Dear Minister Smith, I am…

Dear Minister Smith,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to express our support for the Ministry of Energy’s Supporting Critical Transmission Infrastructure in Northeast and Eastern Ontario regulatory proposal. We strongly advocate for prioritizing the development of the three new transmission lines in Northeast and Eastern Ontario by Hydro One, given the pressing need for such infrastructure.

As economic growth and electrification drive an increasing demand for electricity in northern and eastern Ontario, it is clear that a robust and resilient transmission infrastructure is essential for further investment, job creation in Ontario. Developing the adequate infrastructure to meet the needs on the horizon will come at great expense and is not without practical challenges. For instance, while the federal government’s investment tax credits for clean electricity and clean technology will cushion some capital costs of new resources, the ten-year window to take advantage of this credit is tight, given the long-lead time for some greenfield or brownfield transmission project, and the new assets it connects to. Provincial and municipal support will be needed to accelerate planning, siting, and permitting processes.

Prioritizing this infrastructure benefits not only businesses but also the broader community. It is crucial that all levels of government collaborate effectively to ensure our critical infrastructure aligns with both the present and future demands. We view the current regulatory posting as a positive indicator of proactive measures being taken, and praise the proposed expansion of the transmission infrastructure as a significant step forward.

Sincerely,