Toronto Municipal Election 2026

Overview

The Government of Ontario is planning to meet Toronto’s electricity needs by building new high-cost nuclear reactors and ramping up the output of the Portlands gas plant on our waterfront.

This will lead to higher electricity rates and more pollution.

Fortunately, we can lower our electricity bills and clear the air by investing in much lower cost wind and solar energy.

• Local rooftop and large parking lot solar could meet more than 50% of Toronto’s electricity needs.
• A Lake Ontario wind farm could produce as much electricity as the Portlands gas plant. If its turbines are located 10 to 15 km offshore, they will be barely visible from land.
• Local renewable energy will create good jobs in Toronto and increase our energy security by reducing our need to import fossil gas from the U.S.

OCAA asked candidates these two questions:

1. Should the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro develop a plan to increase local solar electricity generation by 2.8 billion kWh per year by 2030 (the equivalent of what the Portlands gas plant produced in 2024)? This could be achieved by installing more solar panels on City-owned buildings and parking lots and by encouraging local residents, big box stores and other commercial, institutional and industrial buildings to install solar.

2. Should Toronto Hydro undertake a preliminary feasibility study on the potential locations (near shore and far offshore) and costs and benefits of a Lake Ontario offshore wind farm?

BONUS: Environmental Defence’s Renewables-Ready Toronto pledge calls on municipal candidates to champion local renewable energy, like rooftop solar and battery storage, while reducing Toronto’s reliance on polluting gas-fired electricity. See which candidates have signed the pledge and committed to a cleaner, more affordable energy future for Toronto by scrolling down the page.