Ministry of Energy (Ontario) explained

Agency Name:Ministry of Energy and Electrification
Type:Ministry
Formed:2002
Preceding1:Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology
Jurisdiction:Government of Ontario
Minister1 Name:Hon. Stephen Lecce
Minister1 Pfo:Minister of Energy and Electrification
Minister2 Name:Dave Smith
Minister2 Pfo:Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines with responsibility for Energy

The Ministry of Energy and Electrification’s responsibility is ensuring that Ontario's electricity system functions with reliability and productivity, and promoting innovation in the energy sector. In April 2002, it was renamed the Ministry of Energy, with the newly created Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation taking over responsibility for its science and technology portfolio.[1] It was integrated as the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure between 2007 and 2010, before it was split back into the Ministry of Energy on August 18, 2010. Since June 6, 2024, The Minister of Energy is the Honourable Stephen Lecce.

In 2021, the Ministry of Energy again became a separate ministry when the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines merged with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to form the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.[2]

Responsibilities

Several agencies and crown corporations are under the Ministry:

From 1974 to 1999 Ontario Hydro reported to the Minister, but the public utility was broken up into various agencies and crown corporations. Prior to 1974 Ontario Hydro reported to Commissioners appointed by the Premier and a few were Ministers without Portfolio.

The Commission was headed by a Chairman:

History

The Department of Energy Resources was established by legislation in 1959.[3] The Ontario Fuel Board was also attached to the department until 1960. When the board was dissolved in 1960, its administrative functions were assumed by the department, while its judicial functions were taken over by the Ontario Energy Board.

In 1964, the department acquired responsibility over the conservation authorities from the Department of Lands and Forests, and was renamed the Department of Energy and Resources Management.

In 1970, the energy responsibilities of the department, including the Ontario Energy Board, were removed and transferred to the Department of Mines and Northern Affairs. The remaining responsibilities over conservation, air management and waste manager form the new Department of the Environment in 1971.

In 1973, the Ministry of Energy was re-established,[4] assuming responsibilities over energy policy; energy conservation and planning; and energy technology development. Agencies which reported to the ministry included the Ontario Energy Board, the Ontario Energy Corporation, and Ontario Hydro.

Over the years, the ministry was merged with various other ministries:

List of ministers

NameTerm of officeTenurePolitical party
(Ministry)
Note
Minister of Energy Resources
Robert MacaulayPC
(Frost)
PC
(Robarts)
John Richard Simonett
Minister of Energy Resource and Management
John Richard Simonett
George Albert Kerr
PC
(Davis)
Minister of Energy
Darcy McKeough
Dennis Timbrell
James Taylor
Reuben Baetz
James AuldConcurrently Minister of Natural Resources
Bob WelchWhile Deputy Premier
Philip Andrewes
George AshePC
(Miller)
Mike HarrisConcurrently Minister of Natural Resources
Vince Kerrio Liberal
(Peterson)
Concurrently Minister of Natural Resources
Bob Wong
Lyn McLeodConcurrently Minister of Natural Resources
Jenny CarterNDP
(Rae)
Will Ferguson
Brian CharltonInterim minister prior to September 23, 1992
Minister of Environment and Energy
Bud Wildman
Brenda ElliottPC
(Harris)
Norm Sterling
Jim Wilson
Minister of Environment and Energy
Chris StockwellPC
(Eves)
Minister of Energy
John Baird
Dwight Duncan
(first time)
Liberal
(McGuinty)
While Government House Leader & Chair of Cabinet
Donna Cansfield
Dwight Duncan
(second time, 3 years, 148 days in total)
While Chair of Cabinet
Gerry Phillips
(first time)
George Smitherman While Deputy Premier
Gerry Phillips
(second time, 304 days in total)
While Chair of Cabinet
Brad Duguid
Minister of Energy
Brad Duguid
Chris Bentley
Bob ChiarelliLiberal
(Wynne)
Glenn Thibeault
Minister of Energy, Northern Development and MinesPC
(Ford)
Greg RickfordConcurrently Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Bill Walker served as Associate Minister of Energy from June 20, 2019 to June 18, 2021
Minister of Energy
Todd Smith
Stephen LecceIncumbent

External links

Notes and References

  1. "Eves' picks raise fears of deficits, Tories say". National Post, 16 April 2002.
  2. Web site: Ministries . 2021-06-20. www.ontario.ca.
  3. Department of Energy Resources Act, Statutes of Ontario 1959, Chap. 26
  4. The Ministry of Energy Act, Statutes of Ontario 1973, Chap. 56