Ontario opposition would scrap FIT


NFPA 70E Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$199
Coupon Price:
$149
Reserve Your Seat Today
Ontario's opposition Progressive Conservative Party would scrap the province's feed-in tariff program for producers of renewable energy if it wins the October provincial election, a party leader said.

The Conservatives, who have a double-digit lead over the governing Liberal Party in opinion polls, would also comb through existing contracts handed out under the incentive plan to see if any changes can be made, said John Yakabuski, who's in line to take over as energy minister if his party takes power.

"Going forward, absolutely, we would not be signing these contracts," Yakabuski said.

"The problem is that the consumer pays and that is the tremendous, terrible wrong of their program," he told Reuters in an interview.

Ontario, Canada's most populous province, has attracted billions of dollars in investment from foreign and domestic producers of renewable energy since it launched North America's most lucrative and comprehensive feed-in tariff program late in 2009.

Through 20-year contracts, the program pays above-market rates for solar, wind, water and biomass power producers. Ratepayers bear the costs of the program.

Residents and businesses, watching their monthly electricity bills rise, have started to complain. Opposition politicians have become increasingly critical of the program, which was aimed at eliminating coal-fired power plants and cutting greenhouse gases, and creating jobs.

"We are not going tear up contracts, but I can tell you we are going to look at each and every one of those contracts to see what options we have," Yakabuski said.

The Conservatives have not yet issued their official energy manifesto but will do so long before the October 6 election, he said.

The biggest investor in the program to date is a consortium led by South Korea's Samsung C&T, which was awarded a $7 billion contract a year ago to build wind and solar projects in the province and set up manufacturing plants.

Related News

Romania moves to terminate talks with Chinese partner in nuke project

Romania Ends CGN Cernavoda Nuclear Deal, as Nuclearelectrica moves to terminate negotiations on reactors 3…
View more

Soaring Electricity And Coal Use Are Proving Once Again, Roger Pielke Jr's "Iron Law Of Climate"

Global Electricity Demand Surge underscores rising coal generation, lagging renewables deployment, and escalating emissions, as…
View more

Michigan Public Service Commission grants Consumers Energy request for more wind generation

Consumers Energy Wind Expansion gains MPSC approval in Michigan, adding up to 525 MW of…
View more

Australia stuck in the middle of the US and China as tensions rise

Manus Island Naval Base strengthens US-Australia-PNG cooperation at Lombrum, near the South China Sea, bolstering…
View more

Europe's stunted hydro & nuclear output may hobble recovery drive

Europe 2023 Energy Shortfall underscores how weak hydro and nuclear offset record solar and wind,…
View more

California Skirts Blackouts With Heat Wave to Test Grid Again

California Heatwave Power Crisis strains CAISO as record demand triggers emergency alerts, demand response, and…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified