As a public health…

As a public health professional in Ontario, I am very concerned about the health impacts of burning fossil fuels. Epidemiology tells us that air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills 6,600 Ontarians prematurely every year. This is as many deaths as was caused by covid-19 during the height of the pandemic.

In terms of the priorities for the Integrated Energy Plan, please see below as outlined by The Atmospheric Fund:
1. Setting economy-wide emission reduction targets is critical to aligning Ontario’s energy strategy with the broader goal of achieving net zero emissions. As TAF has previously highlighted, the absence of clear, long-term carbon targets in Ontario’s energy strategy risks undermining progress and diminishing the province’s clean energy advantage. These overall targets should be supported by specific technology adoption targets (e.g. heat pumps, electric vehicles, etc.) that cover all sectors of the economy – energy production, transportation, buildings, and industry – ensuring a comprehensive approach to decarbonization. This provides a clear roadmap that offers businesses and investors certainty about the province’s energy strategy, encouraging innovation and investment in clean technologies and, more broadly, in Ontario.

2. Additionally, the plan must set a pathway for reducing reliance on and ultimately phasing out natural gas, both from our electricity grid and as the primary source of energy for space and water heating. Electrification should not come at the expense of Ontario’s low-carbon grid.

3. Another key opportunity is to increase transparency. More data and accountability are needed to support better decision-making and track progress. Businesses, customers, utilities, and the government need access to the right tools and data to make informed decisions, optimize energy use, and ensure that policies are on track. By improving the collection and accessibility of data, we can enhance collaboration, enable better planning, and foster a more efficient and responsive energy system.

4. Finally, the process to design and implement this plan must reflect the challenge of effectively integrating our natural gas and electricity systems. Integrated energy planning is long overdue in this province and will require sustained effort as well as input and oversight from independent energy professionals. The province has provided a vision of Ontario’s energy future; they must now ensure that its energy experts are empowered with autonomy and space to fully realize that vision.