Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative

With the Canadian/US. tariff war ramping up, Ontario’s Energy Minister Stephen Lecce has announced $500,000 for St. Clair Township to move public consultation ahead for new power generation in Courtright.

Standing on the banks of the St. Clair River Tuesday with the U.S. in view, Lecce said the Ford government takes public consultation seriously and has not pre-determined what kind of power plant will be located on the 1,200 acres formerly occupied by the Lambton Generating Station (LGS).

But he noted that he believes the nuclear power industry is both tariff-proof and recession-proof.

“The truth is folks, we need to generate 90 per cent more power by 2050 and the question is how do we do it reliably, responsibly, using made-in-Canada technology where the technology is Canadian, the fuel is Canadian, the workforce is Canadian, built by and for Canadians,” said Lecce during the press conference with Associate Energy Minister Sam Oosterhoff and about two dozen local politicians, labour leaders and economic development officials.

“This is our moment to build big, knowing that no matter what the insanity that happens or comes out of Washington, we will be strong, free and united,” said Lecce.

Power generation in Ontario is about more than keeping the lights on, said the minister.

“It’s about national security and sovereignty. It’s about having the power to make our own decisions, build our own industries and fuel our economy right here at home.”

He made his remarks across the road from the former LGS site, where a coal-fired plant was shut down by Ontario’s Liberal government in 2013 and later demolished in 2022.

The closure of that plant was shortsighted, said Lecce, calling it a “careless decision.

“We know when governments fail to plan for the unexpected and fail to think about the next generation,” he said. “…That’s why we are here today to write the next chapter for this country, standing up for our sovereignty by working with St. Clair Township.

“No matter what President Trump thinks, Canada will never be the 51st state. We’re not going to back down in this moment,” said Lecce to a round of applause.

The closure of LGS meant the loss of 400 high-paying jobs and approximately $2 million in taxes every year for St. Clair Township.

For at least three years, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has eyed the site for redevelopment involving natural gas, hydrogen or nuclear options. OPG officials have also said LGS could be the first in Ontario to generate electricity in three distinct ways, along with battery storage. The zoning is already in place and St. Clair council has already formally indicated the township is a willing host.

But in the last round of announcements by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the LGS site did not make the list of new energy projects for Ontario.

The next round won’t be until at least 2027, said Kim Lauritsen, senior VP of enterprise strategy and growth at OPG. She also spoke at Tuesday’s announcement and said LGS operated for more than four decades and the site once again has the potential to meet the province’s energy needs.

While contracts for new energy development are still a year or two away, the province’s $500,000 can be spent now to assist St. Clair with hiring energy experts for public consultation and to determine what kinds of infrastructure will be needed, said Lauritsen.

St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar said he and his council are excited by the province’s interest in the LGS site.

“It needs to happen,” he said. “I’ve lived here a long time and when (LGS closed) it was devastating. I challenge you to go find another municipality that can take a $2 million hit and keep going.”

There’s a shortage of large construction jobs in Sarnia-Lambton and the summer’s been “quiet,” according to Agar. The current unemployment rate is about 8 per cent.

“There’s not as much around as there used to be,” said Agar. “We need this.”