After the recent announcement from the Government of Ontario that they are advancing pre-development work for the proposed hydro-electric pumped storage plant, to be located on the grounds of the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in the Municipality of Meaford, reaction statements have been issued by the Municipality of Meaford, the City of Owen Sound, and by local advocacy group Save Georgian Bay.
The province said that it is investing up to $285 million to advance this work, which includes the completion of a detailed cost estimate and environmental assessments to determine the feasibility of the proposed project. The province noted that it will make a final decision on the project only once “a detailed cost estimate is complete, ensuring the project is built only when it is in the best interest of Ontario ratepayers.”
On Wednesday, January 29, the Municipality of Meaford issued a media release expressing support for the government’s announcement.
“The Municipality of Meaford is pleased to announce the Ontario government’s commitment to investing up to $285 million in advancing pre-development work for the proposed Ontario Pumped Storage Project, developed in partnership by TC Energy (TCE) and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. This major step forward highlights the project’s potential to strengthen Ontario’s clean energy future and create new economic opportunities for our region,” said the Municipality of Meaford in the media release. “The announcement made on January 24 by the Province marks a key milestone in exploring the feasibility of the project, which is planned to be located at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre Meaford. The funding will support critical studies, including a detailed cost estimate and various environmental assessments. The Municipality of Meaford emphasizes that this project has been conditionally supported to ensure it aligns with the local community. A final decision from the Province of Ontario will be made once a detailed cost estimate is complete, which ensures the project is built only when it is in the best interest of Ontario ratepayers.”
Mayor Ross Kentner suggested that the province’s decision reflects confidence in the role of pumped storage as part of Ontario’s future.
“The province’s decision to move forward with this project reflects its confidence in the role of pumped storage in strengthening Ontario’s energy grid as well as its fiscal and environmental responsibility for a project of this magnitude,” said Meaford Mayor Ross Kentner. “This decision also underscores the importance of Meaford Council taking a proactive approach in preparing for all potential outcomes. I sincerely appreciate the dedication of the community members who have volunteered their time to serve on our Pumped Storage Advisory Committee, ensuring that local voices remain an integral part of the discussion.”
Local advocacy group Save Georgian Bay was not pleased with the government’s announcement.
“Late on a Friday afternoon, on the eve of rushing into an early election call, the Ford government quietly handed over a quarter of a billion of Ontario taxpayers’ dollars to an Alberta pipeline company worth $71 billion to push forward an energy project its own regulators have twice refused to okay,” said Save Georgian Bay in a media release also issued on January 29. “That $285 million handout to Calgary-based TC Energy is earmarked to underwrite the “pre-development” costs of the company’s controversial proposal for a $7 billion+ pumped storage project in Meaford, Ontario.”
Since the proposed facility first became public knowledge in 2019, Save Georgian Bay has been raising awareness locally and expressing opposition to the proposal. The group has held a number of protest rallies and has collected thousands of signatures on petitions opposing the proposed facility.
The concerns of Save Georgian Bay and other opponents are many, ranging from fears that the facility would have negative impacts on the environment, including negatively impacting fish in the bay, to concerns that homeowners in close proximity to the site could be in danger of flooding should the reservoir fail. Many have also expressed concern about the cost of the multi-billion dollar proposal, and whether pumped storage should be favoured over battery storage. Save Georgian Bay has said that their work over the past four years has highlighted roughly 30 federally protected species at risk on the project’s proposed site.
TC Energy, on the other hand, said the proposal is a green initiative that would consume inexpensive off-peak power at night to pump water from Georgian Bay into a 374-acre storage reservoir located 150 metres above the Georgian Bay shoreline on the military base. The reservoir, which would hold 20 million cubic metres of water, would be emptied back into Georgian Bay during peak usage periods, driving hydraulic turbines to generate electricity.
The province said in its media release that the Ontario Pumped Storage Project would complement other actions that the government is taking to meet the rising demand for electricity, including working toward a new large-scale nuclear station at Bruce Power.
Save Georgian Bay director Tom Buck was outraged by the province’s announcement.
“This is outrageous,” said Buck. “It makes no sense for taxpayers to pay for an energy project the government never asked for or put out for a competitive bid.”
Buck also questioned why Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce’s announcement came days after he says the minister boasted on social media about his “constructive meeting” with TC Energy CEO Francois Poirier in Washington on the day of Trump’s inauguration.
“Is this an end run around regulators?” Buck asked. “Or is it an example of some cozy Greenbelt-style deal with corporate pals?”
Like the Municipality of Meaford, the City of Owen Sound also issued a media release last week expressing support for the province’s announcement.
“Last April, the City of Owen Sound passed a motion to demonstrate conditional support for the proposed project, subject to the completion of all assessments, consultation and approval by Saugeen Ojibway Nation. The provincial investment will support the completion of this pre-development work,” said the City of Owen Sound. “Owen Sound is committed to growing as a regional hub for clean energy innovation. This project will complement advancements in clean hydrogen applications by Hydrogen Optimized, located within the city, as well as planned expansions at Bruce Power. Owen Sound is a founding member of the Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition, supporting Canada’s medical isotope production, education, and research.”
As part of the next steps in the process, the Municipality of Meaford says it will continue to engage with residents through the Pumped Storage Advisory Committee.
“This committee serves as a key forum for sharing information, voicing concerns, and advocating for Meaford’s interests. We strongly encourage residents to join upcoming meetings and share their ideas so we can work together to understand the potential impacts and make the most of the benefits this project could bring to our community,” said the municipality. “The Municipality of Meaford remains dedicated to advocating for the best interests of our community, ensuring that all decisions are made with transparency, careful consideration, and a commitment to long-term sustainability.”
