Ontario initiates interprovincial partnership to build transmission infrastructure

The Ontario government has initiated a first-of-its-kind interprovincial-territorial partnership between British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Yukon, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories to expand transmission infrastructure across Canada.

Under the agreement, collaborating provinces and territories will work to identify and act on new opportunities to advance interprovincial transmission infrastructure, while also advocating for the federal support required to accelerate transmission corridors connecting Canada’s east-west and north-south.

The agreement is also intended to expand the electricity trade across Canada by helping regions meet the demand for clean, reliable power before exporting abroad. These energy development initiatives will also prioritize partnerships with Indigenous communities to ensure shared participation and economic benefits.

While Quebec is not participating in the initial partnership, the province supports enhanced interprovincial collaboration and is open to discussing these projects with interested parties, a press release from the Government of Ontario reads.

A number of stakeholders, organizations, and associations made statements of support within the Government of Ontario’s announcement, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers (CUSW), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Society of United Professionals, Ontario’s Independent Electricity SystemsOperator (IESO), Hydro One, the Ontario Energy Association, and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“Breaking down barriers to transmission infrastructure not only helps our provinces and territories meet our growing energy demands but creates thousands of career opportunities for Ontarians and Canadians in the skilled trades over the coming decades,” said Tom Cardinal, president of the Carpenters’ Regional Council.