Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 05 APRIL 2016

Merger Of Golden Horseshoe Utilities Closer To Completion

Aird & Berlis LLP
Explore more from Aird & Berlis LLP

The long-awaited merger of four Golden Horseshoe electricity distributors is nearing completion.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
David Stevens
David Stevens
Author LinkedIn connections

The long-awaited merger of four Golden Horseshoe electricity distributors is nearing completion.

As we have previously discussed, in April 2015, the Minister of Energy announced the merger of a group of Ontario electricity distributors: PowerStream Inc., Enersource Hydro Mississauga Inc., Horizon Utilities Inc. and Hydro One Brampton Networks Inc. On March 25, 2016, Minister Chiarelli participated in a news conference at which it was announced that the municipal councils for the cities of Barrie, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, Hamilton and St. Catharines have all voted to proceed with the merger. It was also announced that the Government of Ontario has executed a Share Purchase Agreement with PowerStream, Enersource and Horizon for the sale of Hydro One Brampton for $607 million. The merger of the three utilities with Hydro One Brampton will create the second-largest electricity distributor in Ontario. According to the news release announcing the sale of Hydro

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

View source

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

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

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

Ontario Writes The Playbook: A New Framework For Data Centre Grid Connections

On August 13, Ontario released long-awaited details on how the province will regulate the connection of data centres to its electricity grid1. Titled the Data Centre Playbook (the Playbook), the proposed framework outlines how the province plans to evaluate large-scale data centres against the government’s objectives of driving economic growth, keeping Canadians’ data in Canada, and delivering benefits to local communities2.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Torys
Torys
Article

The PULSE Report: Governance Of Ontario’s Electric Utilities And Implementation Of Required Changes

Ontario's PULSE report and Bill 140 propose sweeping governance reforms for municipally owned electricity distribution utilities and their holding companies, mandating independent boards and new capital planning requirements by 2027. These changes aim to attract institutional investment for $120 billion in infrastructure expansion, but will require utilities to restructure shareholder agreements, recruit new directors, and implement complex governance arrangements within an extremely compressed timeline.
CanadaCorporate/Commercial Law
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Ontario Proposes Significant Changes To Property Tax Exemptions And Assessment Roll Access – But No Reassessment Planned

Ontario's Fall Economic Statement introduces significant changes to property tax exemptions affecting charitable affordable housing providers and university student residences, while also making assessment roll information publicly accessible online for the first time. These proposed amendments to the Assessment Act will require property owners to reassess their exemption eligibility and tax obligations.
CanadaTax
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Canada’s 2026 AI Strategy: What Businesses Need To Know

Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy marks a significant shift in federal AI policy, moving away from standalone legislation toward a comprehensive framework that emphasizes privacy reform, data sovereignty, and business adoption. The Strategy outlines six interconnected pillars designed to position Canada as a global AI leader while addressing regulatory gaps through existing legal frameworks and new policy tools.
CanadaTechnology
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Canada’s OpenAI Findings: What Businesses Need To Know About AI And Privacy Compliance

Canadian privacy regulators have completed a joint investigation into OpenAI's ChatGPT, examining whether the company's collection, use, and disclosure of personal information complies with federal and provincial private-sector privacy legislation. The investigation involved the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada alongside regulators from Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, scrutinizing OpenAI's practices in developing and operating its AI chatbot platform.
CanadaPrivacy
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Holdback Deficiencies And Mortgage Priority: Court Of Appeal For Ontario Clarifies S. 78(2) Of The Construction Act

The Court of Appeal for Ontario has resolved a critical uncertainty in construction law regarding how holdback deficiencies should be calculated when owners fail to retain statutory holdbacks. The decision addresses whether contractors who have already been paid can claim additional priority over construction mortgages, and establishes important boundaries to prevent double recovery while balancing the interests of all parties in the construction pyramid.
CanadaReal Estate and Construction
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP