Skip to main content
Back to Bills
OntarioPassed43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill 214 explained in plain English

Affordable Energy Act, 2024

Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

At a glance

Jurisdiction
Ontario Legislature
Legislature / Parliament
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Session
43rd Parliament, 1st Session
Bill number
Bill 214
Full title
Affordable Energy Act, 2024
Current status
Passed
Latest event
Royal Assent received
Last updated
Dec 4, 2024

Official Legislative Assembly of Ontario snapshot for 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. Representative vote breakdowns appear when the Assembly publishes an Ayes and Nays page for the bill.

Chamber
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Current Stage
Royal Assent received
Latest Activity
Dec 4, 2024
Plain-language explanation
In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing
Short Version

The Affordable Energy Act, 2024, updates Ontario's energy laws to support electrification, modernize energy planning, and establish regulations for electric vehicle charging and energy infrastructure costs.

What It Means

The Affordable Energy Act, 2024, amends several Ontario laws related to energy. It aims to promote electrification and energy efficiency, changes how long-term energy plans are developed, and introduces new rules for electric vehicle charging. The Act also modifies regulations concerning the Distribution System Code and the Transmission System Code, particularly regarding cost allocation and recovery for system upgrades. Additionally, it repeals a specific subsection of the Fixing the Hydro Mess Act, 2019.

What This Bill Does
  • Amends the Electricity Act, 1998, to include promoting electrification and energy efficiency as purposes of the Act and as an object of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
  • Replaces long-term energy plans with integrated energy plans and alters the process for their development and submission.
  • Introduces new powers for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations specifying amendments to the Distribution System Code and the Transmission System Code concerning cost allocation and recovery for system construction, expansion, or reinforcement.
  • Grants the Lieutenant Governor in Council the power to make regulations exempting certain persons or things from provisions of the Distribution System Code and the Transmission System Code related to cost allocation or recovery, and to establish alternative cost allocation rules.
  • Amends the Electricity Act, 1998, the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010, and the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, to address electric vehicle charging, including defining key terms and establishing how these Acts apply (or do not apply, except as specified by regulation) to the distribution and retail of electricity for electric vehicle charging.
  • Repeals subsection 20 (3) of Schedule 2 to the Fixing the Hydro Mess Act, 2019.
Who Is Affected
  • The Minister of Energy and Electrification
  • The Lieutenant Governor in Council
  • The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
  • The Ontario Energy Board
  • Consumers of electricity
  • Distributors and transmitters of energy
  • Operators of electric vehicle charging stations
  • Manufacturers and owners of electric vehicles
  • Indigenous communities
Rights, Duties, Or Obligations
  • The Minister may issue integrated energy plans, subject to approval by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
  • The Minister may issue directives to the IESO and the Ontario Energy Board regarding the implementation of integrated energy plans.
  • The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations specifying amendments to the Distribution System Code and Transmission System Code concerning cost allocation and recovery.
  • The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations exempting persons or entities from certain provisions of the Distribution System Code and Transmission System Code related to cost allocation or recovery.
  • The IESO and the Ontario Energy Board have obligations related to implementing integrated energy plans.
  • The Act establishes provisions for electric vehicle charging, with specific applications governed by regulations.
Important Dates
  • The Act received Royal Assent on December 4, 2024.
  • Section 2 (1) states that the Act, except as otherwise provided, comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
  • Schedule 1 (Amendments Re Energy Planning) comes into force on the day the Affordable Energy Act, 2024 receives Royal Assent (Section 4).
  • Schedule 2 (Amendments Re Distribution System Code and Transmission System Code) comes into force on the day the Affordable Energy Act, 2024 receives Royal Assent (Section 4).
  • Schedule 3 (Amendments Re Electric Vehicle Charging) comes into force on the day the Affordable Energy Act, 2024 receives Royal Assent (Section 4).
Financial Or Tax Impacts
  • The Act introduces new provisions for cost allocation and cost recovery related to the construction, expansion, or reinforcement of distribution and transmission systems, and connections to those systems.
  • Regulations may be made to exempt persons or things from provisions of the Distribution System Code and Transmission System Code that pertain to cost allocation or cost recovery, and to establish alternative cost allocation or recovery methods.
Enforcement Or Penalties
  • The amendments to the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, include a provision of a regulation made under Part III.1 of the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010, as an 'enforceable provision'.
Uncertainties Or Limits
  • The specific details of integrated energy plans, including goals and objectives, will be set by the Minister, subject to Lieutenant Governor in Council approval.
  • The application of the Electricity Act, 1998, the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010, and the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, to the distribution or retail of electricity for electric vehicle charging is subject to regulations made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
  • The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations that specify amendments to the Distribution System Code and Transmission System Code, and these regulations are deemed to have been issued under section 70.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.
  • The Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Energy Board cannot amend or revoke amendments specified by regulations under section 70.4 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, for as long as those regulations are in force.
  • The Ontario Energy Board cannot specify modifications to or exemptions from amendments specified by regulation under section 70.4 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.
Laws Or Regulations Affected
Electricity Act, 1998
amends

Adds new clauses to Section 1 to include promoting electrification and energy efficiency as purposes. Adds new clauses to Subsection 6 (1) to make promoting electrification and energy efficiency an object of the IESO. Replaces Sections 25.29 to 25.31 with new provisions for integrated energy plans and implementation directives. Adds a new Part III.1 regarding electric vehicle charging, defining terms and specifying the Act's application, except as provided by regulation.

Source: Schedule 1, Section 1; Schedule 1, Section 2; Schedule 1, Sections 3 & 4; Schedule 3, Section 1

Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998
amends

Amends the definition of 'enforceable provision' to include regulations made under Part III.1 of the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010. Adds a new Part V.2 to define terms related to electric vehicle charging and to specify the Act's application to the distribution or retail of electricity for electric vehicle charging, except as provided by regulation. Removes a reference to specific implementation plans concerning the Board's duties.

Source: Schedule 2, Section 1; Schedule 3, Section 3

Distribution System Code
amends

Allows the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations specifying amendments to the Code concerning cost allocation and recovery for system construction, expansion, or reinforcement. These amendments are deemed to have been issued under section 70.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998. Also allows for regulations to exempt persons or things from certain provisions related to cost allocation or recovery, and to establish alternative rules. The Board cannot modify or revoke amendments specified by regulation.

Source: Schedule 2, Sections 1 & 2

Transmission System Code
amends

Allows the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations specifying amendments to the Code concerning cost allocation and recovery for system construction, expansion, or reinforcement. These amendments are deemed to have been issued under section 70.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998. Also allows for regulations to exempt persons or things from certain provisions related to cost allocation or recovery, and to establish alternative rules. The Board cannot modify or revoke amendments specified by regulation.

Source: Schedule 2, Sections 1 & 2

Fixing the Hydro Mess Act, 2019
repeals

Repeals subsection 20 (3) of Schedule 2 of the Act.

Source: Schedule 2, Section 3

Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010
amends

Adds a new Part III.1 regarding electric vehicle charging, defining terms and specifying the Act's application, except as provided by regulation. Amends Section 35 to allow regulations concerning the application of the Act to electric vehicle charging.

Source: Schedule 3, Section 2

Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.

Official text

Process Snapshot

Step 1
First reading
Oct 23, 2024
Step 2
Second reading
Nov 25, 2024
Step 3
Committee review
Nov 25, 2024
Step 4
Third reading
Dec 3, 2024
Step 5
Royal assent
Dec 4, 2024

Vote Summary

Yes
62
No
23
Abstain
0
Absent / Other
0
Final recorded vote
Dec 3, 2024
85 representative positions are recorded in this official snapshot for this vote.
Sponsor
Stephen Lecce
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | King—Vaughan
Jurisdiction
Ontario Legislature

Representative Voting Breakdown

Vote badges include text labels so the table stays readable for everyone, even without color cues alone.

RepresentativeRoleRidingPartyVoteNotes
MPPDon Valley EastOntario Liberal PartyYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton WestProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPScarborough—GuildwoodOntario Liberal PartyYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPEssexProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPScarborough—AgincourtProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMarkham—UnionvilleProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPCambridgeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPRichmond HillProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPScarborough CentreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOakville North—BurlingtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton EastProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPYork—SimcoeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton CentreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBarrie—Springwater—Oro-MedonteProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton NorthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSimcoe NorthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPThunder Bay—AtikokanProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHuron—BruceProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPVaughan—WoodbridgeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPAurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond HillProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPYork CentreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKitchener—ConestogaProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMississauga CentreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHamilton East—Stoney CreekProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPStormont—Dundas—South GlengarryProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMarkham—StouffvilleProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPPickering—UxbridgeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton SouthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPScarborough NorthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPElgin—Middlesex—LondonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNiagara WestProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPWillowdaleProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKing—VaughanProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDufferin—CaledonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDurhamProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPChatham-Kent—LeamingtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNipissingProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLanark—Frontenac—KingstonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPRenfrew—Nipissing—PembrokeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKanata—CarletonOntario Liberal PartyYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPThornhillProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMarkham—ThornhillProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPWhitbyProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOttawa—VanierOntario Liberal PartyYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBeaches—East YorkOntario Liberal PartyYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPPerth—WellingtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBurlingtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHastings—Lennox and AddingtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBruce—Grey—Owen SoundProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSarnia—LambtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPEglinton—LawrenceProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSault Ste. MarieProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMississauga—LakeshoreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMississauga—Erin MillsProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPGlengarry—Prescott—RussellProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOrléansOntario Liberal PartyYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLambton—Kent—MiddlesexProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKingston and the IslandsOntario Liberal PartyYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBay of QuinteProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDon Valley NorthIndependentYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrantford—BrantProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKitchener CentreGreen Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPParkdale—High ParkNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOttawa West—NepeanNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSpadina—Fort YorkNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNickel BeltNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMushkegowuk—James BayNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNiagara CentreNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSt. CatharinesNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOshawaNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPUniversity—RosedaleNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPToronto—St. Paul'sNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOttawa CentreNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPToronto CentreNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPThunder Bay—Superior NorthNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDavenportNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPGuelphGreen Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHamilton MountainNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPToronto—DanforthNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHamilton West—Ancaster—DundasNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHamilton CentreIndependentNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLondon—FanshaweNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHumber River—Black CreekNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNiagara FallsNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.

Official sources

Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.

How this data is sourced