FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MPP Mike Schreiner, was joined by Evan Ferrari from eMerge Guelph Sustainability today to announce his private members bill, calling on the Ford government to stop fuelling oil and gas greed.
While most provinces in Canada allow municipalities to charge fossil fuel giants like Enbridge for the use of municipal land, Ontario does not. This leaves communities without a potential revenue stream and effectively subsidizes fossil fuel infrastructure using public funds.
“The Premier continues to side with fossil fuel corporations over the people of Ontario,” said Schreiner. “His government’s decisions are accelerating climate breakdown, increasing the cost of living, and making us more reliant on American gas at a time when we should be pursuing energy independence.” Schreiner highlighted that 75% of gas burned in Ontario comes from American sources.
The No Free Ride for Fossil Fuels Act, if passed, would give municipalities the authority to collect fees from Enbridge and other natural gas providers for occupying public land. The bill aims to stop this free ride and ensure that major fossil fuel companies contribute their fair share
This legislation builds on the work happening in both the City of Guelph, where councillors, led by Councillor Leanne Caron, have called on the Ontario government to allow them to charge for-profit gas utility companies for the use of public lands.
The impacts of climate change are intensifying — already this year, communities in Northwestern Ontario are facing evacuation from wildfires, with air quality warnings as far south as Toronto. Meanwhile, fossil fuel giants continue to see massive profits.
The Ontario Energy Board is currently considering evidence presented by the City of Guelph and eMerge Guelph in the decision to renew its natural gas franchise agreement with Enbridge. This fight is ongoing, and we must equip municipalities with the tools to make fossil fuel giants pay.
“It’s time for Premier Ford to make his position clear: does he stand with everyday Ontarians or with fossil fuel giants like Enbridge?”
Quotes
“Imagine for a moment that a multinational for-profit fossil fuel giant wants to use your property to run their pipes at no charge. Imagine further that if they abandon those pipes, it is your responsibility and your cost. That is what is happening in Ontario.
Enbridge supplies 99.7% of fossil gas to Ontario homes, and charges a delivery fee to its customers. They use municipal rights-of-way to distribute gas and do not pay municipalities for the use of public land.
This needs to change.
Municipalities are struggling to keep up with rising costs that are continually downloaded by the Province. Like other provinces who are allowed to charge for use of public land, we need this revenue to invest in climate mitigation, deeply affordable housing and to support the energy transition away from dependence on fossil fuels.
Charging for the use of public land is about fairness.
Banning municipalities from charging for the use and maintenance of public land is not only an unfair subsidy, but it is also slowing down climate action and costing homeowners more in the long run.
Ontario’s cities deserve the same rights as other provinces to charge for use of public land. It’s time to end the fossil gas subsidy now! We call on Enbridge to be a good corporate citizen and pay their fair share.”
Leanne Caron, Guelph City Councillor
“For decades Enbridge has been getting free use of our public lands for pipelines. In other provinces companies pay millions of dollars in fees to use these lands. It’s time for Guelph to charge for fees too.”
Evan Ferrari, Executive Director, eMerge Guelph Sustainability