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ARTICLE · 06 OCTOBER 2026

Ontario Proposes Amendments To Streamline Electricity Transmission Development

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
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Ontario's Ministry of Energy and Mines has proposed exempting electricity transmission projects procured by the Independent Electricity System Operator from the traditional leave to construct approval requirement. This regulatory change could significantly streamline the development timeline for bulk system transmission infrastructure, including the pending Toronto Third Line procurement, while maintaining environmental assessment and Indigenous consultation requirements.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Reena Goyal
Reena Goyal
Sophia Larsen-Rosner
Sophia Larsen-Rosner
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On October 1, 2026, Ontario’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (Ministry) issued a proposal for “Targeted Amendments to the Leave to Construct Framework for Electricity Transmission Projects” (Proposal).

Pursuant to section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (OEBA), proponents seeking to construct, expand or reinforce electricity transmission lines greater than two kilometres in length are required to obtain prior approval or “leave to construct” (LTC) from the Ontario Energy Board. The Proposal would exempt transmission projects procured by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) from this LTC requirement (Newly Exempt Projects), potentially saving developers weeks to months of what is typically a formal adjudicative approval process.

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