ON: CPA prioritizing energy affordability issues with government

At the CPA Ontario Seminar held this past September, one of the priorities discussed was the importance of increasing advocacy with the provincial government.

Speakers included Renfrew MPP John Yakabuski. He is the Parliamentary assistant to the minister of environment. He spoke to members about the importance of reaching out to provincial legislators, both at the cabinet level as well as with their local MPP.

The CPA will be holding meetings with several Ontario Cabinet offices to discuss the issue of affordability including a proposal that sees the province provide a rebate to households currently on home heating oil to switch to propane. Discussions, led by CPA President and CEO Shannon Watt, are being held with the premier’s office, finance, environment, energy, treasury board, and economic development.

The CPA will also be participating in consultations with a special panel that will be offering the government advice on energy transition going forward. Electricity and Energy Transition panel members have been finalized and will be meeting with the CPA soon. Among the themes that the CPA will be discussing are issues around affordability and the concern that the rush to electrification will punish rural Ontarians that rely on heating oil, do not have access to mass transportation or to the natural gas grid, and face higher overall living costs.

The CPA will be sharing its progress with Ontario members and will collaborate with them on their advocacy activities.