TERRE hosted a webinar on February 18, 2025 about the current Provincial Government’s energy plans to expand gas-fired electricity generation and nuclear power. This presentation includes important information on Ontario’s energy future. Here is the webinar recording link. 

On December 17, 2024, the Ministry of Energy requested input into its “Consultation to support the important role for natural gas in Ontario’s energy system and economy” with a very short 30-day comment period on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO). Not surprisingly, TERRE’s analysis detailed that the fundamental basis for this proposed policy – the continued use of natural gas well into the future in Ontario’s energy system is both a cost-effective and sustainable option – is faulty and short-sighted. It is very disconcerting to read this proposal when it is clear that an increasing number of countries have reduced their reliance on natural gas, and have been successful in providing the electricity their people need and a healthier air shed with renewable sources. The Ontario government continues to push natural gas at its own peril and the peril of its citizens and natural environment. To read our full submission to the ERO, click here.

On December 14, 2024 with the Portlands gas plant in the background, TERRE held a media event to reiterate our demands to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to require a comprehensive environmental review of the Portlands Energy Centre expansion project, after the failure of Atura Power to address MECP and public concerns in its revised screening report. The event was reported on in Beach Metro News. You can watch the event highlights here.

More than 125 people attended our Rally for a Renewable Energy Future in Kew Gardens on November 2, 2024. The rally featured amazing speakers including: Keith Brooks from Environmental Defence who spoke of the health and climate impacts of fossil gas electricity production, calling the Portlands Energy Centre (PEC) the “front line for the climate fight here in Toronto”; Alex Lam from Fridays for Future Toronto who criticized so-called leaders and the fossil fuel industry for their actions that are dooming the futures of youth; Angela Bischoff from Ontario Clean Air Alliance who pointed out the proven, cost-effective renewable energy solutions that could replace PEC by 2030. The crowd was entertained with inspiring music from Avery Florence. We took to the streets with our signs and chants and marched east to Beach United Church to see renewable energy in action in our community with their solar rooftop.

On May 25, 2024 organizers from TERRE, EDC, SCAN!, TEECC, Toronto350, and other local groups intervened on a rainy day at the entrance to PEC to raise concerns about the plant being showcased during Doors Open Toronto and to counter the greenwashing during the event (for example, Atura had the Earth Rangers on hand for kid’s activities and they were selling PEC-branded honey from bees kept on site!). Our group was very visible at the entrance with ‘No More Gas Plants’ signs lining the roadway and an inflated “elephant in the room” representing the climate, health, and socio-economic concerns on the plant expansion that have not been addressed by Atura Power. The Red Rebels Brigade, outfitted with red umbrellas and red costumes, completed the scene for people coming to the plant. We handed out flyers outlining the climate and health concerns about PEC and suggesting questions people could ask when they were taking the tour. Post-Event Update: TERRE then wrote a letter to Doors Open Toronto about the discordance of PEC’s participation in this annual event, particularly given Toronto’s climate goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040. We are pleased to report that we heard back from Doors Open that PEC would NOT be participating in the 2025 Doors Open Toronto event.

Our May 15, 2024 public forum on the health impacts from gas-burning electricity plants was attended by over 80 local residents. Dr. Mili Roy from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) provided a compelling overview of the health hazards associated with gas plants including Portlands Energy Centre (PEC). Dr. Roy pointed out that there is no safe human exposure limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a key contaminant released by the PEC plant, the largest emitter of NO₂ in the city of Toronto. Other speakers included Toronto-Danforth MPP Peter Tabuns, a former City of Toronto Board of Health Chair, and long-standing City Councillor Paula Fletcher, whose ward encompasses the Portlands site. Both Peter and Paula reaffirmed their support for phasing out PEC in order to protect the health of local residents and address the climate crisis.

TERRE, in collaboration with the Ontario Clean Air Alliance (OCAA), held a press conference at Queen’s Park, sponsored by Toronto-Danforth MPP Peter Tabuns, where we detailed our concerns with the proposed expansion of PEC, Atura Power’s inadequate screening process and announced our elevation request to Minister Khanjin. Our press release was featured in the National Observer.

TERRE made a formal request on April 24 to the Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), Andrea Khanjin, to elevate the PEC project screening to a comprehensive Environmental Review. Our submission to MECP was supported by 19 environmental and health organizations. If Minister Khanjin agrees with us, the project will have to undergo a more comprehensive assessment and additional scrutiny prior to any work being done to expand PEC’s generating capacity.

We attended the Citizens’ Climate Lobby at Queen’s Park where TERRE members and more than fifty climate activists sat down with MPPs to discuss three asks: pause the expansion of methane-fired (i.e., “natural gas”) electricity generation; expand conservation and renewable energy; and, support the OEB decision to end gas subsidies for new homes.

On January 5, 2024 along with seventeen other climate and health groups, TERRE submitted comments to Atura on its Draft Screening Report (DSR) for its proposed 50 MW capacity expansion of the Portlands Energy Centre (PEC). Our main concerns were that the DSR failed to address: why the expansion should proceed despite opposition of the Toronto City Council; the climate and health impacts of the expansion and increased operation of the plant; the financial cost of the expansion; and the alternative considered by Atura. Atura Power published its final Screening Report at the end of March. Unfortunately, the final report does not address the significant concerns of the community about the health and climate impacts of the proposed expansion.

TERRE’s first public event featured several speakers including local residents Joyce McLean and David Smith, Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, Toronto-Danforth MPP Peter Tabuns, Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon, and representatives from Environmental Defence Canada. At the conclusion of the rally we marched to Federal Toronto-Danforth MP Julie Dabrusin’s office. Petitions from our November 4th action were presented to MPP Peter Tabuns and MP Julie Dabrusin.