Does Ontario Support Renewable Energy Co-ops? A New National Index Exposes the Gaps

A new national report just launched by the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CECC) offers the first-ever snapshot of how supportive each province is toward renewable energy co-operatives (RECs) — and the results are revealing.

Why it Matters to OREC and Our Members

As a member-owned co-op building a local, democratic energy system here in Ontario, OREC knows firsthand how policies shape what’s possible. This new index evaluates provincial policy across three pillars critical to co-op success:

• 💡 Access – Can co-ops connect clean energy to the grid?

• 💰 Financing – Are tools like loans and incentives available?

• ⚡ Grid Modernization – Is the infrastructure evolving to support distributed energy?

The results show a Canada-wide patchwork. Some provinces are opening doors. Others are keeping them shut.

Key Takeaways from the Report

• British Columbia leads the index, supported by investment in grid modernization.

• Nova Scotia shines on access, thanks to a new Community Solar Program.

• Prince Edward Island ranks highest for financing supports.

• Saskatchewan and Manitoba trail far behind, offering limited support for community energy.

What About Ontario?

Ontario falls somewhere in the middle — offering partial support but still burdened by regulatory and structural barriers. For co-ops like OREC, this means we must keep innovating despite policy headwinds — and continue advocating for a stronger, more enabling environment.

A Tool for Change

This index is more than a scorecard — it’s a call to action. It gives policymakers, advocates, and co-ops a clear view of where to focus efforts to unlock community-led energy. At OREC, we’re using insights like these to push for policy change and expand what’s possible in Ontario.

OREC was instrumental in funding this research by the CECC.

📘 Read the full report → Community Energy Co-operative Policy Index (June 2025)

Authors: Dr. Marc-André Pigeon, Josie Ward, Dr. Martin Boucher (NorQuest College & CECC)

🧭 Learn more about CECC → www.cecooperative.ca