2026-Mar-31
Hydro One Seeks Community Input on New Sudbury-to-Barrie Transmission Line
Hydro One is in the early stages of developing a major new high-voltage transmission line set to run from the Hanmer Transformer Station (TS) in Sudbury to the Essa TS near Barrie. As this corridor is expected to traverse the Parry Sound-Muskoka region, it has significant implications for Georgian Bay communities and surrounding natural habitats.
GBA is actively tracking the development to ensure that environmental protections are prioritized. We are specifically looking at how this project intersects with federal and provincial impact assessment processes and how it may affect the local landscape.
Attend a Community Open House
Hydro One is hosting a series of public sessions to gather local feedback. If you have concerns about the route, property impacts, or environmental preservation, we encourage you to attend a session between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the following locations:
- Monday, April 13: Barrie (East Bayfield Community Centre)
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Tuesday, April 14: Parry Sound (Royal Canadian Legion Branch 117)
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Wednesday, April 15: Sudbury/Hanmer (Centennial Arena)
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Thursday, April 16: Bracebridge (Bracebridge Sportsplex)
For those unable to attend in person, a virtual community open house will be held on Tuesday, April 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can register for the virtual session here.
GBA will have a representative at both the Parry Sound and Barrie sessions.
GBA has formally submitted comments to the provincial government (ERO #025-0656) regarding the proposed fast-tracking of two new transmission lines. While GBA supports the goal of strengthening Ontario’s electrical grid to support economic growth, we have identified three critical areas of concern regarding the current proposal:
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Significant Environmental Impact – expanding the existing corridor requires extensive tree removal, leading to habitat loss and increased erosion. We are particularly concerned about the impact on Blackstone Lake and surrounding inland ecosystems
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Inadequate Consultation – the 2025 comment period did not provide sufficient notice to many affected property owners and community groups
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Prioritizing Ecology in Decision-Making – GBA believes environmental protection must remain a central factor in infrastructure planning, even when projects are “fast-tracked”
In our submission, we included a detailed technical proposal from GBA Director, Andy Metelka. His report outlines alternative engineering solutions that could potentially increase transmission capacity with a smaller environmental footprint than the current two-line plan. GBA is calling on the IESO and provincial officials to thoroughly evaluate these viable alternatives and give full consideration to the long-term environmental costs before proceeding with construction in 2026.
Read GBA’s submission letter here and Andy Metelka’s proposal here.
Learn more about the Barrie to Sudbury transmission line project here.