First Question
Background Information
The Government of Ontario is planning to increase the output and greenhouse gas pollution of Ontario’s gas-fired power plants by more than 300% by 2030 and by 700% by 2043 relative to 2017 levels.
If this occurs, we will lose 60% of the pollution reduction benefits that Ontario achieved by phasing out its dirty coal-fired power plants.
To support this massive increase in gas-fired power production, the Government of Ontario is planning to contract for up to 1,500 megawatts of new gas-fired electricity generation capacity.
According to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s Dunsky Report, we can cost-effectively avoid the need for new gas-fired generating capacity by a) investing in renewable energy; b) shifting electricity demand from peak to off-peak periods; and c) investing in energy storage.
A recent report from the Royal Bank of Canada makes much the same point: we can avoid the need for new gas-fired generation capacity and save at least $500 million with readily available technologies like smart thermostats and AI-enhanced heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
Question #1: Do you support the Government of Ontario’s plans to expand the generation capacity of our existing gas plants and build new gas plants?
Responses
Melissa Coenraad, NDP: NO
Gas plants are high-cost and spew greenhouse gas emissions – leading to higher electricity costs and a hotter planet.
Ontario is facing an energy crunch because of successive Conservative and Liberal governments’ mismanagement.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has warned that Ontario might not have enough energy supply to meet peak electricity demands this summer, as climate change drives temperatures even higher.
The Ontario NDP has proposed practical solutions that would help fix our province’s electricity supply in the immediate term, including:
- Working with Quebec to increase our firm power commitments
- Take advantage of the large public sector building portfolio and offer subsidies to commercial buildings to reduce peak demand
- Work with municipalities to open cooling centre facilities for those without
- Investing in affordable, clean, renewable power.
Karen McCrimmon, Liberal: NO
Not only does the Government of Ontario’s plan to increase dependency on gas plants increase greenhouse gas pollution, it makes Ontarians vulnerable to price increases and power brownouts. The environment has long been a major concern for people in Kanata-Carleton. During the past six years, the number of extreme weather events in the Ottawa area has been astounding. The flooding in 2017, 2019, and this spring. The derecho in 2022. Several tornados, including the one in Dunrobin in 2018. The tornado on Thursday that wreaked havoc on our neighbours in Barrhaven. In April, an ice storm resulted in thousands of residents in Ottawa-Gatineau being without hydro for days. In May, a severe windstorm caused another major power outage. Residents in Kanata-Carleton have been hit hard by these catastrophes. I know firsthand because my residence is on the waterfront in Constance Bay.
It’s easier to tear things down than to build them up. Following the 2018 election, one of the first things the Conservative government did was to cancel 750 renewable energy contracts at a cost of $231 million to Ontario taxpayers. Doug Ford said he was “proud” to tear up those contracts. In October, 2022, the Government of Ontario government announced that the Ontario-Quebec Electricity Trade Agreement would not be renewed when it expires on December 31st of this year. One of the aims of the Agreement was to reduce Ontario’s GHG emissions. It’s clear to me that the Government of Ontario is not interested or invested in our environment.
Subsidization of hydro is nice, but it doesn’t reduce GHG emissions. Increasing energy-efficient buildings, ensuring that our transit systems use clean energy, and installing more EV charging stations will help reduce GHG emissions. Make solar panels a standard feature for new buildings and improve energy storage from power generated. To install solar panels on an existing residence is time-consuming and expensive. Reduce paperwork and product costs without compromising safety and efficiency. Make it easier for people to recycle items such as batteries. There are so many ways to reduce GHG emissions with a coordinated and creative planning process.
We have to stop the clean tech brain drain. Too many Canadian green energy start-ups are moving to the U.S. because of hefty subsidies in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The Government of Ontario can’t stand by and leave all the heavy lifting to the federal government. As the MP for Kanata-Carleton, I established a track record of working collaboratively with stakeholders in a number of projects. I am proud of the role that I played in obtaining the funding for the environmental impact assessment that was necessary for the extension of the LRT to Kanata. I am committed to preserving green space everywhere and will do everything in my power to stop the developers with deep pockets – and no conscience – from destroying our beautiful province.
Steven Warren, Green: NO
No. I can’t get behind Doug Ford’s idea to crank up the gas plants. It’s no secret that we’re in the middle of a climate crisis, and folks here in Kanata-Carleton are feeling it first-hand. The simple truth is we can’t keep pumping money into these old, dirty fossil fuel projects—it’s just too expensive and making our environment worse. But we’ve got a better path here in Ontario. We can produce all the electricity we need without all that pollution, and we can do it cheaper. Solutions like wind and solar energy aren’t just futuristic dreams —they are real, clean, and cheaper than fossil fuels. By pairing these with ways to use energy more efficiently, we can reduce emissions, save our hard-earned money, and create good-paying, quality jobs.
Sean Webster, Progressive Conservative: (No response)
Second Question
Background Information
Thirty-four Ontario municipalities, representing almost 60% of Ontario’s population, have passed resolutions calling for the phase-out of gas power.
Energy efficiency and wind and solar energy are now Ontario’s lowest-cost options to meet our future electricity needs.
Moreover, Great Lakes wind power alone could meet more than 100% of Ontario’s electricity needs.
Since the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine, wind and solar energy must be combined with storge options that can transform wind and solar into firm 24/7 sources of electricity supply.
According to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology report, the lowest cost storage option for Ontario’s electricity system is Hydro-Quebec’s waterpower reservoirs.
Our electric vehicles’ (EVs) batteries are also a low-cost storage option for wind and solar energy. When combined with bi-directional chargers, our EVs can store surplus renewable energy when renewable generation is high and return the power back to the grid when renewable generation is below average. In 2030, the total capacity of our EVs’ batteries will be more than double the capacity of our gas plants.
Question #2: Do you believe that Ontario should meet its future electricity needs by a combination of wind, water and solar power, energy efficiency, demand management, and storage (e.g., EV batteries with bi-directional chargers and the use of Hydro Quebec’s reservoirs)?
Responses
Melissa Coenraad, NDP: YES
I do. Ontario needs a comprehensive energy plan that will meet our growing needs and our commitment to reach net-zero. That includes a focus on renewable energy sources, conservation where possible, and making infrastructure such as homes and buildings more energy efficient. I will work to make sure Ontario’s expanded grid is both adequate to our needs and affordable for ratepayers.
One of the first things Ford’s Conservatives did when after taking office was cancel renewable energy projects and rip out EV charging stations. And their latest plan relies far too much on greenhouse-gas spewing fossil fuels which will also drive utility bills even higher.
The Liberals’ decision to privatize Hydro One drove up the cost of electricity for regular Ontarians and made it harder for our province to pivot to renewables.
Karen McCrimmon, Liberal: YES
There’s no reason why Ontario’s future electricity needs can’t be met by using a variety of methods, including the use of Hydro-Quebec’s reservoirs. With creativity, determination, and a willingness to work together, we can avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Kanata’s clean tech sector is small, but it is growing and has a strong economic impact. The number of employees has doubled since 2015.
Kanata-Carleton needs more EV-charging stations. Ideally, at some point, the service will be free. Local transit should be improved as Kanata’s layout is not especially pedestrian-friendly. OC Transpo is an interprovincial service and, therefore, federally-regulated. As noted in my response to Question 1, while the MP for Kanata-Carleton, I secured the environmental assessment funding required for the extension of the LRT to Kanata. As an MPP, I would continue to work with the federal and municipal governments to improve clean energy options, including better public transit, for the residents of Kanata-Carleton.
Commercial energy demand management is obviously a huge factor. On the micro level, I think the same is true for all of us. We have more agency that we realize when it comes to reducing our energy consumption at home. As the MPP for Kanata-Carleton I will work tirelessly to ensure residents have access to the information and resources they need to reduce their carbon footprint.
Steven Warren, Green: YES
Yes. The climate crisis isn’t the problem of tomorrow—it’s here, and it’s real. Ontario can’t just keep throwing money at old, dirty energy; that’s only making things worse. We’ve got to focus on clean, renewable energy and smarter ways to use it. Join me, and we’ll power Ontario in a way that’s both affordable and doesn’t make our climate mess even worse. And with more folks switching to electric cars, and things like bi-directional chargers can be a real game-changer for our energy needs. I’m proud to push for innovative and cleaner solutions here in Kanata-Carleton. It’s about protecting our homes and making sure we’re using our tax dollars wisely.