Residents rally against Ford’s planned expansion of Toronto power plant

Some residents of an east end Toronto neighbourhood are speaking out against the Ford government’s proposal for a nearby gas plant, calling it “climate lunacy.”

A townhall in Riverdale on Wednesday saw residents and some local politicians rally against the province’s planned expansion of the Portlands Energy Centre, a move attendees fear will make air pollution worse.

The province says the expansion of the plant would give Ontario’s energy grid a much-needed boost.

“We need to show the premier that this is a lot of BS,” says Alan Silverman, a member of Seniors for Climate Action Now.

The Portlands Energy Centre in south Riverdale produces electricity for Toronto and Ontario using, in part, natural gas. Environmental advocates say it is already the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the city.

Organizers of Wednesday’s townhall at Ralph Thornton Community Centre included the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, Toronto East End Climate Collective, and Environment Defence. The group says the Ford government and Ontario Power Generation’s expansion plan will allow them to increase the burning of polluting gas, including on the hottest and smoggiest summer days.

“This is the largest single source of climate pollution in the city of Toronto,” says Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. “At a time when we’re facing a climate emergency. We have smoky skies, extreme heat.”

“Now is the time to get rid of fossil gas and embrace renewables.”

Attendees at the townhall instead want the province to look at cleaner and more cost-effective solutions like improving energy efficiency and shifting electricity demand from peak to off-peak periods.

“One of the solutions may be that we have to ask Prime Minister Trudeau to step in and issue clean electricity regulations to prohibit the expansion,” says Jack Gibbons, chair of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance.

The province announced its plan to expand the plant back in May, days after Toronto City Council passed a motion opposing any new natural gas generation in the city. The move will make it more difficult for the city to meets its ambitious TransformTO pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2040.

CityNews reached out to the Ontario’s Ministry of Energy for comment and a timeline of the plant’s expansion. A spokesperson for the energy minister pointed out a report that lays out the government’s plan to “build out a clean electricity grid.”

“These initiatives will advance a diverse and clean supply mix, positioning Ontario to support electrification, EV adoption and energy affordability while competing for international investments,” reads a statement from ministry spokesperson Michael Dodsworth.

The statement from the province did not touch on the timing of the expansion.