Ontario didn’t inform public about expert advice to shift away from natural gas

The Ontario government has pushed forward plans to boost natural gas generation to meet soaring energy demand, despite receiving expert advice to “plan a partial abandonment” of gas infrastructure by 2050.The expert advice came in a report commissioned by the Doug Ford government but never released publicly. The Narwhal has reviewed a copy of the independent study, which was valued at up to $1.5 million according to the request for proposals. The study was also repeatedly touted by former energy minister Todd Smith in government documents and press releases as pivotal to the government’s ability to “make the best strategic decisions to reform our long-term energy planning process to serve Ontarians and prepare our province for the energy system of the future.”