Thanks very much to the member opposite for the question.

Quite the opposite: We’re investing in clean, non-emitting generation here in our province, like our nuclear facilities which are on time and ahead of schedule—those big Candu reactors at Darlington and Bruce—and potentially extending Pickering as well, where we get 60% of our clean, non-emitting electricity every day.

We’re investing in the largest procurement in Canada’s history in battery storage facilities. These are going to be located across the province to support all of the growth that we’re seeing in Ontario right now. Under the Premier’s watch, we’re seeing multi-billion dollar investments every day on an EV strategy.

I will point out that the member opposite loves his renewables. There is a role for renewables. But last Thursday, during the hottest day of the year, when it comes to solar, 14% of the solar capacity in our province showed up. If this member was in charge of our grid, we would have brownouts—

According to our system operator—I asked them last year what it would mean if we were to phase out gas in our system. They said it would be $100 extra per family per month—that’s more than a hydro bill—and it would result in brownouts and blackouts in our system. That is what the member opposite is advocating for. We’re not going to be doing that.

We’re going to make sure we’ve got the power that’s there so that we can continue to see the record, multi-billion dollar investments that the Minister of Economic Development and the Premier are bringing home to Ontario from other jurisdictions. They’re doing it because we have a clean grid.

We are going to ensure the power is there when residents go to turn on their lights in the morning and manufacturers are set to build—

Thanks for the thoughtful question.

The experts at Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator have been clear: Generation from natural gas plays a key role as a flexible, adaptable source of electricity that can respond quickly to periods of heightened demand.

The member is correct that we can’t move backwards—and we’re moving forward on the days that we’re bringing manufacturing jobs that were once fleeing our province back to our jurisdiction and sent electricity prices skyrocketing.

That’s why we’re looking at every option to ensure that Ontario doesn’t experience blackouts and brownouts. By maintaining our reliable and affordable grid, we’re also enabling electrification in other sectors, like transportation, resulting in a net reduction in emissions in Ontario.

Just one example is green steelmaking. As he mentioned in his previous question, Algoma and Dofasco switching to electric arc furnaces is going to mean emissions reductions equivalent to taking two million cars off the road.

We’re going to ensure that we have the reliable, affordable, clean and safe power that Ontario needs to keep our economy moving forward.

I want to assure the member from Whitby that, yes, the power is going to be there and the lights will go on when they flick the switches in Canada’s clean energy capital in Durham region.

We’re taking action to ensure that our electricity grid can support the incredible growth and the electrification that we’re seeing in Ontario. Our work includes announcing Canada’s first grid-scale small modular reactor on the site not too far from his riding, in Darlington. Just last week I was pleased to join my federal counterpart, Minister Wilkinson: $970 million is on its way to that project from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

We’re supporting the continued operation of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. We’ve increased efficiency programs—$342 million to expand those efficiency programs. We’re re-contracting biomass and hydroelectric, and our ongoing competitive procurement that’s in place is going ensure we’re getting the reliable and affordable electricity that we need to power this province.