Toronto Municipal Election 2026

Overview

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.

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.

Responses Overview

Mayor Candidate Responses

Alton Frederick

Renewables-Ready Toronto: This candidate has signed Environmental Defence’s pledge to advance local renewable energy and reduce reliance on gas-fired electricity.

Additional comments

Gong Edward

Renewables-Ready Toronto: This candidate has signed Environmental Defence’s pledge to advance local renewable energy and reduce reliance on gas-fired electricity.

Additional comments

Laura Dean

1. Question 1 (solar electricity): Yes

2. Question 2 (offshore wind): Yes

Renewables-Ready Toronto: This candidate has signed Environmental Defence’s pledge to advance local renewable energy and reduce reliance on gas-fired electricity.

Additional comments

Accelerating local solar generation by 2.8 billion kWh per year by 2030 is crucial to meeting Toronto’s Net Zero targets and phasing out fossil gas dependencies. Utilizing existing city assets, big-box rooftops, and parking lots maximizes clean energy production right where it is consumed. This strategy lowers grid strain, protects against volatile energy prices, and drives local green job creation without requiring new land development.

Toronto Hydro should investigate Lake Ontario’s offshore wind potential to meet energy demands. A preliminary feasibility study is a low-risk, evidence-based approach to assessing near-shore and far-offshore viability, costs, and environmental impacts. Securing a reliable, high-capacity winter energy source is essential for the City’s long-term energy independence and climate resilience.

Lyall Sanders

1. Question 1 (solar electricity): Yes

2. Question 2 (offshore wind): No

Renewables-Ready Toronto: This candidate has signed Environmental Defence’s pledge to advance local renewable energy and reduce reliance on gas-fired electricity.

Additional comments

Wind farms are not a good option. Solar Power is clearly the way to move forward. A bit more expensive, but much more effective. My dad, Dr. Keith Jarvis DC was promoting the idea of Solar in the 1970s. He was way ahead of his time, but the time is now, without delay. Clean, renewable, environmentally friendly Solar Power. You have my support, and my Vote.

Odessa Paloma Parker

1. Question 1 (solar electricity): Yes

2. Question 2 (offshore wind): Yes

Renewables-Ready Toronto: This candidate has signed Environmental Defence’s pledge to advance local renewable energy and reduce reliance on gas-fired electricity.

Additional comments

Robert Shusterman

Renewables-Ready Toronto: This candidate has signed Environmental Defence’s pledge to advance local renewable energy and reduce reliance on gas-fired electricity.

Additional comments

Sandeep Srivastava

Renewables-Ready Toronto: This candidate has signed Environmental Defence’s pledge to advance local renewable energy and reduce reliance on gas-fired electricity.

Additional comments