Silo Mentalities: Transmission Lines through the North

In 2007, the ECO undertook an extensive analysis of the environmental implications of various land use policies and allocation decisions in Ontario’s northern boreal landscape. The following articles are included: Developing priorities: The challenge of creating a sustainable planning system in Northern Ontario
The North: A Region of Continental Ecological Importance Silo Mentalities: Environmental Assessments North of the AOU Land Use Planning in the Northern Boreal Initiative Forestry and Wood Supply Silo Mentalities: Transmission Lines through the North MNDM's Mineral Development Strategy for Ontario	Silo Mentalities: Protected Areas and Mining – Lessons Learned? Duty to Consult with First Nations Breaking down silos in the North Precautionary approach to land use planning A clean slate for land use planning in the North

Ontario’s existing electricity system is strained by limited generating capacity, while the demand for electricity in the province is expected to keep growing. To add to the pressure, the Ontario government has committed to shutting down all of the province’s coal-fired generating plants. Accordingly, the Ministry of Energy – responsible for setting the policy framework for the supply, transmission and delivery of electricity for all of Ontario – is looking for new ways to improve the province’s electricity supply.

The ministry is considering new hydroelectric generation sources in both northern Ontario and adjoining provinces as one way to meet Ontario’s growing energy demands, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and simultaneously stimulating economic development in the North. Currently, the ministry is working with Manitoba to reach a long-term agreement to import electricity from the proposed Conawapa hydroelectricity facility in Northern Manitoba.

This proposed new energy supply initiative would require the construction of a major transmission line – including a substantial new transmission corridor, as well as related infrastructure and supporting road networks – across Ontario’s North, to deliver electricity from the generating station in Northern Manitoba to the primary area of electricity demand in southern Ontario. The proposed transmission corridor likely would run directly through thousands of kilometers of intact boreal forest in northern Ontario, fragmenting habitat for many species. To date, no environmental study has been conducted to evaluate the proposed transmission project.

Despite the significant implications that the Ministry of Energy’s policies and decisions may have on the northern environment, these decisions generally are made in isolation from other planning and decision-making processes affecting the north.

---

This is an article from the 2006/07 Annual Report to the Legislature from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. Table of Contents Information on the official document and its release.

Citing This Article:
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 2007. "Developing Priorities: The Challenge of Creating a Sustainable Planning System in Northern Ontario." Reconciling our Priorities, ECO Annual Report, 2006-07. Toronto, ON : Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 63.