ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE AND COMMUNITY ACTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

The Ottawa Renewables-Ready Pledge lets voters see exactly where candidates stand.

Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People — Environmental Defence Canada and Community Action for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES Ottawa) are calling on all Ottawa municipal election candidates to sign the Ottawa Renewables-Ready Pledge, committing to champion affordable renewable energy and battery storage over polluting gas-fired electricity generation.

The pledge outlines three priorities for Ottawa’s next City Council: supporting responsibly sited renewable energy and storage, opposing new or expanded fossil-gas electricity projects and establishing clear local standards for new energy projects that protect communities and secure local benefits. With Ontario’s next major electricity procurement expected in 2027, the next Council will have the power to decide which projects can move forward in Ottawa, and what projects cannot. The pledge aims to help Ottawa prepare for these decisions while giving voters a clear picture of where their candidates stand on the city’s energy future.

“At a time when governments across Canada are backsliding on climate action, our nation’s capital has an opportunity to lead. Ottawa needs municipal leaders who will champion affordable renewable energy over polluting fossil fuels,” said Emily Hunter, senior program manager for Ontario climate at Environmental Defence Canada. “The next Council will face important decisions about how the grid is powered, and voters deserve to know where their candidates stand. It’s time for Ottawa to help lead Canada’s transition away from fossil fuels.”

“Ottawa doesn’t need new gas plants, whether they’re pitched to fill provincial procurements or to power AI data centres. Every gas plant built today locks in decades of pollution our kids will pay for,” added Angela Keller-Herzog, executive director at CAFES Ottawa. “If tech companies want to set up here, they should bring new clean power with them. The good news is that solar, wind and battery storage are now the affordable choice, and the next council will have a real say in which projects get built here. Voters should know who’s ready to say yes to clean energy and no to gas.”

Ottawa residents can see which candidates have signed the pledge so far HERE.

Additional candidates can still sign the pledge HERE.

Background

  • The pledge’s three commitments: 1. Support responsibly sited wind, solar, battery storage and other non-emitting energy projects with meaningful community and Indigenous engagement. 2. Oppose new or expanded gas-fired electricity generation. 3. Establish clear municipal standards for reviewing energy projects. Signing the pledge does not mean automatically approving individual projects.
  • Call to action for candidates: Growing support for the pledge among Ottawa candidates, including eight sitting councillors and two mayoral candidates.
  • Why it matters now: Ontario’s next electricity procurement is expected to bring energy project proposals before municipal councils in early 2027. Municipal support is needed for projects to be successful in the provincial procurement process.
  • Affordable clean energy: Ontario’s latest procurement secured 1,115 MW of new wind and solar generation at an average price of approximately $88/MWh, alongside 640 MW of battery storage, while no gas plant proposals were awarded contracts, demonstrating the competitiveness of renewable energy and storage.
  • Ottawa’s climate commitments: The pledge supports the city’s Climate Change Master Plan and Energy Evolution strategy, which target net-zero community emissions by 2050 and net-zero corporate emissions by 2040.

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.

ABOUT COMMUNITY ACTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY (cafesottawa.ca): CAFES is one of Ottawa’s leading environmental sustainability networks, reaching thousands of supporters across more than 50 neighbourhoods in all 24 wards. CAFES is a strong local voice working with communities to make Ottawa greener and healthier.

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

Carolyn Townend
Environmental Defence
media@environmentaldefence.ca

Angela Keller-Herzog
CAFES Ottawa
akellerherzog@cafesottawa.ca