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Ontario Assembly Bill

Ontario Bill 36

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
December 08, 2022
Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022
  • This explanatory note provides additional information about Bill 36, which has been enacted as Chapter 23 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2022. The note explains that it is not part of the law itself. Schedule 1 of the bill adds a new part to the Electricity Act, 1998, which establishes a framework for the transfer and recognition of clean energy credits. These credits can only be transferred to specified electricity consumers if they are recognized on a clean energy credit registry. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is responsible for establishing or designating the registry. Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 amend the Fuel Tax Act and Gasoline Tax Act, respectively, to extend the period during which a reduction of tax payable by purchasers of clear fuel and gasoline is available. Schedule 4 enacts the Interim Appropriation for 2023-2024 Act, 2022, which authorizes expenditures pending the voting of supply for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2024. Schedule 5 amends the Legislative Assembly Act to repeal a subsection related to the salary freeze for members of the Legislative Assembly. Schedule 6 amends the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income Act to double the amount payable to eligible recipients for the period of January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Schedule 7 amends the Pension Benefits Act to include collective agreements as documents that create and support a pension plan. It also requires pension plans that provide target benefits to have funding and governance policies. Schedule 8 amends the Securities Act to authorize or require alternative methods of delivering documents to persons or companies under specified provisions of the Act. Schedule 9 enacts the Supplementary Interim Appropriation for 2022-2023 Act, 2022, which authorizes additional expenditures pending the voting of supply for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023. Schedule 10 amends the Taxation Act, 2007, to provide different conditions for eligible tangible property expenditures in respect of leased real property. Each schedule has its own commencement date, which is specified in the bill.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • RA
  • Yea (9)
  • Nay (10)
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • One steelman argument in favor of the provisions outlined in this explanatory note is that they promote transparency and accountability in the energy sector. By establishing a clean energy credit registry and requiring transferors and transferees to register with the registry, the government is creating a system that tracks and verifies the transfer of clean energy credits. This helps ensure that environmental attributes associated with the generation of electricity are accurately accounted for and that clean energy credits are only transferred to specified electricity consumers who meet the necessary requirements. Furthermore, the provisions in this explanatory note also require the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and Ontario Power Generation Inc. to apply their proceeds from the transfer of clean energy credits as directed by the Minister of Energy. This ensures that the funds generated from the transfer of clean energy credits are used in a manner that aligns with the government's energy and environmental goals. Additionally, the amendments made to other statutes, such as the Fuel Tax Act and Gasoline Tax Act, extend the period during which a reduction of tax payable by purchasers of clear fuel and gasoline, respectively, is applicable. This can incentivize the use of cleaner energy sources and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, these provisions aim to create a more transparent and accountable energy sector, promote the use of clean energy sources, and support the government's environmental goals.

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Opposing Argument: Bill 36, also known as the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022, introduces various measures and amendments to different statutes in Ontario. One of the key provisions in this bill is the establishment of a clean energy credit registry under the Electricity Act, 1998. While the intention behind this provision may be to promote clean energy and reduce carbon emissions, there are several concerns from a right-wing, anti-government perspective. Firstly, the creation of a clean energy credit registry gives the government more control and authority over the energy sector. This goes against the principles of limited government intervention and free market competition that are valued by right-wing ideologies. By requiring certain entities to make environmental attributes available for transfer and imposing restrictions on their transfer, the government is interfering with the natural functioning of the market. Secondly, the regulations under this bill may restrict certain entities from making environmental attributes available for transfer. This restriction can limit the choices available to businesses and individuals in the energy sector, hindering their ability to make decisions based on their own interests and preferences. It is important to allow market forces to determine the most efficient and effective ways to reduce carbon emissions, rather than relying on government regulations and restrictions. Furthermore, the requirement for transferors and transferees to register with the clean energy credit registry adds unnecessary bureaucracy and administrative burden. This can increase compliance costs for businesses and individuals, diverting resources away from productive activities and hindering economic growth. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and Ontario Power Generation Inc. to apply their proceeds from the transfer of clean energy credits as directed by the Minister of Energy. This gives the government control over the use of these proceeds, potentially leading to inefficient allocation of resources and favoritism towards certain projects or initiatives. In conclusion, while the intention behind Bill 36 may be to promote clean energy and reduce carbon emissions, the provisions in this bill go against right-wing, anti-government principles. The establishment of a clean energy credit registry, restrictions on transfer, and government control over the use of proceeds undermine free market competition and individual choice. It is important to prioritize limited government intervention and allow market forces to drive innovation and efficiency in the energy sector.
Royal Assent
  • Dec. 8, 2022, noon
  • Read

Assembly Motion No. 4373

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Dec. 6, 2022, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 36
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2022, chapter 23
  • Third Reading of Bill 36, An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes.

Assembly Motion No. 4372

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Dec. 6, 2022, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 36
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2022, chapter 23
  • Motion for closure on the motion for Third Reading of Bill 36, An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes.
Third Reading
  • Dec. 6, 2022, midnight
  • Passed
Second Reading
  • Dec. 1, 2022, midnight
  • Passed

Assembly Motion No. 4379

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Nov. 17, 2022, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 36
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2022, chapter 23
  • Second Reading of Bill 36, An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes.

Assembly Motion No. 4378

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Nov. 17, 2022, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 36
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2022, chapter 23
  • Motion for closure on Second Reading of Bill 36, An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes.
First Reading
  • Nov. 14, 2022, midnight
  • Passed