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Alifelonglegacyofstorytelling:Creston'sMichaelMorrisshareswisdom
ByKelseyYates
Formorethansixdecades,MichaelMorris hasbeentellingstories—onatypewriter, a classroom chalkboard, from a mayor’s chair, and now from his room at Swan Valley Lodge.
This June marks the 16th anniversary of his weekly column in the Chapleau Express, his belovedhometownnewspaperinOntario.These days, with more limited dexterity, Morris receiveshelpfromSwanValleystafftocontinue submitting his work — a gesture he says makes allthedifference.
“They are very helpful to me in getting my column done, because I really can't. I have troubletyping,”hesaid.“Inevertooktypingbut reportersofmygeneration,wecanmovelikehell withtwofingers.”
Morris still has a sharp memory and easily recalls the details of places, dates, and names.Astoryteller by nature, he easily charms his visitors with shared anecdotes from his vibrantlifeoftravel,newsroomantics,anddays intheclassroom.
His columns, Chapleau Moments, are love letters to the town that shaped him. Even withthetown'stinypopulationof1,900,Morris hasmanagedtominestoriesfromhisdeepfamily rootsformanyyears.
Morriswasjustachildwhenhisfather,a formerpoliceofficerand Second World War bomber pilot, was shot downandkilled.Hewas raisedinChapleaubyhis mother and grandparents and credits their valueswithguidinghim throughouthislife.
“Mom was a teacher for 40 years, and I never heard an unkind word about my mother,” hesaid.“IthinkItriedveryhardtobelikemom.”
Despitesomehardshipandstruggleswith alcoholism,Morrisrecoveredandfoundsuccess in his career. After earning his degree at the University of Waterloo — where he edited the student newspaper and launched his journalism career—hereceivedfivejoboffersfromOntario newspapers. Over the years, he worked for 12 publications across Canada, including freelance workfortheTorontoStar.
He learned a lot from the "old-school,
tough-as-nails"editorsheworkedunder.Oneof them,attheStarPhoenixinSaskatoon,oncetold him:“Journalistshavenofriendsandnoenemies. Justtellthetruth.”
"Mr.Wadehadhisfavouritestaffgotothe liquorstoreat10o'clockeverymorningandget him a bottle. And if you were a good boy, you couldhaveadrink.Butnobodythoughtanything ofit.Wecouldstillsmokeinanyroom.Ismoked apackofcigarettesbeforedeadline,"saidMorris.
Beyond those startling cultural differences,thetoolsofthetradeweredifferenttoo. Cont’donP.4
MichaelMorrisisaresidentofCreston'sSwanValleyLodge.(KelseyYates/CrestonValleyAdvance)
WeatherSummaryforOntario
Temperatures
For the month of May, the mean temperature was near normal for most of the province. The northwest, however, was warmer thannormal,especiallynearLakeoftheWoods. Partsofthesouthwestsawaslightlycoolerthan normalmonth.
On finer time scales, daily temperatures throughout the month showed somewhat coherent trends around the province. After a week of cool and then warm days, an intense warm spell began toward the end of the second week. Truly summer-like temperatures were recorded provincewide with many daily maximum high temperature records set, most noticeablyonthe13th(e.g.EarFalls:32.0oCand Timmins: 31.4oC). Then during the third week, drastically colder air moved in across all areas
SignificantEvents
May 2025: Hot and Cool Spells with Dry Skies in the Northwest Pimii Kamik Gas Bar & Gift Shop
with mean daily temperatures dropping by around 15oC. Overnight temperatures on the 20th hit some record lows that were below freezing in the south (e.g. Newmarket: -1.2oC and Tillsonburg: -4.0oC). This colder air mass remainedinplacewellintothefourthweekafter which temperatures recovered with summerlike heatagaininthenorthandFarNorth.Generally, themonththenendedcooler.
Precipitation
Precipitation for the month varied considerably across the province. Notably, the northwest experienced significantly drier-thannormal conditions, worsening the already precarious fire situation in the area. Kenora recorded a mere 9% of its normal May total. Other parts of the north and the Far North were alsodrierthannormal.
In southern Ontario, monthly precipitation anomalies varied with parts of the southwestandcentralareasexperiencingwetterthan-normal conditions. The extreme east and southwest were slightly drier than normal. Generally, the third week was the wettest with some record daily amounts on the 22nd (e.g. Cobourgwith36mm)andthesecondweek,the driestacrosstheprovince.
May 16: Thunderstorms and Season's First TornadoStrikeSouthwesternOntario
Severe thunderstorms with strong wind gusts swept through the Chatham-Kent region overnightThursday.Adownburstwithestimated winds near 130 km/h destroyed several barns, farm buildings, hydro poles, and uprooted numerous trees. In Chatham, power outages affected approximately 4,800 Entegrus customers. The Chatham airport (CYCK) recorded wind gusts of 55 knots at 2:27 AM Friday.Around3:00AM,anEF0tornadostruck near Woodstock in Lakeside, marking Ontario's firstrecordedtornadooftheseason.Thetornado, with maximum winds estimated at 115 km/h, damaged a hydro pole and several trees along a 3.6 km path with a maximum width of 160 metres.Noinjurieswerereported.
OutlookforJune2025
Guidance suggests a very strong likelihoodofawarmerthannormalmonthforall provincial regions. For precipitation, southern Ontariohaslittletonolikelihoodofeitherwetter ordrierthannormalconditionsandforthenorth andFarNorthandguidanceismixed.
BUY CANADIAN
VinceCrichtonactiveinChapleaulifebutdevotedtopreservation ofthisbeautifulruggedlandandtheanimalsthatroamedit.
Michael J. Morris
Moments
Moments
by MichaelJ. Morris
by MichaelJ. Morris
After graduating from Grade 13 at Chapleau High School, it appeared that Vince Crichtonmayhavefollowedacareerasabanker or a plumber or a theatre operator, but such was nottobeasheseemstohavealreadychosenhis lifestyleandcountrywherehewouldlive --"The woodswheretheweirdshadowsslant."
AlthoughVincewouldspendmostofhis life in the Chapleau area, the line from Robert Service's famous poem 'The Spell of theYukon' perhaps sums up his love of the forests and wildlife. In an article paying tribute to Vince in 1977 in the Chapleau Sentinel, it is noted that Vince"devotedhislifetothepreservationofthis beautiful rugged land and the animals that roamedit.
"Through his work, he was able to oversee what he loved the most -- the austere, vigorous northern country, the sphere of his
Vince was born in Sunderland, England, andasaboyofseven,arrivedinChapleauin1913 with his mother Helen, brother George, and sisters Vera and Anne, where his father Walter Vincent Harvey had established a plumbing business in 1911. Rita, Edith, Joe and Charlie, also his brothers and sisters were born in Chapleau. His father also took over the motion picturetheatre.
By 1917, land had been purchased in Mulligan'sBayandashissonDr.VinceCrichton writes in Chapleau Trails, a camp was built, which is still in the Crichton family. Dr. Vince notedthatthecampwasbuiltbyhisgrandfather, hisfatherandbrotherGeorge,GeorgeHunt(my grandfather)andErnieQuelch.
After completing high school Vince worked with his father in the plumbing and theatrebusinessesandwasalsoemployedbythe RoyalBank,butby1933hewasappointedgame warden with the department of games and fisheries, later the department of lands and forests,thenministryofnaturalresources.
Dr.Vince relates an interesting anecdote toldtohimbyhisUncleGeorge.WhileVincewas helpinghismotherraisethefamilyafterthedeath of his father in 1932, he "poached, trapped and huntedfoodforthefamilyastherewasnomoney. Eventually he had to stop when the government madehimthegamewarden."
In1935,VincemarriedDoraMorris,(no relation) the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Morris who also lived in Chapleau. Vince and Dora bought a house on Queen Street, next to Dora'sparents.
Many of us will recall reading 'Young Bush Pilot' by Jack Hambleton where Vince is mentioned. Hambleton writes about Vince catching poachers including the legendary Grey Owltofixingfirepumpsbasedonhisexperience as plumber to chief ranger Ernie Morin wondering where he was and then seeing him emergingfromthefoginfrontofthepoint--"at theoutboardmotoratthesternofthelargercanoe wastheunmistakableform ofthebigoverseer." IfyoucangetacopyofYoungBushPilot,itsisa greatread.
In1948Vincewasappointedinspectorof the Chapleau District which included the ChapleauGamePreserve.In1955hewaschosen bytheOntariogovernmenttoworkforayearat Winisk on the Hudson Bay coast on polar bear, bluegeese,caribouandseals.
Despite his work and travels, Vince was alsoactivelyinvolvedinthelifeofChapleau.He enjoyedcurlingandbaseball,andwascatcheron teams for many years. Later he umpired ball
games,sharingdutieswithJ.M.'Jack'Shoup.He alsolikedplayinghishornandwasamemberof theChapleauTownBand,playingtheEFlatBass Horn until 1976. He would also take out his mouth organ to liven up many a gathering with livelymusic.
Vincealsoservedaschairofthemuseum board,andonthelibraryandhospitalboardsand was a resource person to the Cubs and Scouts. WithhisfriendAlcideSmallhedonatedatrophy to Chapleau schools for a competition on conservationissues.Vincewasalsoamemberof theMasonicLodge.
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DoraandVinceCrichton. (Photo courtesy of Dr. VinceCrichton)
Vince Crichton, noted Chapleau historian and citizen in Lands and Forests uniform. (PhotocourtesyofDrVinceCrichton.)
Vince and Dora Crichton with their grandchildren Scott and Susan Crichton. (PhotocourtesyofDr.VinceCrichton.)
Alifelonglegacyofstorytelling:Creston'sMichaelMorrisshareswisdom
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Stories were hammered out on manual Underwood or Remington typewriters — no computersinsight.
"The times have changed. Now I’m on myphoneonFacebook,"helaughed.
His career highlights include interviewingformerPrimeMinisterJohnDiefenbakerand reporting on major events like the groundbreakingresearchbyscientiststostudynuclearwinter theoryinChapleau—astorythatlandedonthe frontpagesofAmericandailiesin1985. While living so close to the U.S. border, Morris became an avid traveller, eventually visiting 44 American states. He stood among the crowd during Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I HaveaDream”speechandwentontocovertwo World Series — including the 1968 championship in Detroit while reporting for the Chatham DailyNews.
“It was something to sit in the stadium,” he said. “You’d type some stuff up and yell, ‘Copy!’And the copy boys would come around and grab your piece of paper and take it to a Linotype machine and send it to the American newspapers.Thatwasagreatprivilege.”
Morris’s colourful career extended beyond journalism. In 1972, he was elected to Chapleau’stowncouncil,andsoonafterbecame
mayor—apositionheheldfor10years.
“IranandIledthepolls.Iwasonly30.All theothercouncillorswerefriendsofmyparents,” hesaid.
Duringhistimeofcivilservice,hehelped usher in the construction of a senior’s care facility,arecreationcentre,andaciviccentre.
Healsospent34yearsasaneducator,first brought onboard by his mother, the Chapleau vice principal at the time, “for just one year” — thatturnedintonearlytwodecades.
Later, he went back to school and received his masters from the University of Toronto. Then in 1989, he moved to Cranbrook forworkattheCollegeoftheRockies(COTR). Hewasoriginallyhiredforatheatreprogrambut shifted focus to teach communications, but also economics,history,andlawovertheyears.
Even now, many of his former students remainconnectedtohimthroughhisnearly5,000 Facebookfriends.
Throughout his teaching years, Morris never stopped writing. He authored two books, including Chapleau Boys Go to War, which honoursthetown’slocalveteransandliveslostto war. The book sold over 3,000 copies.
“Every-
bodyintownboughtacopy,whichreallypleased mebecausemyfamilyonbothsideswerepioneer families,”hesaid.
He stayed on staff at COTR until retirement, when his hearing started to deteriorate.A lifelongloverofmusic,hereliedonwisdomfrom Kenny Rogers’lyrics for knowing when it was timetoquit.
“Knowwhentohold‘em,knowwhento fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run,” he said. “I think I made the right decision.”
He has been a resident of Swan Valley Lodge in Creston since 2022 and has continued writing not just for his loyal readers, but for his health.
“(Mydoctor)didn'ttellmewhattowrite about.Shejustsaid,‘Damnwellwrite.’Shesaid, evenifyouonlyhavetothinkforanhouraweek, thatwillhelptheoldbrain,”saidMorris.“There are people with dementia and Alzheimer's who can'tevenremembertheirownnames.So,Ikeep itgoingaslongasIcan.”
Manyofhiscolumn'scanbereadonline atmichaeljmorrisreports.blogspot.com.
OntarioSecuringAffordableEnergyforFutureGenerations New legislation will drive investment, enable more ‘Buy Canadian’and create jobs
The Ontario government is taking decisive action to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy by introducing the Protect Ontario by SecuringAffordable Energy forGenerationsAct,2025.Ifpassed,this legislationwillsupportmajorgrowthin the province’s energy system to meet rising demand, while keeping energy affordable,secure,reliableandcleanfor generationstocome.
“As global competition intensifies, energy demand surges, and affordability becomes more important than ever, Ontario isn’t standing still –we’resteppingup,”saidStephenLecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “While wefaceaneconomicwarwithPresident Trump, our government is enabling utilitiesto‘BuyCanadian’,inadditionto making economic growth and job creationacentreofourenergyplan.”
Electricity demand is expected torise75percentoverthenext25yearsthe equivalent of adding four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the grid. In addition to investing record amounts to expand new energy capacity for the
long-term, the government is meeting this demand by creating new tools to allowOntariotoplansmarter,actfaster and deliver the right energy infrastructuretokeeppacewitheconomicgrowth, anincreasingpopulationandelectrification.
One of the most significant drivers of long-term electricity demand growtharedatacentres.Thesefacilities support artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital services, which the government is embracing as a strategic opportunity to drive investment, innovation, and job creation, particularly in northern and rural communities where new investments could anchor high tech ecosystems. With dozens of new data centre projects looking to connect to the grid – representing up to 6,500 megawatts of demand,theequivalentofnearly30per cent of peak demand for the province –Ontario is taking steps to manage connectionsinawaythatsupportslongtermeconomicandenergysystemgoals. Current legislation requires Cont’donP.8
OntarioCuttingRedTapetoProtectWorkers,FamiliesandJobs
Latest red tape reduction package will save people and businesses $5.8 million and more than 256,000 hours every year
Today, the Ontario government introduced the Protect Ontario by Cutting Red TapeAct,2025,thatifpassed,wouldsupportthe province’s goal of cutting red tape to make Ontario the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business. The legislation is a key part of the Spring 2025 Red Tape Reduction Package that contains over 50 newcommon-sensechangestoimproveservices, keepcostsdownandprotectOntario’seconomy.
“InthefaceoftheongoingthreatofU.S. tariffs,ourgovernmentistakingactiontoprotect Ontariosowecankeepworkersonthejob,attract new investment and make life easier and more affordable for Ontario families,” said Andrea Khanjin,MinisterofRedTapeReduction.“We’re protecting Ontario by cutting needless red tape, keeping costs down, improving service delivery, and creating the right conditions for people and businessestosucceed.”
Keyactionsinclude:
• Protectingincomeforpeoplewhoneedit mostbyexemptingtheCanadaDisabilityBenefit (CDB) as income so that social assistance recipients would receive the benefit without seeing a reduction in their provincial social
assistancepaymentsorentitlements.Thechanges would help recipients of the Ontario Disability SupportProgram(ODSP),OntarioWorksandthe Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)obtainmaximumentitlements.
• Streamlining how funding is delivered andreportedforNorthernOntarioSmallBusiness EnterpriseCentres,sotheycanspendlesstimeon administration and more time in helping local businessesgrow.
• Making communities safer by proposing changes to Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry),2000,thatwillallowinformationinthe Ontario Sex Offender and Trafficker Registry to be shared with certain organizations and law enforcement agencies across Canada and in the United States. This will help with cross-border investigationsandimprovethemonitoringofsex offenders.
• Strengthening the Consumer Protection Act,2002,byreplacingexistingrulesforrewards points agreements with new requirements. This includes giving consumers the right to request thatasuppliercreditbackanyrewardspointsthat wereexpired,cancelledorsuspendedcontraryto theactoritsregulations.
Take advantage of our BOOST in online traffic!
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, people have increasingly turned to their local newspapers for reliable information. In just a few weeks, the number of readers of our digital version of the newspaper has increased by 55%. WE ARE REACHING MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER BEFORE!
If you want to benefit from this surge in web traffic, NOW’S THE TIME TO ADVERTISE.
Email us with your needs at chaexpress@sympatico.ca or call us at 705-864-4376 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
areaswherealcoholcanbeconsumedinOntario Parks,beginningin2026.Thisamendmentwould improve visitor experiences in parks by expanding opportunities for socially responsible consumptionofalcohol.
“Together, these changes represent meaningful action to protect our economy,” said MinisterKhanjin.“Ourlatestredtapepackageis expected to save $5.8 million, and over 256,000 hourseverysingleyear.Intimeslikethese,every dollar matters, and every minute counts. Cutting redtapeisnotjustaboutremovingoutdatedrules – it's about unlocking new opportunities and protectingwhatmattersmost.”
Since 2018, Ontario has taken over 650 actions, saving people and businesses $1.08 billionand1.5millionhours.
• Supporting tourism by proposing changes to the Liquor Licence Control Act to expand
ChapleauMoments
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A history buff, Vince wrote 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario' a valuable contributiontothelifeandtimesinhisbelovednorthcountry.
Among the honours conferred on him was being named as a member of the Hudson'sBaySociety.Therewere only500membersworldwide.He was accepted into the society for his work in locating Brunswick HouseanoldHudson'sBayPost.
When Vince retired in 1969 as fish and wildlife supervisor,amarkoftheesteemin which he was held was the presentation to him of a boat and motorbythepeopleofChapleau.
Dr. Vince Crichton will have his annual lecture this year on ungulates specifically “The WorldoftheMooseandTheMan Who Would Be Moose" at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in ChapleauonJuly31atsevenp.m. (Reprint)
Attention:AreyouaSmallBusinessOwner? Doyourequire financing? Thinkingofstartingabusiness?
ThestaffoftheSuperiorEastCommunityFuturesDevelopment CorporationwillbeinChapleauonWednesdayJune11th,2025
TheCFDCofferssmallbusinessloansandcounsellingtocurrent small business owners or individuals looking at starting a business. Services are available in both official languages. To makeanappointmenttodiscussfinancingoptions,pleasecall (705) 856-1105 or 1-800-387-5776, ext. 221 or email davidson@superioreastcfdc.ca.
Attention: Êtes-vous propriétaire d'une petite entreprise?
Êtes-vous en besoin d'aide financière? Vous-voulez vous partirenaffaires?
Le personnel de la Société d'aide au développement des collectivités Supérieur Est sera à Chapleau mercredi le 11 juin 2025.
LaSADCoffredesprêtsfinanciersetdesservices-conseilsaux propriétairesactuel(le)sdepetitesentreprisesetauxindividu(e)s intéressé(e)sàsepartirenaffaire. Nosservicessontdisponibles danslesdeuxlanguesofficielles. Pourprendrerendez-vouset discuterdevosbesoinsd'aidefinancièreoupourobtenirdes services-conseils,communiquezavecnousau(705)856-1105 or 1-800-387-5776, poste 221 ou par courriel à davidson@ superioreastcfdc.ca.
Lastweekssolutions
MOMENTS IN TIME
On June 19, 2014, two weeks after he abdicated the Spanish throne amidst low approval ratings, King Juan Carlos I removed his red sash, symbolicofhisstatusastheleaderoftheSpanish military,anddrapeditaroundthewaistofhisson, 46-year-old Crown Prince Felipe, completing his officialtransferofpower.
Protectyourselffromheatandpoorairqualitythissummer
As hot, humid weather arrives, Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reminding everyone to take steps to stay safe from both extremeheatandpoorairquality.Earlysummer poses a higher risk because our bodies have not yet adapted to the conditions. When high heat, humidity,andpoorairqualityarecombined,the health risks are even greater. Air quality in Sudburyanddistrictsisgenerallygood;however, wildfire smoke is becoming an increasing concern.
Tipstopreventheat-relatedillness
! Drink lots of water. Avoid drinks made withalcoholorcaffeine.
! Avoid going out in the sun or heat when possible.
! Planoutdooractivitiesforcoolerpartsof theday.
! Wear loose-fitting, light clothing and seekshade.
! Cooldownwithabathorshower,orwith cool,wettowelsandafan.
! Takeiteasyandrestasmuchaspossible.
! Placeadishoficecubesinfrontofyour electricfanforacoolingeffect.
Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness include breathing rapidly, feeling weak or fainting, being more tired than usual, cramping (usually in the legs or abdomen), headache, nausea,anddevelopingconfusion.
Ifyouorsomeoneinyourcarehasthese symptoms,immediatelytakestepstocooldown. If needed, contact a health care professional for help.Inemergencies,call911.
Tips to protect your health when air quality is poor
! Reduceyourexposure.Limitoutdoorand strenuous physical activities, stay indoors and keep the windows and doors closed, and use a portableairpurifier(GovernmentofCanada).
! Ifyoumustspendtimeoutdoors,awellfitted respirator type mask, such as a NIOSHcertified N95 or equivalent respirator, which doesnotallowairtopassthroughsmallopenings betweenthemaskandface,mayhelpreduceyour
exposuretothefineparticlesintheair.
! Keepairwaysmoistbydrinkingplentyof water.
! Visitplaceswithcleaner,filteredair,such aslibrariesorshoppingmalls.
! Use the best quality air filter that your ventilation system can handle based on manufacturer’s recommendations. A MERV 13 rated filter is recommended to remove fine particulatematter.
Mildsymptomsfrompoorairqualitycan usuallybetreatedathomeandmayincludeamild cough, headache, and eye, nose, or throat irritation. If you have more severe symptoms, talktoahealthcareprovider.Youcanalsocallor chat online with a registered nurse day or night forfree,secure,andconfidentialhealthadviceby contactingHealth811isithealth811.ontario.caor call 811 (TTY 1.866.797.0007). In an emergency,call911.Watchoutforseverecough, wheezing, difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, dizziness,chestpain,andirregularheartbeat.
Beawareoftheriskofoutdoorairquality every day by signing up to receive air quality alerts on the WeatherCAN app (Government of Canada) and checking the Air Quality Health Index(OntarioGovernment).
As part of the Hot Weather Response Plan, prepared by the City of Greater Sudbury and Public Health Sudbury & Districts, information is provided to keep the public safe fromhot,humidweather.PublicHealthSudbury &Districtsoffersinformationonbeatingtheheat in apartment buildings, keeping your pets safe, doing outdoor activities in heat and smog, and keepingyourchildrensafeduringhotweather.
SHOP LOCALLY
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tgendron@northernlightsford.ca
GrassyNarrowsmotherstravelled2,000km'stospeak outagainstBill5andwereremovedfromQueen'sPark
Today, Grassy Narrows grassroots mothers Chrissy Isaacs and Crystal Swain were removed from Queen’s Park after speaking out against Bill 5, a proposed law that threatens the environmental and treaty rights of their community.
“This law is an attack on my people. It would let mining companiesdestroywhatlittlewe have left — our land, our water, our way of life,” said Chrissy Isaacs. “Our people are still suffering from the poison of mercury.Weneedprotection,not moreharm.”
“This law isn’t worth the paper it is written on,” added Chrissy Isaacs. “We will never stop defending our land and our water. We will uphold the first law of the land and protect the sourcesoflifesothatourkidscan haveagoodlife.”
AstheBillwasdiscussed onthelegislaturefloor,ChrissyIsaacsstoodupin the public galleryand said "You're not welcome on my territory. This bill will be met with resistence". She was then removed from the gallerybysecurity.
Labour leaders followed suite and were also removed.
Bill5wouldseverelyweakenthelimited protections currently in place for the lands and waters that Grassy Narrows relies on, enabling the Ontario government to exempt harmful industrial projects from environmental regulations. If passed, the legislation would further entrench the power of extractive industries while accelerating the destruction of Anishinaabe lands, contaminating waterways andfish,andendangeringsacredanimalsandthe peoplewhorelyonthem.
The community of Grassy Narrows continues to endure the long-term effects of industrial pollution, including mercury contamination, pulp mill and mining effluent, and plans for nuclear waste storage in their headwaters. Bill 5 represents yet another violation of their right to live safely and to stewardtheirterritorybytheirAnishinaabelaws andvalues.
OntarioSecuringAffordableEnergyforFutureGenerations
New legislation will drive investment, enable more ‘Buy Canadian’and create jobs
Cont’dfromP.4
utilities to connect all data centres indiscriminately, regardless of economic impact or energy intensity. As electricity demand grows into the 2040s,thegovernmentiscreatinganauthorityto prioritize projects that maximize benefit to the Ontario economy and workforce. This includes projects that high-quality-jobs, strengthens Ontario’sdigitaleconomyandsupportdomestic data housing – ensuring Canadian data stays in Canada, protected from misuse and weaker foreignprivacyregimes.
The Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable EnergyforGenerationsAct,2025,ifpassed,will:
• Codify and add “economic growth” as a formal objective of Ontario’s energy agenciesthe Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) –ensuring for the first time that agencies are required to actively support job creating investmentintoOntario.
• SupportOntarioutilitiestobuy-Canadian and build a more secure energy system by enabling them to fund investments necessary to implement new restrictions on hostile foreign participantsinOntario’senergysector–protectingtheprovincefromrisksofmalware,manipulation,tamperingandsurveillance.
• Support Ontario’s growing hydrogen
economy by expanding the IESO’s mandate to include hydrogen development – enabling them to fund innovative new projects that will help build a more diverse energy system, including throughtheHydrogenInnovationFund.
• ExpandtheeligibilityoftheFutureClean Electricity Fund (FCEF) to include nuclear generation and transmission infrastructure, which will be necessary to meet the province’s growingelectricitydemand.
“Industries and job creators across Ontario are countingonaffordable,stable,reliablepowerto planforbusinessgrowth,andtocreatenewjobs,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy Intensive Industries. “This legislation demonstrates the Government of Ontario’s commitment to energy-intensive industries and all power consumers, assuring them of an integrated, all-of-the-above energy approach that prioritizes economic growth and affordability –fordecadestocome.”
The Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act will support the implementation of Ontario’s first Integrated Energy Plan, set to be released later thismonth.Together,theyprovideacoordinated, long-term approach to ensure Ontario has the energyitneedstopowerhomes,businesses,and industry without relying on other jurisdictions.
The plan will put affordability first, while supporting economic growth, creating jobs, and by makingoureconomythemostcompetitiveinthe G7,withabundant,reliable,clean,andaffordable energysupply.
Ontario’sAffordableEnergyFuture:The PressingCaseforMorePowercommittedtothe introductionofOntario’sFirstIntegratedEnergy Plan, which will end the siloed approach to planning and bring together every part of Ontario’s energy system – including electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, and other fuels – into a coordinatedplantopowergrowth.
According to the IESO rising electricity demand is being driven by rapid increase in population, new manufacturing facilities, advancedtechnologieslikeartificialintelligence (AI) data centres, the electrification of industry, and the charging energy required for electric vehicles.
Demand from the data centre industry, which supports data-intensive applications includingAIandcloudcomputing,isexpectedto represent13ercentofnewelectricitydemandin Ontarioby2035.
Industrial electricity demand is set to increasebymorethan35percentinjustthenext fiveyears.