The Ministry of Energy’s responsibility is ensuring that Ontario's electricity system functions with reliability and productivity, and promoting innovation in the energy sector. In April 2002, it was renamed the Ministry of Energy, with the newly created
Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation taking over responsibility for its science and technology portfolio. It was integrated as the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure between 2007 and 2010, before it was split back into the Ministry of Energy on August 18, 2010. The Minister of Energy is the Honourable
Greg Rickford
Greg Rickford (born September 24, 1967) is a Canadian politician. He is the Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs in the Executive Council of Ontario under Premier Doug Ford. He represents the Kenora-Rainy River r ...
.
In 2021, the Ministry of Energy again became a separate ministry when the
Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
The Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines (MENDM) was the ministry responsible for developing a safe, reliable and affordable energy supply across the province, overseeing Ontario’s mineral sector and promoting northern economic an ...
merged with the
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
The Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is a government ministry of the Canadian province of Ontario that is responsible for Ontario's provincial parks, forests, fisheries, wildlife, mineral aggregates and the Crown lands ...
to form the
.
Responsibilities
Several agencies and crown corporations are under the Ministry:
*
Hydro One
Hydro One Limited is an electricity transmission and distribution utility serving the Canadian province of Ontario. Hydro One traces its history to the early 20th century and the establishment of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario ( ...
1999–present; created from the breakup of Ontario Hydro
*
Independent Electricity System Operator
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is the Crown corporation responsible for operating the electricity market and directing the operation of the bulk electrical system in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is one of seven independ ...
(IESO) 1998–present; created from the breakup of Ontario Hydro
**
Ontario Power Authority
The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) was an independent, non-profit corporation established through the Electricity Restructuring Act, 2004 (Bill 100). Licensed by the Ontario Energy Board, it reported to the Ontario legislature through the Ministry ...
2004-2015; now merged with IESO; created from the breakup of Ontario Hydro
*
Ontario Energy Board
The Ontario Energy Board regulates natural gas and electricity utilities in the province of Ontario, Canada. This includes setting rates, and licensing all participants in the electricity sector including the Independent Electricity System Operato ...
1999–present; created from the breakup of Ontario Hydro
*
Ontario Power Generation
Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) is a Crown corporations of Canada, Crown corporation and "government business enterprise" that is responsible for approximately half of the electricity generation in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is w ...
(OPG) 1999–present; created from the breakup of Ontario Hydro
From 1974 to 1999
Ontario Hydro
Ontario Hydro, established in 1906 as the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, was a publicly owned electricity utility in the Province of Ontario. It was formed to build transmission lines to supply municipal utilities with electricity ge ...
reported to the Minister, but the public utility was broken up into various agencies and crown corporations. Prior to 1974 Ontario Hydro reported to Commissioners appointed by the Premier and a few were Ministers without Portfolio.
The Commission was headed by a Chairman:
* Sir
Adam Beck
Sir Adam Beck (June 20, 1857 – August 15, 1925) was a Canadian politician and hydroelectricity advocate who founded the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario.
Biography
Beck was born in Baden, Upper Canada (now Ontario) to German i ...
1906-1925 -referred to as Minister of Power
*
John Robert Cooke 1931-1934
*
Robert H. Saunders 1948-1953
*
George E Gathercole
George may refer to:
People
* George (given name)
* George (surname)
* George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George
* George Washington, First President of the United States
* George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...
1962-1974
History
The Department of Energy Resources was established by legislation in 1959. The Ontario Fuel Board was also attached to the department until 1960. When the board was dissolved in 1960, its administrative functions were assumed by the department, while its judicial functions were taken over by the
Ontario Energy Board
The Ontario Energy Board regulates natural gas and electricity utilities in the province of Ontario, Canada. This includes setting rates, and licensing all participants in the electricity sector including the Independent Electricity System Operato ...
.
In 1964, the department acquired responsibility over the conservation authorities from the
Department of Lands and Forests, and was renamed the Department of Energy and Resources Management.
In 1970, the energy responsibilities of the department, including the Ontario Energy Board, were removed and transferred to the
Department of Mines and Northern Affairs. The remaining responsibilities over conservation, air management and waste manager form the new Department of the Environment in 1971.
In 1973, the Ministry of Energy was re-established,
[The Ministry of Energy Act, Statutes of Ontario 1973, Chap. 56] assuming responsibilities over energy policy; energy conservation and planning; and energy technology development. Agencies which reported to the ministry included the Ontario Energy Board, the Ontario Energy Corporation, and
Ontario Hydro
Ontario Hydro, established in 1906 as the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, was a publicly owned electricity utility in the Province of Ontario. It was formed to build transmission lines to supply municipal utilities with electricity ge ...
.
Over the years, the ministry was merged with various other ministries:
* Between 1993 and 1997, the ministry was amalgamated with the
Ministry of the Environment to form the Ministry of Environment and Energy
* Between 1997 and 2002, the ministry took on responsibility for Science and Technology and was known as the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology.
* Between April to August 2002, the ministry was again briefly merged with Ministry of the Environment to form the Ministry of Environment and Energy
* Between 2008 and 2010, the ministry was merged with the
Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal to form the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
* Between 2018 and 2021, the ministry was merged with the
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
The Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines (MENDM) was the ministry responsible for developing a safe, reliable and affordable energy supply across the province, overseeing Ontario’s mineral sector and promoting northern economic an ...
to form the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
List of Ministers
References
External links
Ministry of EnergyMinister's biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ministry Of Energy And Infrastructure (Ontario)
Energy
In physics, energy (from Ancient Greek: ἐνέργεια, ''enérgeia'', “activity”) is the quantitative property that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of heat a ...
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...