Quick answer
They're federal rules, finalized in December 2024, that limit emissions from electricity generation starting in 2035 and aim for a net-zero grid by 2050.1
What they do
Ontario's grid operator's approach
The IESO's 2026 Annual Planning Outlook says the regulations could adversely affect reliability and costs in Ontario by limiting production from most of the province's gas fleet starting in 2035. Instead of modelling the regulations directly, it plans for limited gas production that reaches the same outcome of near-zero emissions by 2050.2
The bigger federal plan
In May 2026 the federal government announced a plan to double Canada's grid capacity by 2050, noting the system is already about 80% non-emitting and projecting a need for 150 GW of new firm generation.3
Common follow-up questions
Do the regulations affect my home directly?
They apply to electricity generation, not homes, but they shape how the grid that supplies your home is built.
Is natural gas banned from the grid?
No. The rules limit emissions over time, and federal plans still see a role for some gas.
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