OPA-IESO Merger

The Government's plan to merge the Ontario Power Authority (the "OPA") and the Independent Electricity System Operator (the "IESO") moved forward with the introduction of the budget bill which includes legislation that would merge the two agencies. If passed, the Bill would:

• Merge the two agencies under the name IESO – suggesting more of a takeover than a merger;
• Transfer all of the OPA's statutory objectives and powers for planning and procurement to the IESO;
• Grant the Government a power to make directions to the IESO in the same way as it had to the OPA, such as procurements, etc. In fact, the IESO's objects will now include a requirement to follow government directions; and