Update Announcement
The French version of this proposal was posted after the consultation.
This consultation was open from:
October 29, 2025
to December 13, 2025
Decision summary
The Ministry of Energy and Mines has taken actions to facilitate the development of a critical transmission project that will meet growth, support critical mining projects, and improve reliability in northwestern Ontario, while advancing a shared goal of reconciliation by supporting economic and partnership opportunities for Indigenous communities.
Decision details
Key Context
The Ministry of Energy and Mines proposed actions to facilitate the timely development of a new transmission line in northwestern Ontario called the Red Lake Transmission Project.
Following the consideration of comments received in response to the proposal, the Government of Ontario has decided to proceed with the proposal to issue an Order in Council (OIC) and Minister’s Directive under section 28.6.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (OEBA) and a separate but related OIC under section 96.1 of the OEBA. Taken together, the OICs and Directive will have the effect of:
- Declaring the Red Lake Transmission Project as a priority project under s. 96.1(1) of the OEBA:
- The Red Lake Transmission Project is a new double-circuit 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line that will run from Dryden Transformer Station (TS) to Ear Falls TS, and another double-circuit 230 kV transmission line that will run from Ear Falls TS to Red Lake Switching Station (SS), and associated station facilities.
- This declaration requires the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the provincial economic regulator of the energy sector, to accept that the project is needed when assessing whether the project is in the public interest as part of its Leave to Construct review process. This will streamline the OEB’s review and help to minimize delays in project development. The OEB is still required to consider the interests of electricity consumers with respect to prudent project costs and maintaining the reliability and quality of electricity service.
- Designating Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One) as the transmitter of this priority project through a requirement under the Minister’s Directive to the OEB to amend Hydro One’s transmission licence pursuant to s. 28.6.1 of the OEBA, requiring Hydro One to develop and seek approvals related to the construction of the project. This provides Hydro One with the clarity they need to advance development of the project.
Effects of consultation
This proposal was the subject of public consultation via the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) and Regulatory Registry of Ontario (RRO), alongside early rights-based consultation with potentially impacted Indigenous communities.
The ministry received a total of seven (7) comments regarding the ERO posting. During and following the ERO posting period, feedback was also received through meetings as part of the ministry’s parallel early rights-based consultation with potentially impacted Indigenous communities.
The ministry received generally supportive feedback from a range of stakeholders and Indigenous communities. Submissions received through the ERO highlighted strong support for prioritizing the project, citing the project’s potential to improve electricity reliability in the Red Lake and Ear Falls region, enable economic development including supporting mining expansion in the region and new generation, and generate lasting economic and social benefits for both Indigenous communities and the province. Some submissions also expressed support for Hydro One to be designated as the transmitter, referencing their support of Hydro One’s commitment to meaningful economic partnerships with Indigenous communities.
One comment received through the ERO posting raised concerns regarding the environmental, procedural, and reconciliation implications of the proposal, suggesting that prioritization compromises the integrity and independence of the regulatory review process and enables new northern hydropower and mining development with no cumulative effects assessment. The commentor recommended that no project move forward until comprehensive cumulative effects assessments are completed and publicly available.
The ministry notes that, although declaring a project a priority removes the OEB’s requirement to consider whether the project is needed when deciding on the transmitter’s Leave to Construct application, this is only one element that the OEB considers when deciding whether a project is in the public interest and can proceed to construction. Priority designation does not alter the OEB‘s mandate to independently examine the project’s costs, impacts on reliability and quality of service. While this project may support new generation and mining projects, these projects would be subject to their own regulatory and approval processes.
Further, declaring a project a priority does not change the environmental requirements that apply. The project must still undergo a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Transmission Facilities, which includes requirements to assess potential environmental effects and identify appropriate mitigation measures. The Class EA process also requires proponents to consider cumulative effects.
Potentially impacted Indigenous communities that were consulted and engaged regarding the proposal shared comments related to an interest in partnership agreements with Hydro One, including equity, contracting agreements, training, and jobs. Several potentially impacted Indigenous communities expressed strong support for the proposal citing the project will address the region’s long-term power needs. These same communities expressed a desire to see the project developed, constructed, and maintained in a way that reflects community priorities and values, as found in Grand Council Treaty 3’s guiding law, Manito Aki Inakonigaawin.
One community raised concerns that Hydro One’s Equity Partnership Model is First Nation specific, stating a lack of opportunity for Métis participation, including limited employment and procurement opportunities, and systemic barriers limiting some communities from participating fully. The ministry acknowledged these concerns and committed to conveying the feedback to Hydro One.
The ministry considered and responded to concerns raised by Indigenous communities during consultation and Ontario will continue to engage and consult, as appropriate, and oversee the proponent’s consultation work, once delegated, with potentially impacted Indigenous communities so concerns, interests and issues identified at this early stage of project development are addressed as the transmission project advances, subject to approvals, by Hydro One.
Comments and feedback received have been helpful in identifying the issues and concerns which the ministry will share with Hydro One and relevant ministries so these may be further considered and addressed, as appropriate as the transmission project is developed and related approvals are sought. To this end, as part of the decision to proceed with the proposed OICs and Directive, the Minister of Energy and Mines will issue a letter to Hydro One setting out the province’s expectations for Hydro One to work closely with potentially impacted Indigenous communities as the project moves forward in development and advising of its intention to delegate the procedural aspects of consultation to Hydro One in respect of the project as it moves into the Class Environmental Assessment for Transmission Facilities. The letter will also include the ministry’s expectations for Hydro One to engage with municipalities and stakeholders. Input from Indigenous communities, municipalities, and stakeholders should be thoughtfully considered as Hydro One determines the appropriate routing for the project and considers ways to minimize or mitigate potential impacts from project development, as appropriate, to Aboriginal and treaty rights, residents, local ecosystems, businesses, and other socioeconomic impacts more broadly.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
77 Grenville Street, 6th Floor
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2C1
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Callee Robinson
77 Grenville Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2C1
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Project Description:
The Government of Ontario recently published its Integrated Energy Plan, Energy for Generations (released on June 12, 2025), which sets out actions to ensure Ontarians have access to affordable, reliable, secure, and clean energy. The Plan identifies the Red Lake area in northwestern Ontario as a key region for Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy, with several mining projects that will create large electricity demands on short timelines. Our plan committed to taking action to support a transmission system that is flexible, reliable, and ready to scale, subject to further study and recommendations by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
In August 2025, the IESO released the Northwest Region Integrated Regional Resource Plan Addendum (Addendum) for the North of Dryden Sub-Region, which confirmed an urgent need for new transmission infrastructure in the Red Lake area. Among their recommendations, the Addendum recommends the urgent development of the following project:
One double-circuit 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line that will run from Dryden Transformer Station (TS) to Ear Falls TS, and another double-circuit 230-kV transmission line that will run from Ear Falls TS to Red Lake Switching Station (SS), along with associated station facilities.
IESO has indicated that this is the most cost-effective solution to address imminent capacity constraints, ensure regional system reliability, and support critical mining projects in the region. The project could also support the integration of at least 200 MW of new electricity generation projects.
Consistent with the Plan and based on IESO’s recommendations, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (ministry) is proposing to take future actions to facilitate the timely development of this project. The proposed actions, subject to fulfillment of all applicable consultation obligations, including the Crown’s Duty to Consult, and receiving all required approvals, are intended to mitigate the risk of delays to the recommended infrastructure, and advance a shared goal of reconciliation with Indigenous communities by enabling economic, partnership, and leadership opportunities that can bring prosperity and security to the region.
Our proposed actions for public feedback are as follows:
1. The proposal to Declare the Red Lake Transmission Lines as a Priority
The ministry is proposing to bring forward an Order in Council that would, subject to the fulfillment of all applicable consultation obligations, including the Crown’s Duty to Consult and subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council, declare the following transmission project, to be a priority project under s. 96.1 (1) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (OEBA):
One double-circuit 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line that will run from Dryden Transformer Station (TS) to Ear Falls TS, and another double-circuit 230-kV transmission line that will run from Ear Falls TS to Red Lake Switching Station (SS), along with associated station facilities.
Per s. 96.1 (2) of the OEBA, this declaration would require the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the provincial economic regulator of the energy sector, to accept that this line is needed when assessing whether the project is in the public interest as part of its Leave to Construct review process. This would streamline the OEB’s review and prevent delays to ensure that the project is brought online on time. The OEB would still be required to consider the interests of electricity consumers with respect to project costs and the reliability and quality of electricity service.
The proposal to declare this transmission line to be a priority project would not impact the requirement for the transmitter to obtain all required government approvals, including under the Environmental Assessment Act and obtaining Leave to Construct from the OEB. These approvals include requirements for the transmitter to consult with the public, stakeholders and potentially impacted Indigenous communities on the proposed project.
2. The proposal to designate Hydro One Networks Inc. as Transmitter for the Project
The ministry is also proposing, subject to the fulfillment of all applicable consultation obligations, including the Crown’s Duty to Consult and subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council, to direct the OEB, pursuant to s. 28.6.1 of the OEBA, to amend Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One)’s transmitter licence to require it to undertake development work and seek all necessary approvals to construct the transmission project listed above.
The IESO stated that this project is needed on an urgent basis and leverages existing infrastructure and corridors, therefore indicating that it is not suitable for competitive procurement. By designating Hydro One, the ministry would be providing the regulatory clarity to initiate project development work and advance Indigenous partnership discussions on this project. This would help to avoid the possibility of delays in the approvals process which can add to development timelines and increased costs that are ultimately borne by electricity ratepayers.
As a key local transmitter in the region, Hydro One is best situated to promptly undertake development work for this project. Hydro One’s ownership of the connecting infrastructure and transmission rights-of way along the existing corridor better enables them to site new transmission infrastructure in a location where corridor expansion is limited. Additionally, Hydro One is familiar with Ontario’s regulatory and permitting processes and has established relationships with local and Indigenous communities. All these factors best position Hydro One to advance the development of this project. Furthermore, Hydro One’s First Nation Equity Partnership Model, launched in 2022, offers First Nations the opportunity to advance the project together in partnership and a 50% equity stake in new transmission lines exceeding $100 million. This model is expected to advance reconciliation by creating economic opportunities for First Nation communities, such as equity participation, procurement opportunities, and jobs.
Consultation with Indigenous Communities on this Proposal:
The provincial Crown is committed to fulfilling its duty to consult with Indigenous communities in respect of its conduct that may have the potential to adversely impact Aboriginal and treaty rights protected under Section 35 of Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982 (s. 35 rights). The ministry will provide information about the proposed transmission project and the above policy actions to potentially impacted Indigenous communities, including information about how they can participate in the consultation process at this early stage of project development.
Prior to the posting on the environmental registry, the ministry will undertake early rights-based consultation with potentially impacted Indigenous communities, and early engagement with Political Territorial Organizations.
Indigenous communities will have an opportunity to review and provide comments about this proposal through the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), as well as through direct consultation opportunities for potentially impacted Indigenous communities to share their input about the proposed action and any potential for impacts to s. 35 rights directly with ministry staff.
In addition, should the proposal move forward, the province expects to delegate the procedural aspects of Crown consultation to the transmitter in respect of the transmission line, which may be fulfilled through the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks’ (MECP) environmental approvals and other provincial regulatory approvals and permits as appropriate.
Timing:
Depending on the outcomes of consultation, including consultation with Indigenous communities, the ministry anticipates bringing this proposal forward for a possible decision early in 2026, to ensure the transmission lines identified above can be put in service as soon as possible.
Environmental Impact:
Like all infrastructure projects, transmission projects have the potential to impact land (e.g., impacts to farmland), local environments and ecosystems, such as watersheds. These proposed actions do not impact the requirement for the transmitter to obtain all required government permits and approvals, including those required under the Environmental Assessment Act, prior to proceeding with the project’s construction. These approvals include requirements for the transmitter to consult with Indigenous communities, the public, and stakeholders on the proposed project, including in the determination of the exact path of the line, its impacts to the environment, and any appropriate mitigation measures.
Building transmission infrastructure is essential for maintaining Ontario’s affordable, secure, reliable and clean energy advantage. Success in achieving these objectives could have significant positive impacts on the environment.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from October 29, 2025
to December 13, 2025
Connect with us
Contact
Callee Robinson
77 Grenville Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2C1
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
4By email
3By mail
0