Powering Canada Strong: What It Means for Ontario Property Owners
What the federal Powering Canada Strong strategy says about Ontario’s electricity future, and which programs Ontario homeowners and businesses can use today.
Powering Canada Strong is the federal government’s national electricity strategy, released by Natural Resources Canada in May 2026. It forecasts that Canada’s electricity demand will roughly double by 2050, and that Ontario’s will grow about 75% by 2050. It also estimates that over $1 trillion in investment will be needed to build the electricity system that growth requires. For Ontario homeowners, landlords and businesses, the strategy signals more electrification, more support for efficient heating and a growing need for skilled trades.
Key takeaways:
The strategy expects much more of Canada’s energy to come from electricity, including for heating buildings.
It highlights heat pumps and energy-saving retrofits, including plans for retrofits in up to one million households across Canada.
Several programs Ontario property owners can use today already exist. They’re listed below.
expects national electricity demand to double by 2050, and Ontario’s to grow about 75%
estimates over $1 trillion in investment is needed from now to 2050, drawing on federal tax credits, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (with a $20 billion clean energy target), the Canada Growth Fund, and private and institutional investors
plans energy-saving retrofits for up to one million households, including support for switching from propane, oil and electric baseboard heating to heat pumps
reports analysis showing 7 out of 10 Canadian households paying less by 2050, because electric systems such as heat pumps are 2 to 4 times more efficient than fuel-based ones
launches Team Canada Strong, a $6 billion effort to recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers over five years
If you used or missed the closed Canada Greener Homes programs, this household retrofit plan is the one to watch. Our Greener Homes replacement page tracks what’s known so far and lets you join the early list.
What Powering Canada Strong means for Ontario property owners
Heating is likely to keep shifting to electricity
The strategy leans heavily on heat pumps. For many Ontario homes, especially those heated with oil, propane or electric baseboards, a cold-climate heat pump can cut energy use. Whether it cuts your bills depends on your current fuel, your home and local rates. Our heat pump vs furnace guide walks through the comparison.
On-site solar becomes more relevant
As demand grows, generating part of your own electricity can reduce what you buy from the grid. Ontario’s net metering rules let you earn credits for surplus solar power. See our guide to solar interconnection in Ontario.
Skilled trades are a bottleneck
The strategy’s investment in trades training reflects demand for electricians and HVAC technicians. Planning ahead and booking qualified contractors early can help. See what certifications your contractor should have.
Understand your current costs. Look at your yearly electricity and fuel use.
Get an assessment. A home energy assessment or EnerGuide evaluation shows which upgrades matter most, and some rebates require one.
Check programs before you sign, including pre-approval rules.
Compare qualified quotes for heat pumps, solar or both.
Own a commercial or industrial building? See how commercial solar in Ontario can work for rooftop, ground-mount and multi-unit residential building (MURB) systems.
The bottom line
Powering Canada Strong forecasts much higher electricity demand in Ontario and backs heat pumps, retrofits and skilled trades to meet it. The strategy itself doesn’t hand out grants to individual properties, but existing programs, such as Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program, Peak Perks and net metering, can help you act now.
Frequently asked questions
What is Powering Canada Strong?
It’s the federal national electricity strategy released by Natural Resources Canada in May 2026. It sets out how Canada plans to meet rising electricity demand as more of the economy electrifies.
How much will Ontario’s electricity demand grow?
The strategy says Ontario’s electricity demand is forecast to grow about 75% by 2050, while national demand is expected to roughly double.
Does Powering Canada Strong give grants to homeowners?
The strategy describes plans, including retrofits for up to one million households. For money available now, look at existing programs such as Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program and the incentives in NRCan’s provincial directory.
