Tories tout accelerated transmission line work

Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives touted a plan Friday to accelerate new electricity transmission lines to the province’s southwest, saying the infrastructure would supply clean energy and further support economic growth in the region.

PC Leader Doug Ford said his government had secured several large auto investments over the past four years, including a Stellantis-LG electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, Ont. With that project and others set to grow both the local economy and demand for reliable energy, Ford said his party was committed to ensuring support for the region.

The Tories would fast-track the development of five new electricity transmission projects in the area if re-elected June 2, Ford said.

“We will stop at nothing to build the necessary infrastructure just to support these investments,” he said during an appearance at an automotive supplier in Windsor, noting that electricity demand in southwestern Ontario is projected to more than double in the next five years.

The transmission projects between London, Windsor and Sarnia are expected to cost more than $1 billion and are proposed to be developed in phases through 2030.

Recent media reports said LG Chem had been in talks with Invest WindsorEssex, a non-profit responsible for advancing economic development in the region, to set up a proposed $2.5-billion plant in Windsor but the region couldn’t support the amount of electricity needed for the facility.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, who endorsed Ford, said Friday that the Tory leader and party officials have confirmed that the province will have the electricity required to support a proposed facility in Windsor after all.

“Energy will not be the limiting factor for that facility,” Dilkens said. “And I’m thrilled to announce that as a result of the work that the province has done over the past few weeks.”