Ontario’s Natural Gas Decisions
Jack Gibbons from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance provided a presentation on the electricity decisions that will increase Ontario’s electricity GHG emissions as a result of increased generation from natural gas plants. He also spoke to what this means for Ontario communities. Specifically, the lower cost and cleaner alternatives available to keep electricity bills low; the emerging distributed energy transition, and the objective of phasing out gas electricity generation in order to meet our 2030 GHG reduction targets.
- Recording of Webinar
- PDF of Presentation
- Draft Resolution for Municipal Councils
- Natural Gas Phase Out FAQ
- Phasing Out Ontario’s Gas Fired Powerplants Report
- More information on the Proposed Hamilton Pipeline that was in front of the OEB (Enbridge’s application for this pipeline has been adjourned for a period of approx 6 months due to COVID and more information on the need for it)
The Clean Air Council network at the presentation that Jack provided for them as well as the other conversations that have been occurring with them on the energy decisions taking place at the provincial level have set an action item to send their input and recommendations to Premier Ford, Minister Rickford (Energy, Northern Development and Mines) and Minister Yurek (Environment, Conservation and Parks) as well as Ontario MPPs.
The draft of their input is available here. Keep in mind that this is the draft and is under review by the CAC to finalize a consensus-based final version.
Action Items and Feedback Requested
Is there interest in having the Ontario Climate Caucus use this letter as a starting point to develop an Ontario Climate Caucus letter on these topics?
If there is an interest in that if you can let me know by replying to this email that would be greatly appreciated. gkalapos@cleanairpartnership.org
Municipal Resolutions
It would also be great if these topics would be able to get in front of municipal Councils for awareness and discussion. Ontario Clean Air Alliance has developed a Draft Resolution for Municipal Council as a starting point. If you plan to bring a draft resolution to your councils if you can let us know that would be greatly appreciated and if there is any assistance that would be of value to help with that effort just let us know.
Parkland Dedication Topic
It was decided that no further action is required by the Ontario Climate Caucus related to the Parkland Dedication topic. If you would like some more background on this topic it can be found here.
Environmental Assessment Changes in COVID 19 Economic Recovery Act
Ontario Climate Caucus members were seeking more information on the implications of the changes to the Environmental Assessment Act.
CAP will reach out to CELA and Ecojustice to see if they would be able to join the Ontario Climate Caucus at a future discussion to better understand the implications and possible options for addressing the identified issues. The feedback from CELA and Ecojustice to the EA amendments is available here.
Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement
The Province announced proposed amendments to the Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement.
The proposal was published on the Environmental Registry of Ontario and concludes on November 14, 2020. More information can be found here.
ACTION: The Ontario Climate Caucus would like to be provided with more information on the review of the Policy Statement. CAP will be working with the Clean Air Council to see if there is a plan to undertake collective input to the proposed statement. The analysis of the amendments can then be shared with the Ontario Climate Caucus.
Ontario’s Blue Box Program Update
The Province of Ontario released its Renewing the Blue Box Program Report in 2019. It is calling for transitioning the management of Ontario’s Blue Box Program to producers of plastic and another packaging. This process will take some time and the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority are presently undertaking a stakeholder consultation process that goes until November 10th.
ACTION: There was also a request to learn more from the British Columbia experience as they have undertaken this transition towards increased producer responsibilities. The National Climate Caucus team is reaching out to some contacts in BC in an effort to bring their experiences and learnings to the Ontario Climate Caucus.
National and Provincial Climate Caucus Efforts
In order to ensure efficiency and reduce duplication Climate Caucus will focus on all efforts/actions that do or can have a national focus and the Ontario Climate Caucus will focus only on Ontario’s specific actions/issues. There will be ongoing communications between Climate Caucus and Ontario Climate Caucus and all public materials that use the Climate Caucus name will be signed off by the Climate Caucus. This is not anything that Ontario Climate Caucus members need to concerns themselves with, we just wanted to share the approach we are using to help reduce possible duplication and advance efficiencies and synergies.
National Climate Caucus AGM
The National Climate Caucus will be holding its AGM on Monday, Oct 19th, at 2pm ET. If you’d like to make sure you are a member and eligible to vote, please email Morag at morag@climatecaucus.ca by Tuesday, October 6th at the latest. That will also make sure you’re getting the regular (biweekly) central newsletter.
Ontario Climate Caucus Hub
We will be pulling together a hub where all the Ontario Climate Caucus meetings and actions will be tracked and available to members. Will keep you informed and seek to gather input when a skeleton of the hub format is available.