Statement by Keith Brooks, Programs Director

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Ontario’s commitment to move forward with an integrated and longer-term energy plan, announced this morning, is a step forward. This “plan to plan” indicates that the provincial government has come a long way from the ideologically-driven cancellation of over 750 clean power projects and the days of removing EV chargers. This speaks to the undeniable opportunity presented by the energy transition.

However, any praise for Ontario’s new commitment to energy planning must be tempered by the move this government made almost six years ago to remove the requirement for Ontario to issue Long Term Energy Plans every three years. The last Long Term Energy Plan published by the Province of Ontario in 2017 provided the energy sector, municipalities, stakeholders and the public with a roadmap for energy investments. This new document is also very thin on details. Ultimately, it will be judged based on where the province lands on a number of policies, including the role of natural gas in Ontario.

Eight months ago the Ontario government announced that a natural gas policy statement would be forthcoming, but this “plan” still does not deliver on this commitment and in fact suggests an outdated approach moving forward. That is, the latest plan alludes to future natural gas expansions with the statement that “work is underway to explore how to continue [the Natural Gas Expansion Program] and provide financial support and affordable home heating to more communities.”

We caution the province against looking for ways to further expand the natural gas pipeline network, which we will oppose with our supporters at each step. Heat pumps are a more affordable heating option and should be the default in any home, new or existing, that is looking to reduce heating costs and upgrade HVAC equipment.

While this morning’s announcement is a step forward, we encourage the Ontario government to commit to consulting extensively on their integrated plan by delivering public open houses, stakeholder sessions and Indigenous engagement in addition to the usual Environmental Registry posting.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Tamara Latinovic, Environmental Defence
media@environmentaldefence.ca