By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
We have heard the warnings about Ontario’s demand for electricity, and according to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the province’s demand for electricity is forecast to increase by 75 per cent by 2050 – this is equivalent of adding four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the electricity grid.
This growing energy demand stems primarily from Ontario’s rapid increase in population, new manufacturing facilities, advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) data centres, the electrification of industry, and the charging energy required for electric vehicles.
It seems the Government of Ontario is now taking steps to develop options for new energy generation to meet rising energy demand. On November 27th, Energy and Electrification Minister Stephen Lecce announced he has asked Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to begin discussions with Indigenous, community, and municipal leaders on three of its existing sites.
OPG is Ontario’s largest energy generator, and owns properties at Wesleyville in Port Hope, Lambton in St. Clair, and Nanticoke in Haldimand County. These three sites are already zoned for electricity generation, have proximity to transmission, and are all in Southern Ontario, within the areas experiencing significant population growth.
Prior to the announcement, the Minister and I had two productive conversations, and he assures me this is an initial step to determine community support for all types of new energy generation, including nuclear. I trust the Minister will work with our community as we have a long-standing positive working relationship.
I was heartened the Minister invited Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley to attend the announcement in Toronto. Mayor Bentley said she is looking forward to working toward a project that will benefit the people of Haldimand County. “I was pleased to be part of Minister Lecce’s announcement…Haldimand County has the site and the infrastructure to produce new energy generation. The creation of a new fund of up to $50 million for our county, as well as an additional municipal property tax, employment in all sectors makes sense for Haldimand. I look forward to working with all involved to provide this economic development to our county.”
While the Minister’s announcement did not specify the type of energy generation for each site, he did say that all types are being examined, including nuclear. I’ve maintained that the industrial park should be reserved for industry and to provide good paying jobs to people in our community.
Last week, I reached out to you all asking that you write to a list of cabinet ministers to let them know your thoughts on Haldimand County’s request – the request of five councillors – for a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) that would green light the development proposal, which could eventually see upwards of 40,000 people living within the industrial park. That list of cabinet ministers should now include Energy Minister Lecce ([email protected])
While we were discussing the announcement, I was extremely candid with Minister Lecce regarding the development. He understood my concerns with the idea of having a city surrounded by heavy industry, and now the idea of nuclear is in that mix.
I think the government now has a decision to make. Do they issue an MZO for housing they can build in many other areas of Ontario, or do they move forward with an energy project that will provide more good paying jobs, long-term economic spinoffs, and the certainty Ontario can meet energy demands?
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk