Ottawa-Vanier and Orleans provincial by-elections
We asked the candidates in the two Ottawa area provincial by-elections if Ontario should sign a long-term contract with Hydro Quebec for water power to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution and lower our electricity bills.
The Green Party candidates, Benjamin Koczwarski (Ottawa-Vanier) and Andrew West (Orleans), both said “yes”.
Manon Parrot, the NDP candidate in Orleans, said that the NDP “will make Ontario a net-zero emitter by 2050, and cut emissions by 50% before 2030.”
Lucille Collard, the Liberal candidate in Ottawa-Vanier, said “it is important to work collaboratively with all levels of Government in order to expand electricity trade where possible.”
Myriam Djilane, the NDP candidate in Ottawa-Vanier, said “The Ontario NDP urges the IESO and the OEB to properly assess the costs, benefits and risks – including the impact on GHG emissions and costs for Ontario ratepayers – of signing a deal with Quebec as an alternative to new gas-fired generation.”
The Progressive Conservative candidates and the Liberal candidate for Orleans did not respond.
To see the candidates’ complete responses, please click here.
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the GHG pollution from Ontario’s gas-fired power plants will increase by more than 300% by 2025 and by more than 400% by 2040.
The rise in the gas plants’ GHG pollution between 2017 and 2025 is forecast to be 8.2 million tonnes per year. This is double the forecast annual GHG pollution of Teck’s proposed Frontier Tar Sands Mine (4.1 million tonnes per year).
According to Ontario’s Auditor General, Ontario needs to reduce its GHG pollution by an additional 7.3 to 14 million tonnes per year to achieve its 2030 climate target. The good news is that by investing in energy efficiency and buying Quebec water power, Ontario could phase-out its gas plants and obtain all or almost all of the GHG pollution reductions that it needs to achieve its 2030 climate target.
– Angela Bischoff, Director