Calls to Action

We’re calling on municipal support

Tell your MP to stop fuelling wildfires

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST DELIVER ON ITS PROMISE OF STRONG CLEAN ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS

Heat Pumps for All

  1. We’re calling on Members of Parliament across the country to champion a Universal Heat Pump Program.
  2. Sign up to host a climate circle
  3. Find Your Local Campaign and lead one in your riding if there isn’t one already to pressure the local MP to support this initiative
  4. Build Local Power

Make Big Oil pay into a Climate Recovery Fund
Fuelling extreme weather has a cost.

All Ontario homeowners who are heating with methane (natural gas) from Enbridge: your gas bill will be going up because of Bill 165

FEATURED

Posted on 

On December 21, 2023, the Ontario Energy Board, an independent, regulatory body whose mandate is to look out for the interests of Ontario energy consumers, made the decision that Enbridge could no longer pass the cost of expanding its methane gas pipeline infrastructure on to its existing methane gas customers. This had been done by amortizing Enbridge’s costs over 40 years to existing customers. The OEB felt a 40 year amortization did not make sense if Canada is to attain its net zero carbon emissions commitment by 2050 (26 years away). Burning methane produces carbon emissions. This would leave stranded assets including pipeline infrastructure and customer-owned gas furnaces, once existing customers converted to alternative energy sources such as heat pumps which use electricity. With the OEB ruling, developers would be able to consider other heating options such as heat pumps in place of gas furnaces when developing new housing.

On December 22, 2023, 15 hours later, Tim Cooke, the Progressive Conservative Minister of Energy at that time announced that they would overturn the OEB’s decision. This compromised the independence of this regulatory agency.

On February 22, 2024, Tim Cooke introduced Bill 165, Keeping Energy Costs Down Act (a misnomer). Bill 165 would overturn the OEB decision and enable Enbridge to continue to amortize over 40 years its methane gas pipeline expansion costs.

Here are the articles that describe the situation including one that uncovers the conversations that took place between the Doug Ford government and Enbridge prior to the Minister of Energy’s announcement:

On May 16, the Doug Ford Progressive Conservative government passed Bill 165 into law.

Since then, the Canadian Climate Institute has come out with a report as reported on by the Toronto Star in this article written by Marco Chown Oved published on June 13, 2024, entitled, ‘Expanding gas infrastructure to heat buildings today is like investing in video rental stores 15 years ago’

Here is the executive summary of the report entitled, HEAT EXCHANGE: How today’s policies will drive or delay Canada’s transition to clean, reliable heat for buildings.

The Globe & Mail published an editorial in favour of the OEB decision, citing this same report: Building a postcarbon future on June 19, 2024

Here is an article about Enbridge and ‘fighting for its survival’: Enbridge Gas is ‘fighting for its survival’ — and that means keeping Ontario on fossil fuels, the Narwhal, June 25, 2024.

There are several calls to action that have been generated by several environmental organizations to tell your elected representatives to rescind Bill 165. Please send a message to the Doug Ford government to rescind Bill 165 and respect the Ontario Energy Board decision:

Here are some related calls to action that you can also do:

Thanks for making a difference.

Ray Nakano

If you’re just getting started…

Here are some of the things that you can do:

I’ve compiled this list of things that you can do.

Take the climate pledge and change the future for our kids.

The Weather Kids campaign, created in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization and The Weather Channel, calls for urgent climate action for the next generations.

Watch the Week with your family, your friends.

This is a program that I have just completed. Please watch this introductory 2 minute video. If it’s something that appeals to you, sign up, and try it out, with family, with friends. It could make a difference. Note: Subtitles are available in different languages.

Actions for a healthy planet by the United Nations

Climate change: Four things you can do about your carbon footprint by BBC News 

Then, there’s…

  • Walk and bike more.  Use public transit.  If you drive, consider a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV).  Fly less.
  • Convert your natural gas heating to an electric heat pump. Ditto for your water heater.
  • Convert your gas range to an induction stove.  Reduce your usage of barbeques and fireplaces.
  • Eat less meat, especially beef, and dairy.
  • Support and vote for climate-friendly candidates.
  • Tell your elected federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal representatives to take urgent and drastic climate action.
  • Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper

If you’ve already done the above…

The World is Going Renewable… It’s Time for Ontario to Catch Up! by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Stop funding carbon capture with public dollars by STAND.earth

STOP THE EXPANSION OF GAS PLANTS IN ONTARIO – WE NEED A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE by Environmental Defense

ACT NOW: Defund Fossil Fuels! Ask your MP to regulate fossil banks by Greenpeace

Canada’s on fire. Tell your Member of Parliament why you want emergency action now by Seniors for Climate Action Now (SCAN)!

Stand with over half a million Canadian health professionals to stop fossil fuel advertising by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)

Tell the Feds to stop Ontario’s Gas Madness. We don’t need more polluted air! by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance

The IESO needs to follow provincial orders and respect municipalities by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Send a Postcard to your MPP by the David Suzuki Foundation

ACT NOW The UN Campaign for Individual Action by the United Nations

Hold the Government of Ontario accountable to a livable climate future by Leadnow

Amid worsening climate crisis, WhatsApp and UN collaborate to promote more sustainable lifestyles by Whatsapp and the United Nations

Now is the time for offshore wind power by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance

CANADA: STOP BIG OIL FROM POLLUTING OUR CLIMATE by Environmental Defence

Add your voice. Tell leaders you support a cap on pollution. by a coalition of Canadian organizations

ONTARIO WANTS TO BUILD NEW GAS PLANTS – THE FEDS NEED TO STEP IN NOW. by Environmental Defence

TAKE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT YOUR PENSION AND THE CLIMATE by Shift Action

If you have any calls to action that you would like to suggest be added to this list, please contact me.