Bridging the Gap: Confronting the Disconnect Between Equity Commitments and Realities in Ontario’s Energy Transition

Abstract

Globally, energy demands are escalating. Yet, much of this global energy demand is still being met through fossil fuels, thereby contributing to climate change. To mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development, an energy transition to a low-carbon economy is necessary, characterized by electrification (replacing fossil fuels with electricity) and a shift toward sustainable electricity generation through renewable energy sources. However, there remain significant obstacles to such an energy transition, including uneven policy support, lower power generation capacity, inadequate infrastructure (including energy storage), conflicts over land use, high upfront costs, and low public awareness. Equity and inclusion must be central to Ontario’s energy transition, ensuring that marginalized groups are not excluded in future energy planning. This thesis explores the context around Ontario’s energy transition, with particular focus on how energy justice is considered within decision-making processes. Despite Ontario's relatively low-carbon electricity system, marked by significant reliance on nuclear and hydroelectric power, challenges persist since the required transformation (increased generation capacity alongside environmental considerations) presents key innovation, engineering, financing, and socio-political challenges. The evolution of Ontario’s electricity infrastructure has been shaped by systemic disparities, with Indigenous communities continuing to face challenges rooted in colonial energy governance, including, but not limited to, restricted access to reliable and affordable energy resources. In contemporary times, Ontario’s energy transition has been marked by uneven development, contested priorities, and fluctuating commitment to renewable energy, raising urgent questions about governance, equity, and accountability. Drawing on expert insights from across the sector, this thesis examines Ontario’s energy sector through an equity-informed lens, exploring how equity considerations are currently, and could be more effectively, integrated into energy decision-making processes. Specifically, the study investigates how existing equity indicators are interpreted, where they fall short, and what more context-sensitive, justice-oriented metrics might look like. This study is crucial as it seeks to bridge the current knowledge gap by focusing on the social dimensions of energy systems, which have historically been overlooked in decision-making processes in favor of technical and economic considerations. The significance of this research lies in its potential to inform policymakers and stakeholders, providing insights that could lead to more informed and contextually rich decision-making. By focusing on the often-neglected social aspects of energy systems, the research will contribute significantly to the field of energy justice, advocating for a transition that is not only sustainable but also equitable. The study advocates for a multivalent approach, one that integrates social, technical, environmental, economic, and governance dimensions, to operationalize energy justice in Ontario. Findings reveal that equity cannot be achieved through isolated interventions but requires rethinking energy governance from fragmented, short-term fixes to long-term, systemic transformation. This includes transparent and participatory decision-making, recognition of lived experience alongside technical expertise, equity-based pricing mechanisms, targeted investments in underserved communities, and intergenerational planning. These interconnected strategies offer expert-informed directions for building an energy transition that truly serves the public good.