Detailed responses to the…

Detailed responses to the consultation questions are provided in the attached document, and the following is a summary of overarching themes:

Clearing a Path
The path to decarbonization requires a clear vision from the Province on its priorities and objectives for long-term goals. Reaching these goals in a time-efficient manner needs an effective framework for planning, procurement, permitting, and buildout. This includes streamlining processes, reducing regulations on siting, ensuring continuity of regulatory requirements, and establishing regulations that enable rapid response and decisions.

Collaboration
The energy ecosystem must be looked at holistically in the government’s approach to decarbonization. Engagement with stakeholders, energy producers, utilities, innovators, the public and Indigenous communities should begin early in the siting process and be conducted in a timely and accountable manner. Working with the federal government will be a key component to streamlining processes, eliminating regulation duplication, and establishing an enabling regulatory framework.

Cost Effectiveness
For the electricity system to be cost-efficient, planning in the long-term is essential with projects calculated closely for their output, return on their costs over time, and their potential to secure investments. The Province must work collaboratively to ensure that a plan is put in place to address how these necessary investments will be funded.

Innovation
The province can benefit from fostering an ecosystem of technology development and adoption – both from new efficient generation and infrastructure technologies as well as the potential for returns from scaling Ontario-based companies. Innovative smart infrastructure, demand-side management, and energy storage options can improve grid capacity in the short- and long- term. It is important to note that consideration must be given toward the skilled workforce that will be required to enable Ontario’s path to decarbonization, and to ensure that proper policies and strategies are in place to prepare the labour market.