Prioritize development of clean utility-scale and local electricity supply and pursue all cost-effective demand-side measures 

• Direct the IESO to provide rated criteria points for non-emitting resources in future bulk system electricity procurements.
• Direct the IESO and Enbridge to urgently pursue all cost-effective electrification, energy efficiency, and demand-side management measures in the 2025-2036 Electricity Energy Efficiency Framework, and include new construction.
• Remove barriers limiting renewable energy development, such as:
  • End the offshore wind moratorium
  • Extend Community Net Metering province-wide
  • Increase the microgeneration threshold from 10 kW to at least 20 kW

The continued reliance on natural gas for electricity generation will increase emissions and air pollution. These risks leave future generations responsible for stranded assets when gas plants will not be permitted to operate.

Instead, investing in clean energy, storage, and efficiency would maintain Ontario’s clean grid advantage, attracting investment from companies who need to meet their ESG requirements.

Modernize the Ontario Building Code (OBC).

The Ontario Building Code should be updated to include:

• Alignment with Tier 2 of the 2020 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings and Tier 4 of the National Building Code 
• EV readiness requirements
• A schedule for updating to the highest tiers of the national codes to provide regulatory certainty for industry.

Requiring high efficiency new home construction will reduce the impact of population growth on services and the environment.

Efficient homes also reduce home energy bills, create efficiencies for municipalities with tight budgets, while promoting jobs in the trades.

Accelerate electric vehicle adoption with strategic funding.

• Renew funding for Ontario’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Program and expand it to include multi-family buildings and fast charging in urban areas.
• Purchase incentives for new and used EVs for low- and modest-income households.
• Tax credits or rebates for the purchase of MHDV charging infrastructure and vehicles.
• Integrate smart charging incentives in Ontario’s new Electricity Energy Efficiency Framework.

Over the last couple of years, Ontario has spent billions of dollars in incentives to attract EV manufacturing plants. By committing a small fraction of that amount to support local EV adoption, the government can ensure that more of the EVs produced in Ontario are purchased by residents. Accelerating EV adoption in Ontario will attract more EV supply chain investments, reduce urban air pollution, and allow low- and middle-income Ontarians to save money at the fuel pump.