FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 20, 2018
The Ontario Government Proposes Expanding Access to Natural Gas
QUEEN’S PARK – Yesterday Premier Ford, Minister Rickford and Minister McNaughton announced that the Ontario Government will be taking action to expand natural gas access to families and businesses throughout rural and Northern Ontario. This proposed legislation, if passed, will result in an innovative partnership with local communities and the private sector.
Expanding natural gas would make Ontario communities more attractive for job creation and new businesses. This sends a clear message that Ontario is “Open for Business.”
“Under the previous government’s restrictions, private sector companies were limited from participating in some natural gas expansion, portions of which were instead managed by a taxpayer-funded grant program.” Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma stated.
For the average residential consumer in Ontario, the switch from electric heat, propane or oil to natural gas would result in savings between $800 to $2,500 per year.
The proposed Natural Gas Expansion Support Program charge would be limited to a very low cost to consumers that is more than offset by the savings families and businesses will receive from the cancellation of the cap-and-trade carbon tax.
“Expanding natural gas will make Ontario communities more attractive for job creation and new businesses,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure. “This is part of our government’s plan to bring quality jobs back to Ontario and to send the clear message that Ontario is Open for Business.”
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For more information, contact MPP Will Bouma at 519-759-0361 or will.bouma@pc.ola.org