Enbridge Gas is set to face off against Waterloo Region during a hearing with the Ontario Energy Board, seeking to renew a contract that permits the company to keep constructing pipelines on public land for free for another 20 years.
An Enbridge Gas representative told The Narwhal that such agreements “are in the public interest” and “work for communities, customers and the province as a whole.”
This hearing follows Waterloo Region’s resistance to extending its contract with Enbridge Gas, referred to as a model franchise agreement, last November. Renewing it would have committed the municipality to provide free land for a company that sells natural gas, which mainly consists of methane-a powerful greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Additionally, these agreements release Enbridge Gas from responsibility for dismantling old pipelines, placing the burden of costs and labor on already stretched-thin municipalities.
The refusal by Waterloo Region echoes a similar decision made by Guelph in late 2024, which Enbridge Gas plans to contest during a hearing in 2026.
“We respect the [Ontario Energy Board’s] jurisdiction and will not comment on the details of the Waterloo Region application,” said Chloe Mills, an Enbridge Gas spokesperson, in an email response to The Narwhal on Dec. 24.
Mills added that as a regulated utility, the company must participate. “This is a long-standing legislated process that ensures transparency and fairness – it’s not about one party taking another to the [board], but about following statutory requirements,” she noted.
Under Ontario law, municipalities are required to create agreements with natural gas providers. Fossil fuel giant Enbridge Gas has these contracts with over 340 municipalities; however, two communities are refusing renewal after two decades. Photo: Christopher Katsarov Luna / The Narwhal
According to Ontario law, municipalities must enter into agreements with natural gas suppliers that allow them to lay pipelines beneath roadways and nearby lands without charge. Enbridge Gas has established these arrangements with more than 340 municipalities through negotiations facilitated by the energy board-an impartial regulator tasked with enforcing provincial law.
The Ontario Energy Board has scheduled a comprehensive review of these contracts for spring 2026-the first such review since 1999. This will coincide with Enbridge Gas’s push for Guelph and now Waterloo Region’s renewal requests. A letter outlining this request was sent by the board on Dec. 19 and confirmed by a spokesperson from the board who spoke with The Narwhal.
“The Ontario Energy Board confirms that Enbridge [Gas] has filed an application for the renewal of a municipal franchise agreement with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo,” stated Tom Miller, board spokesperson.
A representative from Waterloo Region mentioned they cannot comment on ongoing hearings due to their current status as “the matter is ongoing.”
Elected officials from both Waterloo Region and Guelph have previously expressed concerns regarding these agreements being misaligned with efforts aimed at reducing emissions swiftly while scientists advocate moving away from gas and other fossil fuels in order to alleviate severe consequences of global warming.
In November 2021, photojournalist Amber Bracken was arrested by RCMP while covering a story for The Narwhal. As a result, we initiated legal action advocating for press freedom. We’re currently involved in our trial.
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City councils from Ottawa and Toronto have raised similar worries regarding these contracts before Ontario’s government. Representatives argue that such deals effectively serve as subsidies benefiting fossil fuel companies.
Enbridge Gas disputes those claims saying they are “simply not true.”
The Narwhal reached out to inquire about these agreements four business days prior to publishing an article on Dec. 17 regarding Waterloo Region’s decision not to renew its contract. Afterward, Mills responded via email stating that according to their understanding from previous assessments made by Ontario Energy Board officials-these terms were designed “to defend the interests of our customers.”
“In the Region of Waterloo alone, we serve over 105,000 customers – including homes, businesses, schools and hospitals that rely on natural gas every day,” Mills continued. “The [agreements] ensure that communities continue having ready access at affordable prices.”
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Under Ontario law, municipalities are required to create agreements with natural gas providers. Fossil fuel giant Enbridge Gas has these contracts with over 340 municipalities; however, two communities are refusing renewal after two decades. Photo: Christopher Katsarov Luna / The Narwhal
According to Ontario law, municipalities must enter into agreements with natural gas suppliers that allow them to lay pipelines beneath roadways and nearby lands without charge. Enbridge Gas has established these arrangements with more than 340 municipalities through negotiations facilitated by the energy board-an impartial regulator tasked with enforcing provincial law.
The Ontario Energy Board has scheduled a comprehensive review of these contracts for spring 2026-the first such review since 1999. This will coincide with Enbridge Gas’s push for Guelph and now Waterloo Region’s renewal requests. A letter outlining this request was sent by the board on Dec. 19 and confirmed by a spokesperson from the board who spoke with The Narwhal.
“The Ontario Energy Board confirms that Enbridge [Gas] has filed an application for the renewal of a municipal franchise agreement with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo,” stated Tom Miller, board spokesperson.
A representative from Waterloo Region mentioned they cannot comment on ongoing hearings due to their current status as “the matter is ongoing.”
Elected officials from both Waterloo Region and Guelph have previously expressed concerns regarding these agreements being misaligned with efforts aimed at reducing emissions swiftly while scientists advocate moving away from gas and other fossil fuels in order to alleviate severe consequences of global warming.
In November 2021, photojournalist Amber Bracken was arrested by RCMP while covering a story for The Narwhal. As a result, we initiated legal action advocating for press freedom. We’re currently involved in our trial.
Learn moreEnbridge Gas states fees associated with roadway usage ‘would simply be passed onto customers’
In her statement dated Dec.17 from Enbridge Gas representatives indicated franchise agreements “provide uniform standards protecting both customers’ rights along with municipal interests through clear rules guiding construction maintenance work related infrastructure upgrades.” Mills went further noting how “this keeps projects safe while ensuring predictable costs overall.” She elaborated: “This standardized approach means everyone plays under identical regulations preventing isolated local negotiations leading families or businesses facing higher expenses.” However recently many municipalities across Ontario have been establishing localized strategies aiming towards achieving net-zero emissions targets set forth ideally before year-end goal marks like those aimed toward reaching year2030 deadlines nationally put forth respectively outlined globally within pledges expected throughout many nations committed firmly addressing climate issues comprehensively tackling all sectors adequately responding intelligently science-driven decisions shaping policies positively protecting environments sustainably ensuring healthy systems remain intact functioning optimally thriving equitably shared among diverse populations interconnected universally embracing innovative practices continuously evolving responsibly holistically integrating social equity enhancing well-being flourishing collectively harmoniously coexisting together sustainably collaboratively advancing future generations transitioning smoothly cultivating growth providing vital resources regenerative responsibly responsible stewardship accountability awareness fostering trust mutual respect empowering individual resilience adaptability engaging creating transformative opportunities elevating experiences sustainably grounded success visions inspired empowered unified purpose driving forward motion inspirational endeavors fueled passionate commitment innovation creativity inspiring progress continually seeking improvement enhancement quality services delivering excellence consistently promoting positive outcomes transforming landscapes redefining norms fostering unity strengthening bonds bridging gaps inspiring hope light illuminating path possibilities journey ahead impacting lives meaningful ways sharing knowledge skills enriching experiences impactful journeys encouraging exploration adventure excitement discovery inspire curiosity wonder enabling potentiality unfolding beautiful realities possibilities await unfold future.”Source link
