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.

We 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?

Responses Overview

Toronto Centre Candidate Responses

Chris Moise

1. Question 1 (solar electricity): Yes

2. Question 2 (offshore wind): Yes

Additional comments

Curran Stikuts

1. Question 1 (solar electricity): Yes

2. Question 2 (offshore wind): Yes

Additional comments

Climate action is a core part of the platform I’m running in Toronto Centre. We know that our city must keep investing in climate resiliency and reducing emissions, including feasibility studies for options like offshore wind farms to ensure we can meet our energy needs.

Many Toronto residents live in apartments or condominiums and cannot install rooftop panels themselves, and we need a solution for that. Once provincial electrical-safety standards are established, I will support a Toronto balcony-solar pilot so the work can begin quickly.

We need to cut emissions while protecting people from dangerous heat, flooding and the rising cost of keeping their homes safe and comfortable. Toronto has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2040, but that target will mean little without the funding and accountability required to reach it. As City Councillor, I will fight to fund TransformTO fully. That’s responsible leadership for a sustainable future.

Nicki Ward – Councillor Candidate Ward 13 / Toronto Centre

1. Question 1 (solar electricity): Yes

2. Question 2 (offshore wind): Yes

Additional comments

Think Globally, act locally. In this case Toronto Centre, ward 13.

As an active environmentalist and the former CEO of the largest housing co op in Canada, I directed millions of dollars into deep energy retrofits. I oversaw the modernization of aging mechanical systems, cut baseline consumption, improved insulation for 1,000 residents and upgraded to energy efficient appliances. We demonstrated that large-scale retrofits work when backed by disciplined capital execution and close coordination with utility partners.

I strongly support both initiatives. Increasing local solar generation to 2.8 billion kWh by 2030 and studying Lake Ontario offshore wind are necessary steps to replace peak reliance on gas plants. Expanding commercial rooftop installations, residential solar, and parking canopy arrays creates local energy security and protects downtown communities in Ward 13 from worsening waterfront air quality.

All of which supports energy independence and our environment. At City Hall, I will bring executive oversight to make sure the City treats distributed renewable energy as essential public infrastructure.

Victoria Davis

1. Question 1 (solar electricity): Yes

2. Question 2 (offshore wind): Yes

Additional comments

The timing for renewable energy is more urgent than ever, with looming wars, a super El Niño, and a worsening climate crisis. I would like to see studies and proposals for even more innovative ways to source energy.