, with dates.
Avoid "last chance" messaging. The federal program is closed. Implying otherwise to create urgency is the kind of claim that damages trust.
For help rebuilding campaigns around what is actually available, see our dual-fuel and fuel-switching campaign service and the rest of the newsroom.
FurnaceNews.ca is a news and marketing service for heating contractors. We are not a program administrator or a heating contractor, and this is not compliance advice. Confirm deadlines with ECCC, NRCan or the Government of Quebec.
Frequently asked questions
Can homeowners still apply for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability grant?
No. Natural Resources Canada says July 31, 2026 was the last day to apply. Applications submitted by then are still being processed.
What is the deadline for homeowners already approved for OHPA?
Final receipts and the mandatory attestation form must be uploaded by January 31, 2027, and all work must be completed and paid for before that date.
Is Quebec's Chauffez vert program still open for oil furnaces?
No. Quebec's page says aid for converting an oil or propane heating system is no longer available as of March 31, 2026, and no applications received after that date are accepted.
Can oil furnaces still be installed in Quebec?
Quebec's page states that since December 31, 2023, oil-fired heating appliances cannot be installed, replaced or undergo major repairs in Quebec; only maintenance and minor repairs are allowed.