Energy grid limits make transition from natural gas unrealistic and would leave consumers out in the cold
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Some members of Winnipeg City Council appear determined to advance their campaign against natural gas use in buildings in the harshest winters in Canada’s coldest city.
The most recent development occurred when the City’s Standing Policy Committee on Water, Waste and Environment considered a motion to explore options for reducing or replacing natural gas heating in existing and new residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. According to meeting minutes, the motion was left in limbo due to a lack of consensus or action.
If acted upon, this motion could lead to significant consequences for residents and businesses. Winnipeg City Council should instead enshrine energy choice as a fundamental principle to ensure reliable and affordable heating options for all.
 Resistance to municipal natural gas ban grows in Canadian cities. |
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Winnipeggers who support energy choice can draw hope from developments in other Canadian cities. Across the country, resistance to natural gas bans is increasing. For example, in 2023, Vancouver City Council voted to amend its building code to allow natural gas use in new buildings, reversing an earlier policy. The decision came after councillors raised concerns about housing affordability and the costs of retrofitting buildings to comply with bans. Landlords and homeowners argued that replacing gas heaters, furnaces, and boilers with electric alternatives would impose steep financial burdens.
The natural gas debate is part of a broader trend as municipalities across Canada adopt ambitious climate action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While well-intentioned, these plans often overlook the financial and logistical implications for ordinary citizens. For example, natural gas bans are frequently promoted as essential for cutting emissions but fail to address the limitations of current energy infrastructure. Transitioning to alternative systems, such as electric heating, involves not only higher upfront costs but also potential strain on provincial power grids.
These challenges are well-documented in Manitoba. Manitoba Hydro, the province’s Crown-owned utility, has long warned against eliminating natural gas heating. In 2021, the utility published a report highlighting the impracticality of replacing natural gas with electricity. The report noted that while Manitoba has abundant hydropower, its generating capacity is insufficient to meet peak demand during cold winters. Doubling the province’s generating capacity would be necessary to maintain reliability, a costly and time-consuming endeavour.
This perspective isn’t ideological – it’s rooted in Manitoba Hydro’s technical understanding of energy demand and supply constraints. Yet, these reasonable voices are often overshadowed by environmental organizations advocating for immediate change. Groups such as the Pembina Institute frequently attend protests and provide input to municipal politicians, promoting policies that restrict energy choice. While well-funded, with support from both foreign donors and government grants, their campaigns sometimes disseminate misleading or incomplete information, complicating public debates.
Proponents of energy choice must become more vocal and organized to counter these narratives. Misinformation about energy systems must be challenged directly, and citizens need to engage in municipal politics to support candidates who respect energy choice and affordability.
The experience in the United States provides an instructive example. States such as Texas and Arizona have passed laws preventing municipalities from banning natural gas in new buildings. However, these measures are not immune to political shifts at the state level. A more durable solution lies in grassroots, citizen-led movements that actively monitor and oppose restrictive energy policies.
Canadians must stay vigilant. This is not a partisan issue but a practical one that affects affordability and reliability for all. Energy abundance and freedom are essential for all communities across Canada. Reasonable people, regardless of political affiliation, must come together to advocate for policies that balance environmental goals with the economic realities Canadians face.
It’s not too late to push back against ideologically driven policies and stand up for common sense. The fight for energy choice is a fight for reliability, affordability, and fairness. Now is the time to act.
Joseph Quesnel is a Senior Research Fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
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