(Toronto, Canada) - Ontario is proposing changes to local electricity utilities that would require longer-term infrastructure planning and extend winter disconnection protections to residents served by unit sub-meter providers.

The government’s October 27 announcement outlines legislative and regulatory proposals, rather than confirming that the changes are already law.

The package includes ten-year utility plans covering asset condition, financing and workforce needs; greater use of shared services; and new powers for joint purchasing, including Ontario and Canadian procurement.

It also proposes stronger governance standards for municipally owned utilities and their holding-company boards. For condominium, apartment and other multi-unit residents served by unit sub-meter providers, the government proposes a winter disconnection ban and greater billing transparency.

Ontario says its 58 local distribution companies provide the final connection between the electricity grid and customers. The release cites an Electricity Distributors Association forecast of up to $120 billion in distribution investment over twenty years; that is an industry estimate, not a new provincial funding commitment.

The province says a directive to the Ontario Energy Board would follow legislative approval. The announcement does not establish an implementation date for the proposed protections.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines, October 27.

Editorial illustration of local electricity distribution and multi-unit housing; not a particular utility site.