Policy Committee Recap: Energy & Climate

Chris Padfield, Assistant Secretary to Cabinet for the Clean Growth Office (CGO) joined the committee to highlight key initiatives that the federal government has been putting in place to accelerate clean energy projects and drive sustainable growth. Padfield provided committee members with a detailed look at the federal government’s Cabinet Directive on Clean Growth, the federal permitting dashboard, and the ongoing work to enhance regulatory predictability and transparency.

 A key part of this work is an intake portal for Permitting Coordination, designed to gather information on proposed project outcomes and business intelligence, resolve bottlenecks in the federal decision-making process, apply a ‘project lens’ to future policy development, and reinforce Canada’s narrative as an attractive destination for investment.

This approach aligns closely with the Board’s ongoing advocacy for the establishment of a Permitting Coordinator at the provincial level to further strengthen collaboration among all relevant stakeholders and levels of government.

The committee also examined the provincial government’s recently announced vision for Ontario’s Energy Future, which will inform the development of a long-term integrated energy plan. Recognizing this as a critical opportunity, the committee discussed the upcoming plan and outlined four priority areas that will underpin the Board’s advocacy as it begins to take shape:

• Long-Term Stability of Policy and Prices: The Board will advocate for consistent policies and stable energy prices to support efficient business planning and maintaining Ontario's appeal for industrial investments.
• Business Incentives for Clean Energy Transition: Expanding incentives for clean technology adoption is vital. The Board aims to strengthen decarbonization incentives, enhancing Ontario’s competitiveness in clean energy and supporting industrial transformation toward sustainability.
• Regulatory Framework for Energy Infrastructure Investments: The committee emphasized the need for more streamlined processes and clear policy solutions to facilitate energy infrastructure investments. Continued advocacy for a provincial permitting coordinator is a key objective to ensure timely project delivery.
• Workforce Development in the Energy Sector: Addressing skilled labor shortages is crucial to meet the demands of Ontario’s energy sector. The committee supports initiatives that promote workforce development, including training and apprenticeships focused on clean energy and infrastructure.

Guided by these priorities and the Board’s strategic goals, the Energy & Climate Committee will continue to influence Ontario’s energy policies to support clean growth and the climate economy. The next step will be to finalize the Board’s input for the ongoing provincial consultation.

Stay tuned for further Energy & Climate committee updates and join us at our Climate and Energy Symposium on January 30th as we discuss the critical challenge of balancing clean energy growth with affordability and reliability, all while navigating ambitious climate targets and economic pressures.