Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 21 SEPTEMBER 2010

Japan Challenges Ontario's Renewable Energy "FIT" Program

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Explore more from Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

This week, Japan launched a World Trade Organization ("WTO") dispute against the domestic-content requirements in Ontario's landmark Feed-in Tariff ("FIT") program, which is North America's first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Sarah Powell
Sarah Powell
James Reid
James Reid
Author LinkedIn connections

This week, Japan launched a World Trade Organization ("WTO") dispute against the domestic-content requirements in Ontario's landmark Feed-in Tariff ("FIT") program, which is North America's first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production.

FIT Program

Ontario's ambitious FIT program is intended to help Ontario eliminate coal-fired power by 2014 - one of the single largest climate change initiatives in Canada. The FIT program provides standard program rules, contracts and pricing over a 20-year contract period (40 years for hydroelectric). The prices vary according to energy source and the size of the project, ranging from 10.3 ¢/kWh for landfill gas projects up to 80.2 ¢/kWh for small roof-top solar projects. The FIT payments are designed to cover typical capital and operating costs and to provide a reasonable return on equity to the developer - roughly an 11 percent return over the term. The FIT program also has

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Powering Up: Grid Access, Strategic Screening And Canada’s Emerging Data Centre Regimes

Canada is rapidly becoming a key destination for data centre investment, fueled by artificial intelligence and cloud computing growth. However, this expansion places unprecedented demands on electricity grids, water resources, and local communities. As federal and provincial governments introduce new frameworks to manage these resource challenges, developers and investors must navigate an increasingly complex landscape where power strategy...
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
McMillan LLP
McMillan LLP
Article

Data Centre West 2026: Alberta's Digital Infrastructure Moment Has Arrived

Alberta's data centre sector has evolved from speculative interest into billions in committed investment, supported by a new regulatory framework and hyperscale commitments from Meta and AWS. However, grid capacity constraints, power procurement challenges, unresolved federal copyright issues affecting AI training workloads, and community concerns about environmental impacts present significant obstacles that require continued collaboration between industry, government, and regulators.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Article

Government Of Canada Makes Significant Changes To Energy Project Approvals Process

On September 3, the Government of Canada published amendments removing seven types of energy projects from the Physical Activities Regulations (the Project List) under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). As a result, these types of projects will no longer be subject to the IAA but will continue to be regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator Act (CER Act) or applicable provincial environmental assessment regimes.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Torys
Torys
Article

Digging Deeper: Canadian Mining Sector Tax Update

Canada’s mining sector is at an important inflection point. Against a backdrop of growing global demand for critical minerals and increased competition for investment capital, the Canadian federal government has recently introduced a series of tax measures designed to encourage investment and strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s mining industry. For investors, these measures may meaningfully influence the after-tax economics of projects and financing structures across the mining value chain.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article

New Churchill Falls Agreement: Key Terms For Newfoundland And Labrador, Québec And Canadian Power Markets

Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly has approved a landmark definitive cooperation and implementation agreement that would replace the 1969 Churchill Falls Power Contract, pair the redevelopment of Churchill Falls with the Gull Island project, and establish new transmission pathways through Québec. The agreement faces political uncertainty in Québec ahead of the October 2026 provincial election...
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Article

Ontario’s Draft Data Centre Playbook: Implications For Investors, Operators, And Developers

Digital infrastructure operators in Ontario are capitalizing on Canada’s growing reputation as a premier data centre jurisdiction. Demand for grid access in the province has increased substantially, with an interconnection queue potentially reaching 10,000 MW. In response, on August 13, 2026, the province released its draft Data Centre Playbook (the “Playbook”).
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

Key Takeaways From All In 2026: AI Sovereignty, Infrastructure And Canada’s Growing Role

Canada and Germany are making unprecedented investments in AI infrastructure and safety research, while major players like Cohere, OpenAI, and Bell position themselves in a rapidly evolving landscape of technology sovereignty. How will these strategic moves reshape the global AI race and what do they mean for businesses navigating data residency, vendor relationships, and emerging regulatory frameworks?
CanadaStrategy
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Article

From Compliance To The Courtroom: Navigating Canada’s Rapidly Escalating Anti-Money Laundering Enforcement Landscape

Canada's anti-money laundering enforcement regime is undergoing a seismic shift, with FINTRAC issuing record penalties and new legislation increasing penalty caps by up to 40 times. Understanding how to navigate the enforcement pipeline—from examination through Federal Court litigation—is now critical for reporting entities facing unprecedented regulatory scrutiny.
CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Article

Investment Canada Act - Guide For Foreign Investors In Canada: 2026

Davies' Investment Canada Act guide provides foreign investors with essential information about national security reviews and net benefit assessments when establishing or acquiring Canadian businesses. The comprehensive resource outlines review processes, timing considerations, and regulatory requirements that non-Canadian entities must navigate when investing in Canada.
CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Article

Building Canada Strong: Major Projects Acceleration

Canada's federal government has introduced sweeping regulatory reforms aimed at accelerating major project approvals through compressed timelines and streamlined coordination. The Building Canada's Success Act establishes a one-year federal review period for designated projects while creating new mechanisms for regional preapprovals and consolidated decision-making. These changes fundamentally reshape how infrastructure and resource projects navigate federal environmental assessments and permitting processe
CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP