Ford’s anything-but-renewables agenda driving up energy costs

July 7, 2023

GUELPH — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to news that the Ford government intends to build three additional small modular reactors (SMRs) on the Darlington nuclear site.

“Ontarians will pay the price for this government’s refusal to embrace low-cost renewables in favour of high-cost SMRs.

Since taking office, the Premier has grossly mismanaged Ontario’s energy supply – cancelling 750 renewable energy projects at a cost of over $230 million and axing efficiency programs that help people and businesses save money by saving energy.

Now, Ontario is facing an energy crunch. Luckily, the solutions are right in front of us – cheap, safe, clean renewables like hydro, wind and solar that can be deployed quickly.

Global investors are flocking to renewables because they are the cheapest, cleanest source of electricity generation.

But instead of taking note, the Ford government is moving in the opposite direction – hurting consumers, the economy and the climate in the process.

By continuing to reject renewables, the Ford government is squandering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make Ontario a global leader in attracting investment dollars and creating better jobs in the fast growing clean-energy sector.”

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