Why Ontario's Bedrock Could Become Canada's Next Carbon Storage Frontier

Ontario is making a bold move that could reshape Canada's carbon management landscape. The province is advancing Bill 27, the Resource Management and Safety Act, which includes the first-ever framework for commercial-scale geologic carbon storage in the province. If passed, this legislation would give high-emitting industries like steel, cement, natural gas power generation, and oil refining a critical new tool to manage their emissions.

The bill is currently awaiting third reading in the Ontario legislature. Once enacted, it would establish clear rules for injecting captured carbon dioxide deep underground, where it would remain permanently stored in geologic formations.

Why Ontario's Geology Makes It a Strong Candidate

The Government of Ontario has identified storage zones beneath Lake Erie and Lake Huron as having ideal conditions for carbon storage. The province's southwestern region sits atop Cambrian Age rock formations, nestled roughly 800 meters or more below the surface, about one and a half times the height of the CN Tower.

What makes this geology particularly promising is the natural containment system. A 500-meter layer of impermeable rock overlies these storage zones, acting like a lid that prevents any stored CO2 from escaping back into the atmosphere.

Hart, who has extensively studied the region's geology, notes that the Cambrian rocks along the north shore of Lake Erie represent the most suitable location for carbon storage in the province. Modern drilling methods and continuous monitoring systems add additional layers of safety to any future projects.

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How Ontario Fits Into Canada's Carbon Management Push

Currently, only Alberta and Saskatchewan have operational carbon capture and storage projects in Canada. These include high-profile facilities like Shell's Quest project and the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line. Ontario's entry into the space would significantly expand the country's geographic footprint for carbon management.

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The federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has positioned carbon capture and storage as a cornerstone of Canada's climate strategy. The Pathways Alliance, a coalition of major oilsands operators, continues to advance plans for large-scale carbon storage infrastructure in Western Canada.

What Happens After Bill 27 Passes

The proposed Geologic Carbon Storage Act within Bill 27 establishes the regulatory foundation, but much of the operational detail will come through subsequent regulations. Provincial permits for storage projects would require municipal approval and evaluation of impacts on water quality and agriculture, plus consultations with First Nations for any proposals affecting their territories.

The Pembina Institute, a Calgary-based climate think tank, has been closely following the legislation's development. The organization has recommended that the Crown hold pore space ownership while requiring landowner consent for any surface land access.

Fong notes that the legislation delegates significant authority to the minister to determine project-specific requirements, meaning more detailed regulations will be needed to fully evaluate the framework's effectiveness.

Ontario's Path Forward in Carbon Management

The province has estimated that enabling geologic carbon storage could reduce emissions by 5 to 7 million tonnes annually while generating up to 4,000 short-term jobs. For industries in Ontario's manufacturing heartland, this represents a practical pathway to lower their carbon footprints without relocating operations.

As carbon management technologies mature and regulatory frameworks solidify across North America, Ontario is positioning itself to become a meaningful player in Canada's expanding carbon storage infrastructure. The ancient rocks beneath the Great Lakes may soon take on a decidedly modern purpose: helping heavy industry transition toward a lower-carbon future.