Power to the People: Fixing Ontario’s Energy Market

Opinion by Graham Findlay, a frustrated but hopeful OREC volunteer!

More community energy is the what Ontario needs

Something’s wrong with Ontario’s energy market — and if you’re paying an electricity bill, you’re probably feeling it too. The planners have been slow to listen — especially not to you, the ratepayer.

What’s going on?

For decades, Ontario’s energy system has been built on one guiding idea: lowest price, no matter what. “Trust us, we know what we’re doing,” was the mantra — a reflex baked into decades of North American utility thinking. But times have changed, and that old model is breaking down.

Electrification is happening everywhere — not just because of climate change, but because countries want out of risky oil and gas dependencies. Nobody wants to be a price taker anymore, especially when global politics can shut off the tap overnight, as we saw in the Ukraine–Russia war.

Big plans, old thinking

Electrification brings huge opportunities for local control, local jobs, and cost stability — especially through renewable energy close to home. Dozens of countries are charging ahead. Ontario? We’re dragging our heels.

Our planners are still stuck on mega-project thinking: refurbishing aging nuclear plants, experimenting with unproven small modular reactors, and planning new generation that will strain already expensive transmission lines. It’s an attachment to “big” solutions that feels out of step with today’s realities.

Meanwhile, people are losing patience. Nobody wants massive energy projects in their backyard. And have you noticed all the new gas-powered residential generators being installed in your neighbourhood? That’s a sign of lost trust. People are trying to look after themselves — but imagine if they could do it with solar panels and batteries instead: cleaner, quieter, and smarter.

Communities want in

Communities across Ontario want to participate. They see the benefits of local energy projects — jobs, investment, and dollars staying nearby.

I’ve been volunteering with OREC for a decade. We believe in small, community-based projects built with local capital. They’re socially accepted — people are proud to say, “I own a piece of that.” And they’re solid, reliable investments.

But convincing provincial planners has been a slog. The usual excuses roll in: too small, too risky, not enough capital. Meanwhile, OREC just wrapped up Eastern Ontario's largest rooftop solar project — on a national museum — in nine months.

Let’s make it simple

The energy system is complex, and the red tape can feel endless. But the heart of the solution is simple: Let communities invest in energy near them.

Let renters in high-rises buy into shared solar projects and earn a return or a bill credit. Nova Scotia is already doing it through their Community Energy Gardens. It’s not rocket science — it’s just good policy.

The good news

Change is coming. Small project procurement is finally on the horizon — Ontario's Local Generation Program is expected in 2026 or 2027.

“Small” in this case means projects around 5 megawatts — still enough to power communities like Manotick or Carleton Place, but connected to local grids instead of distant ones.

And here’s the best part: you can invest in these projects.

Join the movement

I encourage you to connect with OREC. The more you know, the more power you have to speak up. Check out our work at OREC.ca, learn something new, and maybe even join us.

It’s a small one-time fee to become a member — and you’ll be adding your voice to a growing chorus pushing for smarter, fairer, and more resilient energy across Ontario.

Let’s power the future — together.

Join OREC Today