Donald Trump is hitting Ontario with new tariffs on steel and copper – a direct threat to our province’s industries and jobs. But we don’t have to take it lying down.
One of the smartest ways to fight back? Stop holding back renewable energy.
With electricity demand growing due to population growth, AI, and the electrification of our homes, industries, and transportation systems, Ontario will need more power. By unleashing low-cost solar and wind power, Ontario can not only meet this rising demand — it can protect jobs in our own steel and metals sectors.
Here’s how:
- Ontario-made steel can support the installation of solar on rooftops or over parking lots and would lower everyone’s power bills.
- Building offshore wind farms in the Great Lakes would create a double benefit: strong, steady, low-cost power and demand for locally-made turbine towers.
- Storing variable, renewable power has never been easier, but one of the best ways to do it is by coordinating with Quebec. Quebec power demand peaks on cold winter days – Ontario’s demand peaks on hot summer days. The two systems can support each other in a way that reduces costs for both and ensures a steady supply of reliable emissions-free power. By strengthening our transmission system connections with Quebec, we can also create demand for Ontario steel and copper.
Why is Doug Ford not seizing this opportunity to help our threatened steel and metals industries? Instead of boosting low-cost renewables, the Premier is betting on far-off, high-cost nuclear megaprojects.
Meanwhile, practical, cost-saving projects — like this solar-powered grocery distribution centre near Lake Simcoe — are ready to go right now.
What Ontario needs now:
- A standard offer price for rooftop and parking lot solar projects that supply electricity to the grid;
- An end to the moratorium on offshore wind projects; and
- Stronger transmission connections with Quebec.
These three steps would immediately boost demand for Ontario steel and copper; strengthen our power grid; and cut energy bills and emissions. That’s a win-win-win we can’t afford to ignore.
Don’t let Ontario miss this moment. Call on Premier Ford, Energy Minister Lecce, Opposition Leaders and your MPP to power up renewables and defend local jobs.
P.S. The worse thing Ontario can do is follow the United States off a cliff by ignoring the global shift to renewable energy. The best response to Trump’s tariffs is to power up Ontario’s renewable energy economy — creating jobs, cutting costs, and securing our future with clean, local power. This is a far better option than Doug Ford’s plan to increase our reliance on American fracked gas and American nuclear reactors that require enriched uranium fuel from the U.S. Let’s build our energy future in Ontario — not import it from the U.S.