Published plans and annual reports 2025–2026: Ministry of Energy and Mines

Ministry overview

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) is committed to protecting Ontario, powering economic growth, and securing the province’s future by delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy while unlocking the full potential of Ontario’s mineral resources. Through integrated planning and responsible development, the ministry is strengthening industrial competitiveness, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains, and safeguarding public health, safety, and the environment.

Ministry’s vision

MEM unites two interconnected sectors to ensure Ontario’s long-term prosperity and security through responsible resource development, while delivering clean, reliable and affordable energy needed to power our growing economy. MEM recognizes that modern mining requires abundant energy, and our clean energy future is being built with the minerals our mines produce. By overseeing both sectors, MEM fosters a resilient, made-in-Ontario supply chain, ensuring our mineral resources can support energy production and advanced manufacturing, delivering economic prosperity and security for all Ontarians.

Ministry core commitments and key deliverables

MEM sets the legislative and policy framework for the province’s energy sector, as well as for mining and mineral development. MEM seeks to ensure all Ontarians have affordable, secure, reliable, and clean energy supply, distribution, and transmission, as well as choices in their energy use. MEM develops and advises on all aspects of energy policy for Ontario, including electricity, natural gas, petroleum products and low-carbon fuels. MEM supports a safe and sustainable minerals industry by promoting minerals sector exploration and investment. This includes collecting and distributing geoscience information, encouraging and facilitating Indigenous participation in the minerals sector, administering Ontario’s Mining Act, and ensuring safe, environmentally sound mineral development and rehabilitation of mining lands.

MEM works with partners and Indigenous communities to ensure access to cost-effective energy supply, transmission, and distribution systems; to advance innovative solutions and technologies; to promote energy efficiency; to support mines and mineral development including critical minerals; and to power the economy as part of the broader effort to protect Ontario. Because of this, Ontario continues to be a top destination for investment and job creation.

MEM provides electricity rate mitigation programs that provide direct relief on customers’ electricity bills. MEM is also responsible for Government Business Enterprises whose incomes contribute to the fiscal plan. This reflects contributions from Hydro One Limited and the wholly owned Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG). It also oversees the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

As the ministry for the provincial minerals sector, MEM strives to support the province’s economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and quality of life for the people of Ontario. MEM promotes economic growth and job creation by assisting the mines and minerals sector; conducts monitoring, research and planning for the management and use of Ontario’s mineral resources; and develops legislation, policies, and programs to regulate the sustainable and responsible use and management of Ontario’s mineral resources.

Ministry programs

MEM oversees the provincial energy and minerals sector, as well as the delivery of province-wide broadband service.

MEM is responsible for the following program areas:

The Ministry Administration Program, which includes the Offices of the Minister and Deputy Minister, provides executive direction, strategic and operational advice and support services to enable the ministry to achieve government objectives and fiscal priorities. The program provides leadership and advice on financial and controllership management, human resources, planning, legal, communication, emergency management, administration of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act and other corporate services to support the ministry's funding programs and initiatives.

The Energy Development and Management Program provides leadership and support to the energy sector to ensure affordable, reliable, clean, and sustainable energy supply, transmission and distribution systems. The program provides governance oversight of Ontario’s energy entities, including Hydro One, OPG, OEB and IESO.

The program supports energy efficiency, grid modernization and the development of cleaner forms of energy. This program also oversees engagement and consultation with First Nations and Métis communities on provincial energy sector activities and projects while facilitating their participation in the energy sector. The program is responsible for overseeing a construction loan for the Wataynikaneyap (Watay) Transmission Project.

The Electricity Price Mitigation Program helps Ontarians manage electricity costs. To ensure the province’s continued success in attracting new investments and growing Ontario’s economy, MEM remains focused on keeping electricity affordable even as demand grows. To keep energy costs down for families, all residential customers benefit from the Comprehensive Electricity Plan (CEP) and the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER), while some customers can also benefit from the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) and other more targeted programs that support the most vulnerable. MEM also provides clean and affordable electricity to power businesses through the CEP, Industrial Conservation Initiative and other programs.

The Broadband and Cellular Infrastructure Program is responsible for advancing the government's commitment to ensure access to high-speed internet for every community throughout Ontario. Broadband expansion in rural and remote areas will be accelerated by removing deployment barriers and reducing costs. Having reliable high-speed internet is essential for accessing critical services such as healthcare, education, and employment and is vital for individuals and communities to thrive in a modern, digital economy.

The Mines and Minerals Program supports a strong, stable and sustainable minerals sector by promoting investment and exploration, by providing information to global clients on Ontario’s wealth of mineral resources, and by the fair, effective and efficient administration of Ontario’s Mining Act, in a manner consistent with the recognition and affirmation of existing Indigenous and treaty rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and protection of public health and safety and the environment.

2025-26 Strategic plan

Demand for electricity is forecast to grow by 75 per cent by 2050, driven by economic development including historic investments in electric vehicles and battery manufacturing, population growth and increasing electrification. MEM is acting broadly to ensure the province has the electricity it needs to enable the Ontario government’s priorities to power economic growth and electrification.

MEM is committed to supporting a strong and sustainable mineral sector and the fair, effective and efficient administration of Ontario’s Mining Act. MEM continues to use evidence-based decision-making throughout its strategic planning and priority setting. As a result of these efforts, MEM is improving its ability to measure its performance more accurately in achieving outcomes and value-for-money.

MEM priorities encompass the implementation of Ontario’s first-ever Integrated Energy Plan (IEP), red tape reduction strategies, building broadband and cellular infrastructure, and supporting a strong and sustainable mineral development sector.

Implementing Ontario’s first Integrated Energy Plan

Strategic priority: Implementing Ontario’s first Integrated Energy Plan

Description: In October 2024, the government released Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power, a vision for Ontario’s energy system and initiated consultations on Ontario’s first Integrated Energy Plan, enabled by a legislative framework set out in the Affordable Energy Act, 2024. 

The province has now released Energy for Generations: Ontario’s Integrated Plan to Power the Strongest Economy in the G7, which considers a 25-year planning horizon to deliver an energy system that is affordable, secure, reliable and clean.

This IEP directs greater coordination across fuel types and sectors of the economy and supports the following outcomes:

• Affordability: Keeping energy costs low for families, businesses, and industry.
• Security – Building a self-reliant system with domestic infrastructure and supply.
• Reliability – Delivering consistent, 24/7 service to power every part of the province.
• Clean energy – Supporting economic growth, attracting investment while providing a North American solution to reduce emissions.

Discussion: Ontario’s electricity demand is expected to increase by 75 per cent or more by 2050, driven by strong economic growth, increased electrification and a population forecasted to increase by two million people over the coming decade alone. In response, the government of Ontario has taken key steps to advance an integrated energy planning process, coordinated across fuel types and sectors of the economy, to help manage increasing demand with the pace of the energy transition. Developing integrated energy plans on a five-year cycle will provide clarity to the sector on the government’s priorities in a regularized and predictable way.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Directing the IESO to launch the Northern Hydro Program (NHP) to provide a clear path to re-contract 26 hydroelectric facilities larger than 10 MW, represent over 1,000 MW of existing capacity critical to the reliability of Ontario’s clean electricity system. Establish a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Strategy and direct the OEB and the IESO to undertake initiatives to support the development of DER by empowering consumers and guiding DER investments to meet electricity system needs while maintaining affordability.
• Reviewing the Grid Innovation Fund (GIF) that is administered by IESO to enhance governance and determine future innovation focused funding.
• Establishing a natural gas policy statement that identifies the vital importance of natural gas to Ontario’s energy mix and the need for an economically viable natural gas network.
• Supporting the development of nationally integrated energy corridors and establish a set of principles for new fuel pipelines from Western Canada to guide the development of those pipelines into or through Ontario.
• Expanding the IESO Hydrogen Innovation Fund (HIF) program with a new $30 million round of funding, with streams for electricity grid integration and broadened eligibility for end-use applications such as transportation and heavy industry.
• Directing the IESO to report back to MEM with recommendations for a Hydrogen Interruptible Rate Pilot (HIRP) that would offer hydrogen producers an opportunity to manage their electricity costs by reducing consumption during peak demand periods.
• Improving coordination between electricity and natural gas planning processes through a formal process for information-sharing across gas and electricity sector participants and specific requirements on forecasting scenarios.
• Review the Municipal Energy Plan (MEP) program for further opportunities to support municipalities in taking a leadership role in integrated energy planning in their communities.
• Directing the OEB to explore and report back on the suitability and scope, timing and resourcing considerations for expansion of the OEB mandate to include hydrogen pipelines, carbon dioxide pipelines, district energy and pumped storage.
• Enhance the IESO’s existing Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) through an increase in funding of additional $10M and expanded program eligibility.
• Directing IESO to engage with neighboring Canadian jurisdictions and report back with a detailed assessment of cost-effective export and trade opportunities and based on the identified opportunities, develop an interprovincial export and trade plan that could be undertaken alongside other provinces.
• Profiling the proposed Ontario Pumped Storage Project, developed in partnership by TC Energy (TCE) and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation with up to $285 million of support. The project, which would be the largest of its kind in Canada, would provide up to 1,000 megawatts of clean, affordable, and reliable electricity storage. The Ministry has recently advanced pre-development work for the project.

As a strategic document for the energy sector, the IEP also presents updates, commitments, and new actions on many of the strategic priorities outlined in more detail in the sections below:

Strategic priority: Building on Ontario's nuclear advantage

Description: Nuclear energy is the backbone of Ontario’s clean electricity supply. As outlined in the IEP, MEM is supporting investments in several nuclear energy projects. MEM provides policy oversight of key nuclear energy projects and initiatives to ensure that the projects can be delivered in a way that minimizes costs and risks for ratepayers -- while enhancing the province’s position as a global leader in new nuclear technologies, creating new export opportunities that will drive economic growth.

Discussion: Nuclear power is emission-free, reliable, and low-cost and currently supplies about half of the power used by Ontarians every day. The government is leveraging Ontario's world-class nuclear sector to develop the next generation of nuclear power, including grid-scale small modular reactors (SMR) and large-scale nuclear reactors. Ontario’s nuclear advantage better positions the province to compete for international investments, which are increasingly prioritizing access to clean energy, as well as export development opportunities for Ontario’s nuclear sector.

Nuclear energy projects are complex and resource intensive. Multi-stakeholder engagement as well as careful upfront planning and preparation is required to ensure project completion within committed budget and schedule and to ensure the best interest of ratepayers. MEM’s oversight of nuclear projects ensures that government can undertake an informed decision-making process and identify problems early, so corrective actions are taken in a timely manner. Other jurisdictions are following Ontario’s lead.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Ongoing oversight of the construction of the first SMR unit (300 MW) to deploy Canada’s and the G7’s first grid-scale SMR at Darlington by 2030.
• Ongoing planning and licensing work on three additional SMR units at Darlington for a total of 1,200 MW, enough to power 1.2 million homes, with an expectation that the construction, operation and maintenance of the four units would contribute $38.5 billion to Canada’s GDP and sustain, on average, 3,700 highly skilled, good-paying jobs for the next 65 years.
• Ongoing oversight of the Darlington refurbishment to secure 3,500 MW of clean, reliable, low-cost power until 2055 with an expectation that the project could contribute $90 billion to Ontario’s GDP and increase employment opportunities across the province.
• Ongoing oversight of the Bruce refurbishments to enable Bruce Nuclear Generating Station operation to 2064 and Bruce Power’s “Project 2030” initiative to optimize the output of existing nuclear units, with a target to reach 7,000 MW of peak output – a 450 MW increase over current site capacity of 6,550 MW.
• Continued operations of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and the completion of Project Definition Phase of potential Pickering refurbishment by 2026.
• Predevelopment work for a large-scale nuclear build (4,800 MW), including an ongoing federal Impact Assessment at the Bruce site.
• Predevelopment work to build a new large-scale nuclear generation facility at OPG’s Wesleyville site in the Port Hope area which could host up to 10,000 MW – enough to power approximately 10 million homes, with the expectation that the project could contribute $235 billion to Ontario’s GDP over an estimated 95-year project life and support nearly 10,500 jobs.
• Continued exploration of innovative equity partnership opportunities and ownership models that can unlock private sources of capital for nuclear generation projects.
• Establishing a New Nuclear Technology Panel to coordinate the selection of an appropriate reactor technology by OPG and Bruce Power as well as associated timelines for finalizing that selection.

Strategic priority: Competitive procurements for new electricity resources

Description: MEM has directed the IESO to acquire new and existing electricity resources through competitive procurements to ensure the province has the electricity it needs to support rapidly growing demand. The procurement framework ensures Ontario has an affordable, reliable and clean electricity system. This is achieved when resources are procured through competitive processes, where possible, and in a transparent and cost-effective manner. The second Long-Term procurement (LT2) will procure new electricity resources that can enter service by 2034, and as early as 2029.

Discussion: Through the success of recent capacity procurements, including LT1, the government and the IESO have addressed the province’s near-term supply needs. The focus has shifted to a forecasted supply gap that emerges as early as 2029 and grows through the 2030s. To address this, the government directed IESO to launch LT2 to procure an annual energy supply of up to 14 TWh of new generation and 1,600 MW of new capacity by 2034. LT2 will be a competitive and technology-agnostic procurement that will be run as a series of annual procurements with the first submission window expected to close in 2025.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Directed IESO to launch the province’s largest competitive procurement for new energy and capacity resources through the second long-term Request for Proposal (LT2 RFP).
• IESO to evaluate, award and secure contracts from existing energy and capacity resources through the competitive second medium-term procurement (MT2 RFP).

Strategic priority: Expanding Ontario’s transmission system

Description: Ontario has over 30,000 km of electricity transmission lines that act as highways for the electricity system, carrying power from electricity generating stations to the communities, industries and homes that rely on it. The province is advancing several initiatives to support the rapid and responsible expansion of this network.

The expansion of the transmission system is key to enhancing Ontario’s clean energy advantage, ensuring that electricity flows efficiently and reliably across Ontario – avoiding bottlenecks, keeping costs down, and making room for new generation to come online. For remote communities connecting to the grid, transitioning away from diesel as an energy source can also present significant economic and environmental benefits through emissions reductions, enhanced electricity reliability, and economic and partnership opportunities.

Discussion: Realizing these outcomes means more than just construction. It will require early planning and engagement to identify and protect future transmission corridors in fast-growing regions, and to ensure that critical projects can move forward without delay at the lowest possible cost and to unlock all regions of our province to future economic growth and clean energy development. Furthermore, our province intends to expand market participants by supporting the launch of a competitive procurement process for certain new, large transmission projects.

Key programs and initiatives:

• The Ontario government and Wataynikaneyap (Watay) Power are advancing the second phase of the Watay Power Transmission Project, which is the largest Indigenous-led and lengthiest grid connection project in Ontario’s history. Continuing financial support for the Watay Project (connecting 16 remote First Nation Communities in Northern Ontario) by ensuring there is a sufficient annual allocation towards the project’s loan facility.
• Continuing to support a range of projects that were recently prioritized and accelerated through government actions, providing regulatory clarity to kickstart development and mitigate the risk of project delays, including:
  • Five lines under various stages of development in Southwestern Ontario to meet rapidly growing demand from manufacturing, greenhouse development, and population growth.
    • Chatham to Lakeshore line, between the municipalities of Chatham-Kent and Lakeshore, Chatham Switching Station (SS) to Lakeshore Transmission Station (TS).
    • St. Clair line, between the county of Lambton and the Municipality of Chatham, Lambton TS to Chatham SS.
    • Longwood to Lakeshore Phase 1, between the municipalities of Strathroy-Caradoc to Lakeshore, Longwood TS to Lakeshore TS.
    • Longwood to Lakeshore Phase 2, between the municipalities of Strathroy-Caradoc to Lakeshore, Longwood TS to Lakeshore TS.
    • Windsor to Lakeshore Line, between the municipalities of Windsor to Lakeshore, Lauzon TS to Lakeshore TS.
  • Three new transmission lines to facilitate green steel making, unlock opportunities for mineral development and address reliability issues in northeastern Ontario.
    • Wawa to Porcupine Transmission Line, between the Municipality of Wawa and the City of Timmins, Porcupine TS to Wawa TS.
    • North Shore Link Project, between the community of Wharncliffe and the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Third Line TS to Mississagi TS.
    • Northeast Power Line, between the west of the City of Sudbury to the greater Sudbury area, Mississagi TS to Hanmer TS.
  • A new transmission line, the Durham Kawartha Power Line (formerly GTA East Line), between the City of Peterborough and City of Oshawa, Dobbin TS to Clarington TS that will help meet demand from economic development and population growth.
• Prioritizing new projects in the IEP, where IESO has identified new transmission needs to reinforce the connection between Northern and Southern Ontario as well as the Greater Toronto Area and the Greenstone area.

Strategic priority: Preparing the distribution grid for the future and ensuring streamlined, faster connections for customers

Description: Ontario’s distribution system, the last step in getting electricity to Ontario homes, businesses, and EVs, also needs to grow and evolve to meet the needs of a growing and electrifying province. Building a modern grid and ensuring streamlined, cost-effective ways for customers to connect is a key enabler of a future energy system that is affordable, secure, reliable, and clean.

To prepare the distribution grid for the future, several key outcomes have been identified:

• Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) will need to strengthen their infrastructure, adopt new technologies, and deliver services more efficiently and affordably. This includes making significant capital investments in substations, transformers, and digital grid management tools.
• The last-mile connection process should be modernized, making it faster, and more aligned with Ontario’s long-term growth and electrification goals and ensure that customers can connect to the electricity they need, when, and where they need it.
• Ontario needs modern distribution grids that respond more quickly to outages and have improved operational efficiency helping defer or avoid costly infrastructure upgrades, increased capacity and flexibility, strengthened cybersecurity, and real-time system monitoring.

Discussion: To help position LDCs for long-term success, the government is tackling the core challenges they face, including identifying the type of investments that should be made to modernize the grid, integrate new technologies like distributed energy resources, and build a more resilient and responsive electricity system.

A modern electricity grid must not only be reliable and efficient, but it must also be responsive to growth. As Ontario continues to build homes, expand industrial capacity, and attract investment, customers need timely and affordable connections to the electricity system.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Launching the Housing Electricity Growth Forum to bring together municipalities, utilities, developers, and the OEB to help identify local bottlenecks, improve coordination across LDC service areas, and explore further reforms to support housing delivery without compromising system integrity or affordability.
• Evaluating possible options for distribution-connected customers to support housing connections, including considering regulations under the Affordable Energy Act, 2024 to reduce the upfront capital costs associated with connecting to distribution infrastructure (as well as transmission infrastructure).
• Continuing to monitor the OEB’s progress towards Distribution Capacity Mapping to ensure customers have access to information about available capacity on local distribution grids.
• Defining grid modernization as part of the IEP to better enable LDCs to plan investments to modernize its distribution grid to deliver services to better meet the evolving need of Ontarians.
• Continuing to drive progress with OEB and IESO to ensure alignment in the planning, investment, and regulation for grid modernization in the sector.

Strategic priority: Enhancing energy efficiency programs and other initiatives to meet rising electricity demand and help families and businesses keep costs down and reduce overall emissions in Ontario

Description: MEM and its agencies are continuing to expand and enhance programming and initiatives to mitigate energy costs while meeting rising electricity demand, including the electrification of Ontario’s economy. MEM is also continuing to support access to energy data to empower consumers, businesses, and public institutions to manage their energy use and reduce costs.

By offering cost-effective energy efficiency initiatives as well as new and expanded programs through the 12-year, $10.9 billion-dollar Energy Efficiency Framework, the ministry will continue to provide consumers with tools to manage their energy costs, while helping to offset the need to build new generation and transmission infrastructure. MEM is also improving the customer experience through a one-window delivery of residential electricity and natural gas energy efficiency programs, facilitated through collaboration between the IESO and Enbridge Gas Inc.

Discussion: Electricity demand is projected to significantly increase due to population and economic growth, implementation of large industrial projects, and electrification. Energy efficiency programs, other demand-side management initiatives, and distributed energy resources can help customers mitigate upward electricity demand and cost pressures. Beneficial electrification can help enable fuel switching and reduce reliance on carbon-intensive fuels.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Ontario’s 12-year Energy Efficiency Framework (2025-2036): A longer-term enduring framework informed by extensive public and stakeholder consultation offers new and expanded energy efficiency programs to reduce electricity use, improve the customer experience, and support beneficial electrification measures for homes using carbon-intensive heating fuels such as wood, oil and propane.
• Increasing the Value of Energy Reporting and Benchmarking Programs: explore how the Broader Public Sector (BPS) and large building energy reporting and benchmarking programs can be enhanced to further support prescribed building owners and operators in understanding and managing their energy consumption and water performance over time, including by informing participation in energy efficiency programs and initiatives, and in in helping to measure progress against their energy and climate goals.

Strategic priority: Building growth-oriented agencies

Description: A commitment was made in Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power that planning should support economic growth and be grounded in a focus on affordability while considering all sources of energy, including electricity, natural gas, and other fuels.

Positioning Ontario to keep up with growth by enhancing regional and bulk planning to support high growth areas, supporting the expansion of transmission infrastructure, and ensuring agencies are better positioned to support economic growth.

Discussion: Ontario’s energy system must expand faster and smarter, especially in regions experiencing rapid population and economic growth. Major housing developments, industrial projects, and infrastructure investments can emerge quickly between planning cycles. Stakeholders have highlighted the need for planning to be more responsive to the realities of high-growth areas, Ontario is listening to these partners and taking action.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Directing the IESO and OEB to make the regional and bulk system planning process more nimble, flexible, and responsive to the needs of growth in high-growth areas.
• Proposing amendments to the Ontario Energy Board Act and the Electricity Act to include “economic growth” in the mandates of the OEB and IESO, to ensure economic development is considered in the adjudicative functions of the OEB and the planning responsibilities of the IESO. These changes aim to clarify the importance of investments in the energy sector in supporting housing and economic development.
• Taking action to streamline provincial permitting and approval processes for priority energy projects by implementing a 'One-Team' coordination initiative to prioritize permitting and approvals for strategically important energy projects.
• Directing the OEB and IESO to review their energy related procurements and processes and report with recommendations.

Strategic priority: Keeping costs down for energy customers

Description: To ensure the province maintains its competitiveness, the government remains focused on keeping energy affordable as demand grows. To keep costs down for families and businesses, MEM offers several customer programs and initiatives.

Discussion: To keep costs down for families, residential customers benefit from several programs, rebates and rate relief measures, including targeted support mechanisms for Ontarians who are low income, or live in rural and remote communities. MEM also provides programs for business customers and, as a result, Ontario electricity rates are priced at or below the rates in neighbouring Great Lakes States, providing a clean energy advantage for economic investments.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Continue to manage the Electricity Price Mitigation Programs:
• Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER): provides transparent on-bill rebate, provided to eligible residential, farm and small business consumers. In 2025-26, the OER will continue to provide eligible consumers with a rebate from the province on the subtotal of their electricity bill. The OER is typically adjusted each November along with the OEB’s Regulated Price Plan (RPP) prices to help provide consumers with affordable and predictable electricity bills.
• Comprehensive Electricity Plan (CEP): covers the above-market portion of non-hydro renewable energy contract costs, reducing costs for all Ontario electricity consumers. In calendar year 2025, industrial consumers are forecast to see savings of about 11 per cent on their bills, while mid-sized commercial consumers could see savings of about 14 per cent on their bills.
• Distribution Rate Protection (DRP) and Rural or Remote Electricity Rate Protection (RRRP): provide support to eligible rural customers who face higher electricity delivery charges. These programs are automatically applied to the bills of eligible consumers.
• Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP): provides eligible low-income households monthly on-bill credits ranging from $35 to $113 per month based on household income, the number of people living in the home, whether a household member is indigenous, and other energy-related considerations.
• Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC): helps eligible low-to-middle-income northern residents manage energy costs. For 2024, qualifying individuals can receive up to a maximum of $185; families (including single parents) can receive up to a maximum of $285 annually.
• First Nations Delivery Credit (FNDC): provides a 100 per cent credit for delivery or service charges for eligible on-reserve First Nations residential customers of licensed electricity utilities.
• Continue to oversee the Future Clean Electricity Fund (FCEF) to help reduce system costs for electricity ratepayers and support the construction of new energy generation. This includes:
• Supporting the Clean Energy Credit (CEC) registry to enhance the clean electricity grid's competitiveness and job attraction and recycle funds from the electricity sector portion of the Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) program to develop and deploy new clean energy projects. Proceeds from the EPS program and the sale of IESO and OPG-owned CECs, totalling $160 million for fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24, directed to the FCEF.
• Overseeing the proceeds from the federal Output-based Performance Standards totalling approximately $55.6 million will be directed via the Future Electricity Fund (FEF) to the Darlington New Nuclear Project. The FEF is stream under the FCEF umbrella program.
• Continued fuel price reporting on the government website to keep the public well informed on retail gasoline, diesel, and other transportation fuels across 19 Ontario fuel markets. Continued monitoring and analysis of fuel markets (and associated infrastructure such as refineries and pipelines) to provide strategic advice on fuel supply and pricing issues, and support government policy initiatives.

Red Tape Reduction Strategies

Strategic priority: Prioritizing and streamlining processes for energy projects critical to growth 

Description: MEM will continue to look for opportunities to contribute to the government-wide effort to reduce burden and streamline program delivery across government. MEM will continue to reduce Regulatory Compliance Requirements against its 2018 baseline as well as regulatory costs and time required to comply with regulatory requirements, to contribute to enterprise-wide burden reduction metrics.

Discussion: Includes directing the IESO and the OEB to review the energy-related permitting and approval processes they lead and report back to the Minister onany reform opportunities identified

Key programs and initiatives:

• Overseeing OEB progress towards its target of reducing burden by 5 per cent from 2018 to March 2026 as well as pursuing its own priority initiatives to drive red tape reduction within its programs and frameworks.
• Directing the OEB and IESO to review their energy related procurements and processes and report back with recommendations.

Building broadband and cellular infrastructure

Strategic priority: Connecting Ontario communities to high-speed internet

Description: As part of nearly $4 billion to help provide access to high-speed internet to every community across the province, the ministry continues to proceed with various broadband projects including the Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program and application-based programs.

Discussion: Broadband infrastructure is owned and operated by private companies facing significant capital barriers to expanding Ontario’s broadband infrastructure to more remote and underserved areas. Most unserved and underserved communities are in rural/remote areas with low density populations and challenging terrain for deploying broadband infrastructure.

Ontario is working to speed up construction of high-speed internet projects in communities across the province through the Building Broadband Faster Act, 2021 (BBFA). This legislation helps reduce barriers that can cause delays with building broadband infrastructure, helping communities get access to reliable, high-speed internet sooner and strengthening the economy.

Building on the momentum of the BBFA, Ontario has also removed further barriers, duplication and delays, making it easier and faster to build high-speed internet infrastructure through the Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022. This legislation helps ensure underserved and unserved communities across the province gain access to reliable high-speed internet sooner.

Several legislative and regulatory amendments have also been made last fiscal to further support barrier reduction, including:

• Under the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024, amendments were made to the Building Broadband Faster Act, 2021 (BBFA) enabling the Minister to, when necessary, expropriate an easement on private property for a designated broadband project in an expedited manner to avoid delays.
• Additional changes were made to the BBFA regulatory framework, including new requirements under O. Reg. 436/22 (Definitions and Prescribed Provisions) that proponents must follow when completing make-ready work as authorized by the Minister of Infrastructure, and the establishment of O. Reg. 324/23 (Administrative Penalties) which prescribes certain sections of the BBFA for the purposes of administrative penalties.
• Legislative amendments were also made to the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, under Ontario Regulation 376/24 providing flexibility around the requirement that 100% of affected underground Infrastructure Owners and the project owner must agree on the selection of a Dedicated Locator.

In February 2025, the Ministry also updated the Building Broadband Faster in Ontario Guideline (Guideline 4.0) to reflect new legislative and regulatory amendment and help provide additional clarity and best practices for internet service providers, municipalities, LDCs and others to deliver high-speed internet projects faster.

The government is committed to connecting every community in Ontario to reliable high-speed internet access (50/10Mbps). Work is ongoing with internet service providers, municipalities, LDCs and other partners across the province to reduce barriers, expedite construction and deliver high-speed internet projects as quickly as possible.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Programs funded under the Broadband and Cellular Infrastructure Transfer Payment including Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON), Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), Northern Projects, Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program (AHSIP), and Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT).
• Continued work to provide high-speed internet access to the remaining premises in Ontario. Construction is also underway on the Matawa/Rapid Lynx Broadband Initiative that will connect remote Matawa-member First Nation communities to reliable and affordable internet service (Aroland, Ginoogaming, Long Lake 58, Constance Lake, Wunnumin Lake​, Marten Falls, Eabametoong, Neskantaga, Webequie and Nibinamik).
• MEM, in partnership with Infrastructure Ontario, held a series of municipal technical workshops to address permitting and infrastructure coordination challenges that impact broadband deployment. These sessions focused on practical issues such as rights-of-way access, installation depth standards, and timely approvals for aerial infrastructure.
• Engagements with underserved First Nations to better understand their connectivity needs and to discuss potential short and long-term solutions to address the lack of service or underservice on their reserves.
• MEM has been working closely with Hydro One to find ways to accelerate the aerial fibre attachment to its utility poles, which requires make-ready work (e.g., pole upgrades or replacements). This partnership has proven effective in driving progress, as more Internet Service Providers are aligning with this approach and cost-sharing model to move forward with make-ready construction. Both parties remain committed to identifying more innovative and efficient ways to reduce make-ready costs and expedite deployment timelines.
• MEM, through Infrastructure Ontario, has tools in place that will provide assistance to local distribution companies, proponents of designated broadband projects, municipalities and other stakeholders related to new requirements under the legislation and the overall implementation of these projects across the province. These include the Technical Assistance Team (TAT) and Broadband One Window (BOW). The TAT plays a key role in supporting permit applications and facilitating resolutions between stakeholders if disputes arise. BOW will help stakeholders work collaboratively to review and approve permitting applications, share data, and provide updates on project milestones.
• To date, more than 130,000 homes and businesses have been connected to high-speed internet, and progress is being made to connect approximately 430,000 additional premises.

Supporting a strong and sustainable mineral development sector

Strategic priority: To promote economic growth and job creation by supporting the mines and minerals sector

Description: Mining has long been the economic backbone of Ontario. Our province’s mineral exploration and mining sectors have a rich history and are responsible for building up our economy, especially in the north. The discoveries made by our tremendous minerals sector have led to stronger communities that rely on and benefit from mines, both new and existing. MEM fuels investment and opportunity across the mineral sector, advancing Indigenous participation, spurring innovation, driving exploration and processing development. Further, MEM aims to help Ontario attract mining investments to support the unlocking of critical minerals.

Relevant KPIs include: Increasing investments and economic opportunities in Ontario. Attracting new investments in the mining sector. Improving social outcomes for Indigenous Ontarians.

Discussion: As we move forward in 2025, Ontario faces major uncertainty and also remarkable opportunity. While the global landscape is rapidly changing, our province is well positioned to lead, thanks to our unparalleled geological wealth, our highly skilled workforce, and our unwavering commitment to innovation. Our government knows that to unleash Ontario’s potential, we must capitalize on the growing global demand for precious metals and critical minerals, while remaining committed to protecting Ontario and ensuring our economic sovereignty.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Working with Indigenous Peoples to build partnerships that enable participation in the benefits from resource development. Indigenous Relations program encourages and facilitates Indigenous participation in Ontario’s economy in a way that recognizes and is respectful of Aboriginal and treaty rights and culture. The program develops and sustains productive and effective relationships among government, Indigenous communities, industry, municipalities, and other partners. Indigenous Participation Fund (IPF): IPF empowers Indigenous communities to engage meaningfully in mineral development by supporting participation in regulatory processes and unlocking related economic opportunities.
  • Investing $70 million over four years through the Indigenous Participation Fund (formerly known as the Aboriginal Participation Fund) to improve capacity for Indigenous communities and organizations in areas of high mineral activity to participate in regulatory processes related to mineral exploration and mine development. The investment will provide greater capacity support to Indigenous communities to enable meaningful consultation on mineral exploration and mine development projects and better equip Indigenous communities to leverage economic opportunities through increased participation in Ontario’s growing minerals sector.
• Critical Minerals Processing Fund (CMPF): CMPF is administered and funded by MEDJCT, in partnership with MEM. The Ontario government is investing $500 million to create a new Critical Minerals Processing Fund as part of its plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy. The fund will provide strategic financial support to projects that accelerate the province’s critical minerals processing capacity and made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain, to ensure that minerals mined in Ontario will be processed in Ontario by Ontario workers. This funding complements the government’s ongoing efforts to unlock Ontario’s critical minerals in the Ring of Fire and elsewhere, to help protect Ontario’s workers and economy from the impact of tariffs and economic uncertainty.

Strategic priority: To conduct monitoring, research and planning for the management and use of Ontario’s mineral resources

Description: MEM collects accurate geoscience data to support informed investment decisions in the mineral sector, establish a geoscience baseline for Ontario, safeguard public health and safety and inform environmental and land-use planning decisions.

Discussion: Geoscience products and services support economic development through source water protection, mineral, energy and groundwater-resource related development opportunities, land use planning, and safeguarding public health and safety related to geological hazards.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Geoscience Information: The Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) collects and disseminates geoscience information for all regions across Ontario to support investment decisions and policy development related to mineral exploration and development, public health and safety, the environment and land use planning.

Strategic priority: To develop and implement legislation, policies, and programs to regulate the sustainable and responsible use and management of Ontario’s mineral resources, like mineral recovery

Description: MEM is committed to innovative improvement in permitting and assessment work processes. MEM made amendments to the Mining Act and introduced new regulations to improve timeliness and flexibility in mine closure planning.

Discussion: MEM continues to support mineral tenure administration in Ontario with an integrated, client-driven electronic system that enables clients to register mining claims and manage these claims online. This ensures mineral exploration and development in Ontario is undertaken in a manner that promotes a balanced approach that benefits all Ontarians, while registering claims in a manner that is respectful of private landowners and Indigenous communities. The system continues to be updated and improved in response to stakeholder feedback, such as enabling online payment of mining lands rents and taxes, introduced in December 2024.

MEM made amendments to the Mining Act to ensure Ontario has a modern and competitive regime for mineral exploration and development. The amendments reduced administrative burden, clarified requirements for rehabilitation, and created regulatory efficiencies throughout the closure planning process.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Administrating the Mining Act through regulatory tools that promote and sustain mineral exploration and mining in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
• Investing in the rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites on Crown-held lands to ensure public safety, improve the environment, and make the lands available for productive use.

Strategic priority: To continue to support the Critical Minerals Strategy and advance the Ring of Fire to make Ontario a leading mining jurisdiction

Description: MEM continues to deliver the Critical Minerals Strategy with a goal to elevate and secure Ontario’s place as a globally competitive jurisdiction that is ready to meet increasing global demand for critical minerals by connecting Ontario’s abundant critical minerals deposits with our world-class manufacturing sector.

Located more than 500 kilometers northeast of Thunder Bay, the Ring of Fire is one of the most significant mineral discoveries in the province. MEM is collaborating with partner ministries to undertake an integrated, intra-and intergovernmental coordination and planning approach to advance the development of strategic transportation and community access and connectivity infrastructure in the Ring of Fire region in an environmentally responsible way.

Discussion: MEM continues to implement Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy. Critical minerals have specific industrial, technological, or strategic applications for which there are few viable substitutes. These minerals are economically important and can be subject to supply risk. By continuing to fulfill the commitments of the strategy, we are boosting the resiliency of our supply chains, unlocking exploration and development potential, and fostering innovation in technologies to benefit the global industry.

Ontario is already a leading global supplier of a range of critical minerals such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum group elements (PGE) and is on the verge of becoming a producer of lithium and graphite. These minerals are becoming increasingly important to both Ontario and Canada’s national and economic security due to their growing use in everything from electric vehicles to medical devices to national defense.

Ontario has committed $25 million to the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) to support innovation and commercialization of critical minerals extraction and processing technologies; and announced the creation of a $500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund to support the expansion of Ontario’s critical minerals processing capacity. Ontario is currently home to nine operating critical minerals mines and 20 significant exploration projects with the potential to be developed in the coming years including the mineral rich Ring of Fire region.

Development of the mineral potential in the Ring of Fire focuses on building regional infrastructure, such as all-season roads and broadband, required to advance Ring of Fire developments and support First Nation access and participation. Progress is being driven by supporting priority community infrastructure projects and community readiness with interested communities in the Ring of Fire through community engagement, economic planning and project supports, community capacity development, resource development readiness and putting in place staff and resources that enable participating First Nations to fully engage.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF): Ontario has invested $20 million through the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) to drive innovation, research, and investment across the province’s critical minerals supply chain—from exploration to processing. CMIF supports research, innovation, and commercialization through partnerships with industry, academia, startups, and research firms—advancing the sector and reinforcing Ontario’s economic sovereignty. Beginning in 2025–26, the government is committing an additional $5 million over two years to accelerate commercialization, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and strengthen collaboration across the sector.
• Critical Minerals Processing Fund (CMPF): As noted earlier under the “To promote economic growth and job creation by supporting the mines and minerals sector” strategic priority. The Ontario government is investing $500 million to create a new Critical Minerals Processing Fund as part of its plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy. The fund will provide strategic financial support to projects that accelerate the province’s critical minerals processing capacity and made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain, to ensure that minerals mined in Ontario will be processed in Ontario by Ontario workers. This funding complements the government’s ongoing efforts to unlock Ontario’s critical minerals in the Ring of Fire and elsewhere, to help protect Ontario’s workers and economy from the impact of tariffs and economic uncertainty.
• In January 2025, Ontario and Aroland First Nation announced a Shared Prosperity Agreement to drive economic growth and build and upgrade infrastructure in Northern Ontario.
  • This agreement supports upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads, which are important connections on the road to the Ring of Fire, as well as major new investments in infrastructure and energy transmission in the region.
• Progress continues on the planning for new all-season roads into the Ring of Fire area that would become the corridor to prosperity.
  • Both Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation are currently targeting submission of Environmental Assessment/Impact Statement reports on the proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road and the Webequie Supply Road to both provincial and federal levels of government for review and decision making by 2026.
  • Government decisions on each proposed project would follow. Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation also continue to make progress, as co-proponents, of the Environmental Assessment/Impact Assessments for the proposed Northern Road Link.
  • Should the proposed road projects receive provincial Environmental Assessment and federal Impact Assessment approvals from Ontario and Canada respectively, the projects would proceed to fulfill technical permitting requirements and then construction could commence.
  • Together, all three of these road projects, when ready, will connect the Ring of Fire’s critical mineral deposits with manufacturing hubs in the south, supporting made-in-Ontario supply chains for batteries and electric vehicles.

Strategic priority: To continue to administer Resource Revenue Sharing (RRS) with Indigenous communities, with partnering ministries

Description: MEM continues to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to lead the implementation of RRS. RRS seeks to continue advancing Indigenous participation in the mineral sector by unlocking economic opportunities and supporting community capacity-building.

Discussion: RRS enables Indigenous communities to share in the economic benefits of resource development while advancing reconciliation, improving relations on a government-to-government basis, improving the economic and planning climate and providing funding that can support local economic and social priorities.

Key programs and initiatives:

• Resource Revenue Sharing (RRS): Starting in 2018, Ontario has shared resource revenues with First Nations organizations and communities that have signed an RRS agreement. In 2022, Ontario began sharing resource revenues with Métis organizations that signed RRS Agreements that year.
• RRS intends to improve socio-economic conditions for Indigenous communities and increase Indigenous participation in Ontario’s economy. These increased opportunities for Indigenous involvement in resource development activities aim in helping to build strong, healthy, sustainable Indigenous communities.
• The implementation of RRS is a collaborative effort between MEM and MNR.

Strategic priority: To position Ontario as the #1 jurisdiction in mineral development

Description: MEM engages and collaborates with Indigenous Peoples and communities, northerners, the mining industry, federal departments, and other provincial ministries to promote responsible and sustainable development. These efforts are helping Ontario remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market—attracting new investment, expanding economic opportunities, and reinforcing the province’s position as the #1 jurisdiction for mineral development.

Discussion: Early exploration is key to making promising geological discoveries that can lead to future mines and positioning Ontario to meet increasing global demand for critical minerals. Recent geopolitical events have demonstrated the need for Ontario to secure our mineral supply chains. This will require building mines faster, streamlining permitting requirements for mine sites to match the speed of business to deliver what the world needs. Ontario needs to continue to be competitive in a dynamic market for mineral development. This includes attracting investment and responding to changing demands for critical minerals (i.e., national security interests).

Key programs and initiatives:

• The Mineral Development Investment and Opportunity program ensures Ontario receives a fair share of the value of mineral resources extracted from the province, identifies strategic investment opportunities, and influences policy issues that support Ontario’s mineral competitiveness.
• Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP): OJEP supports early exploration for junior companies and prospectors, driving investment, strengthening the project pipeline, and building momentum toward new mines and jobs.
• The Ontario Focused Flow-Through Share (OFFTS) Tax Credit is intended to stimulate mineral exploration in Ontario and to improve access to capital for small mining exploration companies.

Detailed financial information

Table 2: Combined operating and capital summary by vote

Historic trend analysis

For additional information, see:

• Expenditure Estimates
• Ontario Budget
• Public Accounts
• Ministry of Energy and Mines

Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

The IESO manages real-time operations of Ontario’s power grid system by balancing supply of and demand for electricity, designing and procuring delivery of conservation and demand management programs, planning for the Province’s future energy needs and designing a more efficient electricity marketplace to support sector evolution. The IESO is a not-for-profit corporate entity established in the Electricity Act, 1998. Its fees and licences to operate are set by the OEB. The IESO’s expenses are consolidated onto MEM’s financial accounts.

Ontario Energy Board (OEB)

The OEB is the independent regulator of the Province’s electricity and natural gas sectors. It oversees Ontario’s energy utilities to ensure the public interest is served.

The OEB’s mandate and powers are set out primarily in three statutes – the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998; the Electricity Act, 1998; the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010; and the regulations made under these statutes. Other statutes, such as the Statutory Powers and Procedure Act, also inform the OEB’s authority.

The OEB’s annual operating expenses are consolidated onto MEM’s financial accounts. Its operations and activities are fully funded by its regulated stakeholders in the gas and electricity sectors, under the cost-assessment authority in Ontario Regulation 16/08 (Assessment of Expenses and Expenditures) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.

Ministry organization chart

• Minister Energy and Mines
  • Deputy Minister Energy and Mines
    • Legal Services Branch
    • Communications Services Branch
    • Energy Supply Policy Division
      • Economics and Systems Planning Branch
      • Nuclear Supply and Fuels Policy Liaison Branch
    • Conservation & Renewable Energy Division
      • Conservation & Energy Efficiency Branch
      • Renewables, Integration & Distributed Energy Resources Branch
      • Conservation Programs & Partnerships Branch
    • Strategic, Network & Agency Policy Division
      • Energy Networks & Indigenous Policy Branch
      • Distribution & Consumer Assistance Policy Branch
      • Governance, Strategy & Analytics Branch
      • Policy Coordination & Outreach Branch
      • Broadband Expansion and Connectivity Branch
    • Corporage Management Division
      • Finance Branch
      • Finance Management Branch
      • Strategic Human Resources Branch
      • Strategic Corporate Supports Branch
    • Mines and Minerals Division
      • Ontario Geological Survey Branch
      • Indigenous Consultations and Partnerships Branch
      • Strategic Services Branch
      • Information and Lands Branch
      • Mineral Development Branch
      • Mineral Development Program Modernization Branch
    • Strategic Policy Division
      • Sector and Intergovernmental Policy Branch
      • Ring of Fire Policy Coordination Branch

Annual report

The following highlight the achievements of MEM for the 2024–25 fiscal year:

Generation and procurement

Strategic priority: Building on Ontario's nuclear advantage

Description: MEM engages and collaborates with Indigenous Peoples and communities, northerners, the mining industry, federal departments and other provincial ministries to encourage responsible and sustainable development across both the energy and mining sectors. With nuclear power supplying about 50 per cent of Ontario’s electricity, the province is leveraging this clean, reliable, and affordable energy advantage to support electrification, critical minerals development, and industrial growth. Ontario is also leading globally with the construction of the first grid-scale Small Modular Reactor (SMR) in the G7, and working with international partners to advance nuclear innovation, strengthen supply chains, and unlock export opportunities. These efforts are positioning Ontario as a world leader in clean energy while reinforcing its role as the top jurisdiction for mineral exploration and development.

Progress/results achieved:

• In April 2025, OPG completed detailed planning and site preparation for the first Darlington SMR unit on time and on budget and began the construction in May 2025 following the receipt of a licence to construct the first unit from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and construction approval from the Ontario government.
• In November 2024, Darlington Unit 1 refurbishment was completed 5 months ahead of schedule and on budget. Three out of four refurbishments are now complete, with the fourth and final unit expected to be complete and returned to service in 2026.
• In October 2024, the CNSC authorized Pickering “B” units to operate until the end of 2026. In December 2024, OPG completed the Project Initiation Phase of the Pickering Refurbishment Project and received government approval to proceed with the Project Definition Phase.
• In September 2023, the first of six Bruce refurbishments, Unit 6, was completed within budget and ahead of schedule. The second refurbishment, Unit 3, is currently underway and in February 2025, the third Bruce refurbishment, Unit 4, was started as planned. In April 2025, the IESO approved the final cost estimates for Bruce Unit 5 refurbishment and approved Bruce Power to proceed with the refurbishment in 2026.
• In August 2024, Bruce Power commenced a federal Impact Assessment for building a new nuclear station with a capacity of up to 4,800 MW at the Bruce nuclear site (i.e., Bruce C).
• In January 2025, Ontario government announced that it asked OPG to start engaging with local and Indigenous communities and exploring opportunities for new nuclear energy generation at OPG’s existing Wesleyville power generation site which could host up to 10,000 MW.
• In November 2024, the Ontario government concluded a successful trade mission to Poland and Estonia to strengthen existing relationships and showcase how Ontario and its nuclear supply chain can help countries around the world meet increasing energy demands. This mission helped secure an up to $40 million agreement between Laurentis Energy Partners (a subsidiary of OPG) and Poland’s Orlen Synthos Green Energy, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between Laurentis and Estonia’s Fermi Energia to explore opportunities related to SMR development.
• In May 2024, Bruce Power installed the second isotope production system in collaboration with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Isogen and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE to double the power plant’s capacity to produce the medical isotope Lutetium-177 used in cancer treatment.

Strategic priority: Competitive procurements for new electricity resources

Description: Since October 2022, MEM has directed the IESO to acquire new and existing electricity resources through competitive procurements to meet Ontario’s rapidly growing electricity demand. By using transparent, cost-effective, and competitive processes, the government is ensuring a reliable, affordable, and clean electricity system that supports continued economic growth.

Progress/results achieved:

• Medium – Term 2 (MT2) secured existing energy resources at prices roughly 21% lower than previous contracts.
• MT2 secured existing capacity resources at prices roughly 12% lower than building a new battery storage facility and 65% lower than building a new gas generation facility.
• LT1 became the largest battery storage procurement in Canada’s history, securing grid-scale batteries with an average 24% cost reduction compared to the previous procurement round.
• Over 2,100 MW, the highest summer capacity to date, secured through the annual capacity auction at an 11% decrease compared to the previous year.

Transmission 

Strategic priority: Expanding Ontario’s transmission system

Description: The province has advanced several strategic initiatives to support the rapid and responsible expansion of Ontario’s transmission network—ensuring the system keeps pace with growing demand from electrification, housing, and industrial development. A modern and expanded transmission system is essential to enhancing Ontario’s clean energy advantage, enabling the efficient flow of electricity from generation to the communities and industries that rely on it. Through early corridor identification, competitive procurement of new lines, and partnerships with Indigenous communities, Ontario is laying the groundwork for a grid that is more reliable, resilient, and ready to unlock future economic growth across the province.

Progress/results achieved:

• Accelerated the development of a new transmission line to unlock opportunities for mineral development and address reliability issues in northeastern Ontario: Wawa to Porcupine Transmission Line, between the Municipality of Wawa and the City of Timmins, Porcupine TS to Wawa TS.
  • Completed the Chatham to Lakeshore line, between the municipalities of Chatham-Kent and Lakeshore, Chatham SS to Lakeshore TS, one year ahead of schedule, a new 49 km line bringing approximately 400 MW of new capacity to the southwest region.
  • Connected three First Nations to the Watay project in 2024, including Sandy Lake FN, Deer Lake FN and Poplar Hill FN. The North Spirit Lake and Keewaywin FNs were connected in January 2025.
  • Introduced legislative changes through Bill 214 to give the Minister authority to create regulations that would, if approved, change cost responsibility rules on certain connection assets to help reduce grid connection costs and timelines. Those regulations are currently being drafted and will be the subject of further stakeholder engagement in 2025.

Energy Efficiency Programs

Strategic priority: Enhancing energy efficiency programs and other initiatives to meet rising electricity demand help families and businesses keep costs down

Description: MEM and its agencies continue to expand energy efficiency programs to help keep electricity costs affordable for households, businesses, and municipalities. These initiatives give Ontarians more control over their energy use and monthly bills, while also helping to manage demand and reduce the need for new infrastructure investments. By investing in long-term, cost-effective efficiency measures, Ontario is protecting ratepayers, improving affordability, and supporting a cleaner, more reliable energy future.

Progress/results achieved:

• Launched the new long-term 12-year Energy Efficiency Framework with a budget of $10.9B to meet Ontario’s growing energy needs and help families, businesses and municipalities mitigate rising energy costs in January 2025. This initiative marks Ontario as one of the top leading jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S. with respect to overall expanded investments in energy efficiency programming. Overall, the forecasted benefits associated with Framework include:
  • 18,000 GWh of electricity savings by 2036, equivalent to the annual electricity demand of a city double the size of Ottawa, plus London and North Bay.
  • 3,000 MW of peak demand savings, equivalent to 70% of the summer peak electricity demand for the entire City of Toronto.
  • $23.1B of nominal electricity system benefits over 24 years, thereby savings the system (and ratepayers) an estimated $12.2B.
• With the launch of the new Framework in January 2025, MEM has introduced two new programs:
  • Home Renovation Savings Program: offers rebates for home renovations and energy efficiency improvements (including beneficial electrification) which can be accessed through a new single program delivery window for residential electricity and natural gas customers. This program will continue to expand later in 2025 to include rebates for energy efficient appliances.
  • Small Business Peak Perks: the successful residential Peak Perks Program has been expanded to small businesses. For each eligible smart thermostat connected to a central air conditioning system or heat pump unit that they enroll, participating small businesses will be rewarded with a $75 virtual prepaid credit card, as well as $20 for each year they remain enrolled in the program.
• Successfully implemented and delivered on key existing energy efficiency programs as follows:

Green Button:

• In 2024, 56 energy utilities in Ontario have successfully implemented Green Button providing energy usage data in Green Button format to over 5.3 M electricity customers and over 3.8 M natural gas customers. Green Button is a data standard that allows residential and business customers to access their energy usage data in a common format.
• MEM continues to collaborate and engage with key stakeholders to support the uptake of Green Button applications for Ontario consumers which would provide them with more ways to analyze their energy data, identify energy efficiency opportunities and take control of their energy bills.

Efficiency Standards Amendments:

• In January 2025, amended the Ontario Regulation 509/18, Energy Efficiency – Appliances and Products, under the Electricity Act, 1998, fully harmonized Ontario requirements and efficiency metrics for 42 products through rolling incorporation by reference to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) standards and removed obsolete efficiency requirements for three products. This change reduced red tape/regulatory burden for product and appliance manufacturers, streamlined the regulation to make it easier to follow and easier to identify which products are harmonized with other jurisdictions.
• It was estimated that approximately 500 manufacturers may benefit from the proposed regulatory changes, resulting in 1,980 hours and $146,441 savings in administrative efforts and costs per year for the industry.

Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking Program (EWRB) and Broader Public Sector Energy Reporting and Benchmarking (BPS ERB) Program:

• Successfully delivered ERB programs (EWRB and BPS) to over 20,000 buildings through a coordinated and responsive approach. Stakeholder inquiries were addressed promptly and effectively through one-on-one engagements and informative webinars, fostering strong participation, and understanding across stakeholders. Published building energy performance data on Ontario's Data Catalogue to enable building owners and operators to benchmark their buildings' energy and water usage against other similar buildings across the province.
• Published a Beta EWRB Data Explorer on the Ontario GeoHub website in 2024, an interactive web map and dashboard that visualizes the 2018-2022 EWRB data that is publicly available on the Ontario Data Catalogue. The Data Explorer enables users to benchmark energy and water use more readily in Ontario by being able to compare metrics over time like site energy use intensity and GHG emissions intensity across geographic locations or property types.

The Municipal Energy Plan (MEP) Program:

• Approved four municipalities, Peterborough, Stratford, London, and Ottawa, to develop and enhance action plans which support the municipalities in achieving emissions reductions.
• Since inception, 47 applications representing 61 municipalities across Ontario have been approved for close to $2.5 million dollars in funding under the program.
• Streamlined and reduced time for municipalities to submit completed applications as part of the government’s work on digital transformation and improved efficiency of government services.

Integrated Energy Plan

Strategic priority: Building an Integrated Energy Planning framework

Description: Building the clean energy infrastructure necessary to power Ontario’s future is a complex undertaking that requires the highest level of strategic energy planning and coordination. MEM will continue to make progress in advancing integrated energy planning in a way that maximizes economic opportunities, supports cost-effective decisions and the growing demand for clean energy.

Progress/results achieved:

• In October 2024, the government released Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power, a vision for Ontario’s energy system and initiated consultations on Ontario’s first Integrated Energy Plan
• In December 2024, the Affordable Energy Act, 2024 received Royal Assent, which enabled a legislative framework for integrated energy planning.
• MEM reviewed feedback received through the consultation and engagement process to inform the final IEP.
• Commissioned a whole-economy energy modelling study to analyze how Ontario’s energy sector could be impacted by electrification and changing consumer energy demand. The study, which explored various scenarios that reflect plausible, affordable, and reliable futures for Ontario up to 2050, was completed in September 2024.
• Initiated an engagement process in Fall 2024 to inform a renewed Ontario’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen strategy, incorporating feedback from the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) and consultation sessions. This will inform the expanded 2025 HIF and initiatives included in the 2025 Integrated Energy Plan and will be further considered with strategy renewal.

Strategic priority: Readying the electricity grid for electric vehicle (EV) integration

Description: With electric vehicle adoption accelerating across Ontario, MEM is working to ensure the electricity grid is ready to support widespread charging in a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective manner. This includes coordinating with the OEB, IESO, utilities, and industry partners to align infrastructure deployment with grid capacity, reduce peak demand impacts, and enable smarter planning across transmission and distribution systems. By preparing the grid for EV growth now, Ontario is supporting cleaner transportation while avoiding costly upgrades in the future.

Progress/results achieved:

• Introduced legislative changes as part of the Affordable Energy Act in Fall 2024 providing clarity that EV charging companies do not require a license from the OEB. This provides regulatory certainty to create a regulatory environment that supports and enables further deployment of EV charging stations.
• Implemented the Phase 1 of the OEB’s Capacity Mapping project, following Ministerial direction, that required all LDCs provide access to electricity distribution capacity maps by March 3, 2025, which provides valuable information about where it may be easiest to deploy new EV charging stations.
• Partnered with other ministries, convened the Electric Vehicle Projection Working Group, including working with McMaster’s Institute for Transportation & Logistics to develop an EV projection tool to be used across government. This tool is expected to be completed in 2025.

Electricity price mitigation

Strategic priority: Keeping electricity costs down for customers

Description: Affordable, predictable, and stable energy costs are the foundation of Ontario’s economic success, and the quality-of-life families count on every day. Whether heating a home, charging a vehicle, or running a business, affordable energy enables nearly every part of life in Ontario. This is why, to help those who need it the most, the government continues to provide targeted electricity bill relief for eligible low-income households and on-reserve First Nation consumers, as well as eligible rural or remote customers. This is in addition to the on-bill Ontario Electricity Rebate for all eligible residential customers.

Progress/results achieved:

• Ontario continues to keep energy costs down which has helped the province land historic investments and is making it easier for industries to grow and electrify.
• Since the government broadened the eligibility for OESP by increasing the program’s income eligibility thresholds, tens of thousands of additional Ontario households are now receiving support on their electricity bill.
• As of November 1, 2024, the OER rate has been adjusted to 13.1% to provide eligible consumers with a rebate from the province on the subtotal of their electricity bill.
• Through the CEP, the government funded the above-market costs associated with more than 33,000 non-hydro renewable energy contracts last year.
• Released weekly fuel price reporting to ensure the public is informed on retail gasoline, diesel, and other transportation fuels across 19 Ontario fuel markets on the government website. The Ministry also responded to public and stakeholder inquiries about fuel markets and pricing trends in 2024-25.

Reducing red tape strategies

Strategic priority: Burden reduction

Description: MEM continues to support the government-wide commitment to reducing regulatory burden and streamlining program delivery to improve efficiency, cut red tape, and lower compliance costs for businesses and stakeholders. Through targeted initiatives and oversight of agency-led reforms, the ministry is driving measurable reductions in time, cost, and regulatory complexity—ensuring energy and mining projects can move forward more efficiently while maintaining strong environmental and consumer protections.

Progress/results achieved:

• As of Q2 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Energy side of MEM has reduced Regulatory Compliance Requirements (RCR) by approximately 12.13% from its 2018 baseline, and reduced regulatory costs by $8.12M since 2018 and saved 6,382 hours in compliance time (this KPI tracked for the first time in Q3 2023-2024). This includes IESO and OEB RCR reductions.

Building broadband and cellular infrastructure

Strategic priority: Connecting Ontario communities to high-speed internet

• Description: As part of Ontario’s nearly $4 billion investment to help provide access to high-speed internet in every community, MEM is advancing critical broadband infrastructure projects across the province. Through programs like the Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program and targeted application-based initiatives, the ministry is working with partners to reduce barriers, accelerate construction, and connect unserved and underserved areas—ensuring that all Ontarians have access to the digital tools and services needed to thrive in today’s economy.

Progress/results achieved:

• To date, more than 130,000 homes and business have been connected to high-speed internet, and approximately 430,000 additional premises will be connected.

Supporting a strong and sustainable mineral development sector

Strategic priority: To promote economic growth and job creation by supporting the mines and minerals sector

Description: Mining has long been the economic backbone of Ontario, particularly in the North, where mineral exploration and development continue to drive prosperity and job creation. Ontario’s world-class mineral sector has laid the foundation for stronger communities, global investment, and economic resilience. Today, MEM is building on that legacy by supporting exploration, development, and processing through targeted funding programs that unlock critical minerals, attract private investment, and advance Indigenous participation—ensuring the sector continues to power Ontario’s economic future.

Progress/results achieved:

• In 2024, Ontario was number one in Canada for mineral exploration investment totalling $1.1 billion, making up roughly 26 per cent of all mineral exploration investment in Canada.
• Ontario was also Canada’s top mineral producer by value, generating $13.0 billion worth of minerals in 2024, which accounted for 24 per cent of the country’s total mineral production value. Ontario’s mining, processing and mining supply and services sector contributed about $14.4 billion to Ontario’s GDP annually. Mining in Ontario supported approximately 31,000 direct jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs associated with mineral processing and mining supply and services. Ontario’s mining sector has one of the highest proportions of Indigenous workers of all industries, at 11 per cent.
• Toronto continued to be the mining finance capital of the world – 37 per cent of all global mining equity capital raised in 2024 came from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX-V). Approximately 1,100 mining companies were listed on the TSX and TSX-V in 2024, approximately 40 per cent of public mining companies in the world. In 2024, the TSX and TSX-V raised $10.4 billion in new equity capital for mining. Capital investment in mining in Ontario has increased from $1.3 billion in 2010 to $3.0 billion in 2024.
• There are about 200 companies actively exploring more than 300 projects in Ontario. 32 of those are considered significant exploration projects. In 2024, there were 364,531 active mining claims in Ontario. There are currently 35 active mining operations in Ontario, the majority of which are in Northern Ontario.
• Four mine expansion projects are currently active in Ontario, and new mine construction is underway at six projects. These projects include Gowest Gold’s $27 million Bradshaw gold project near Timmins, KGHM’s $1.0 billion Victoria nickel project in Sudbury, Glencore's $1.5 billion Onaping Depth nickel-copper project in Sudbury, Magna Mining’s $28 million Crean Hill Project in Sudbury, Vale’s $205 million Stobie Mine Open Pit project in Sudbury, and West Red Lake Gold’s $73 million Madsen project in Red Lake.

Strategic priority: To develop and implement legislation, policies, and programs to regulate the sustainable and responsible use and management of Ontario’s mineral resources, like mineral recovery

Description: MEM is committed to modernizing Ontario’s permitting and assessment processes to support a competitive, efficient, and transparent framework for mineral exploration and development. By streamlining regulatory requirements, reducing administrative burden, and improving timelines—while maintaining strong environmental protections and upholding the Duty to Consult—Ontario is enabling responsible growth and ensuring the province remains a leading jurisdiction for mineral development.

Progress/results achieved: MEM made amendments to the Mining Act and introduced new regulations to improve timeliness and flexibility in mine closure planning.

• The Building More Mines Act, 2023, which received Royal Assent on May 18, 2023, will help ensure Ontario has a modern and competitive regime for mineral exploration and development. The amendments aim to save companies time and money by reducing administrative burden, clarifying requirements for rehabilitation and creating regulatory efficiencies.
  • The new and amended regulations will help Ontario attract mining investments to support the unlocking of critical minerals and the Ring of Fire, while maintaining Ontario’s strong standards for environmental protection and meeting the Duty to Consult with Indigenous communities.
  • These changes, which came into effect April 1, 2024, include:
    • Improved timelines for filing closure plans, reduce administrative burden and simplify the process for preparing a closure plan, including allowing qualified persons to certify plans and allowing phased Financial Assurance to fulfill proponent obligations.
    • Increased flexibility for closure planning by amending the definition of “rehabilitate” to support the Minister of Mines’ ability to allow an alternate use, condition or feature to remain onsite.
    • Exempting facilities that manufacture products needed for the development of batteries for the electric vehicle industry.
• These legislative and regulatory amendments will support the unlocking of critical minerals, including those in the Ring of Fire, while maintaining Ontario’s strong standards for environmental protection and meeting the Duty to Consult with Indigenous communities. These critical mineral resources in the north are being connected to Ontario’s world-class manufacturing sector in the south.
• Ontario’s Abandoned Mines Rehabilitation Program celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2024. In 2023-24, the ministry led 42 investigation and rehabilitation projects at 24 abandoned mine sites. To date, Ontario has spent approximately $236 million rehabilitating over 122 of the province’s highest priority abandoned mine sites.
• In November 2024, the government introduced the Recovery of Minerals Regulation. This was an important and innovative step towards enabling access to alternative sources of residual metals and minerals from mine waste found at operating, closed or abandoned mine sites in Ontario. This regulation will supplement existing critical mineral supply chains, create new economic opportunities for businesses, and position Ontario as a global leader of responsibly sourced metals and minerals. Ontario will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to have a dedicated regulatory pathway to recover residual metals and minerals from mine waste when the new framework comes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Strategic priority: To continue to support the Critical Minerals Strategy and advance the Ring of Fire to make Ontario a leading mining jurisdiction

Description: MEM continues to advance Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy to position the province as a globally competitive jurisdiction ready to meet rising international demand for responsibly sourced critical minerals. By connecting Ontario’s rich mineral deposits—particularly in the Ring of Fire—with the province’s world-class manufacturing sector, the ministry is helping secure supply chains for clean technologies, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. Through coordinated planning with partner ministries, Indigenous communities, and other levels of government, MEM is supporting the development of strategic transportation and community infrastructure in the Ring of Fire region in an environmentally responsible and inclusive way.

Progress/results achieved:

• March 2025 was the three-year anniversary of Ontario’s first-ever Critical Minerals Strategy – a comprehensive, five-year blueprint to strengthen Ontario’s position as a global leader in supplying critical minerals. This strategy is improving Ontario’s regulatory framework, building economic development opportunities with Indigenous partners, and supporting the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable economy.
• The progress was clear.
  • In 2024, Ontario produced approximately $3.6 billion worth of critical minerals. The value of critical minerals exploration investment grew by $76 million in 2024 and totaled $460 million – an increase of roughly 20 per cent over 2023. In 2024, there were 212 critical mineral exploration projects reporting activity in Ontario, and 92 active lithium exploration projects.
• An important commitment in the Critical Minerals Strategy was the launch of the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) in 2022. The CMIF connects critical minerals producers in the north with the manufacturing sector in the south to support innovative technologies, such as batteries and electric vehicles. Through this fund, the Ontario government continues to invest in the critical minerals sector and enhance research and development of new technologies.
• The $25 million fund is supporting 29 Ontario-based critical mineral innovation projects that are leading the development of new mining technologies focused on building the critical minerals supply chain. These companies are doing ground-breaking work to solve challenges in exploration, mining, and processing.
• The Ontario government has committed close to $1 billion to support critical legacy infrastructure such as all-season roads, broadband connectivity and community supports in the Ring of Fire region to keep moving forward on one of the most promising mineral deposits in Canada – one that will play a critical role in the manufacturing of batteries, electronics, electric vehicles (EVs) and other technologies.
• In March 2024, the Ontario government, Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation signed an agreement to develop community infrastructure projects that could support future development opportunities in the area, including building all-seasons roads to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region.
• Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations are leading the planning of the proposed road projects in the Ring of Fire region. As the project proponents, the two First Nations are taking responsibility for thoroughly assessing potential impacts to Aboriginal and treaty rights and interests and maximizing opportunities for First Nations people. Ontario is committed to working with First Nation communities, supporting them to reach their goals, including all-season road access to their communities and the Ring of Fire, and meeting its duty to consult.

Strategic priority: To continue to administer Resource Revenue Sharing with Indigenous communities, with partnering ministries

Description: MEM continues to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to implement Resource Revenue Sharing (RRS) agreements that support greater Indigenous participation in Ontario’s mineral sector. RRS enables Indigenous communities to share in the economic benefits of resource development, while supporting local priorities, community capacity-building, and long-term reconciliation. By creating new opportunities for Indigenous economic development, RRS helps strengthen partnerships and improve social and economic outcomes across the province.

Progress/results achieved:

• Ontario currently has ten RRS agreements; eight with First Nations covering 44 communities, and two with Métis organizations sharing aggregate, forestry and mining revenues. Funding is designed to be flexible, and recipients can use RRS funds for a variety of objectives, including economic development, community development and education.
  • For example, First Nations have used funding to hire staff to review permit applications and provide expertise to respond to requests from government or industry.
  • Funds have also been used for workforce training and development to support filling industry jobs, and invested in community infrastructure, including building housing lots, improvement and maintenance of roads and repairing community buildings.
• The payments are made every December and are based on revenue collected in the previous fiscal year. Since 2018, Ontario has shared approximately $289 million in resource revenues from mining, forestry, and aggregates with Indigenous partners through RRS agreements, including $125 million from mining tax and royalty.

Strategic priority: To position Ontario as the #1 jurisdiction in mineral development

• Description: MEM engages and collaborates with Indigenous Peoples and communities, northerners, the mining industry, federal departments, and other provincial ministries to encourage responsible and sustainable mineral development. These efforts help ensure Ontario remains competitive in an ever-changing global market—continuing to attract new investment, expand economic opportunities, and solidify the province’s position as the leading jurisdiction for mineral exploration and development.

Progress/results achieved:

• The government continues to invest in the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP), which began in 2021.
  • OJEP helps junior mining companies finance early exploration projects by covering up to $200,000 in eligible costs for critical and precious mineral exploration and development.
  • The total committed investment in OJEP is now $45 million over five years, including a $12 million critical minerals stream.
  • Through the fifth intake of funding, Ontario has committed $13 million in funding for 84 projects, to search for potential mineral deposits and attract further investment in this growing sector.