The Ottawa Board of Trade is…

The Ottawa Board of Trade is the voice of business and a key advocate for economic development in our Nation’s Capital. Our mission is to cultivate a thriving world class business community. One that drives affordable, inclusive, and sustainable city building and community prosperity. We work closely with our colleagues at the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce as well as key economic partners at all levels of government.

The Ottawa Board of Trade supports policies that represent a forward-thinking, inclusive, and sustainable vision for our city, one executed on the principles of fiscal prudence, innovation, planning for growth, and optimizing opportunities. It is to that end that we submit the following for the consultation on Ontario's Natural Gas Policy Statement:

Economic Growth and Energy Affordability. Natural gas continues to play an important role in Ontario's energy mix, supporting economic growth, affordability, and reliability. As the primary heating source for three-quarters of Ontarians, it provides an essential service that keeps energy costs manageable for households and businesses alike. The Ottawa Board of Trade strongly supports the government's position that the Ontario Energy Board must ensure a rational expansion of the natural gas system to support housing and economic growth.

Supporting Business and Industry. Natural gas will continue to attract new jobs in manufacturing, including the automotive industry and agriculture. Its affordability and reliability make it an important energy source for many industrial processes that are difficult or costly to electrify currently. We urge the government to maintain flexibility in energy options to support business growth and competitiveness.

Infrastructure and Reliability. The natural gas infrastructure provides a resilient and reliable energy source, delivering capacity for the energy needs of the Ottawa area which complements our electricity grid, future renewables and storage and district energy. Energy reliability is crucial for municipalities, especially during power outages or periods of high demand and the growth we are seeing in our region. We recommend that the government continue to support the maintenance and expansion of natural gas infrastructure.

Balanced Energy Transition. We strongly support the transition to lower emissions, and we believe this must be done in a realistic and balanced manner. Natural gas can play a significant role in this transition by:
1. Supporting the integration of renewable energy sources
2. Providing reliable backup for intermittent renewables
3. Facilitating the adoption of cleaner technologies like renewable natural gas (RNG) and low-carbon hydrogen.

The Ottawa Board of Trade recommends the Natural Gas Policy Statement:
1. Maintain natural gas as a key component of Ontario's long-term energy mix
2. Support the rational expansion of natural gas infrastructure to promote economic growth and housing development
3. Encourage innovation in clean fuel technologies within the existing natural gas network
4. Ensure that energy policies prioritize affordability and reliability for businesses and consumers
5. Promote a coordinated approach between natural gas utilities, electricity utilities, and the Independent Electricity System Operator to manage energy system costs, ensure reliability, and reduce emissions.

A well-planned energy transition that includes natural gas will support our communities, drive economic growth, and contribute to our climate action agenda while maintaining energy affordability and reliability.