OEB Resource Guide

Reference Documents

The “basics” that guide the OEB are found in our enabling legislation and other provincial statutes. All of the following documents can be accessed on the OEB’s Web site at www.oeb.gov.on.ca.

General Statutes
Electricity Sectors Statutes
Natural Gas Sectors Statutes
Codes and Rules

General Statutes

To read or download the Acts and Regulations, please visit our Legislation page...

Energy Competition Act, 1998 (Bill 35)

Composed of the Electricity Act, 1998, and Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, and amendments to other statutes.
Set the legal framework for restructuring the old Ontario Hydro into successor companies.
Required municipally owned distributors to “corporatize” their businesses, transferring all assets and liabilities into a new incorporated entity and operating on a commercial basis.
Provided for the opening of the competitive wholesale market in electricity, which occurred on May 1, 2002.
Made the OEB the regulator of the electricity industry.

Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998

Outlined mandate of the OEB with respect to electricity and natural gas regulation.

Reliable Energy and Consumer Protection Act, 2002

Expanded the OEB’s mandate with enhanced powers to enforce compliance.
Imposed new requirements on electricity retailers and gas marketers to enhance consumer protection.

Ontario Energy Board Consumer Protection and Governance Act, 2003

Modified governance structure of the OEB.
Strengthened the OEB’s role to protect consumer interests with respect to prices and reliability and quality of gas service.

Statutory Powers Procedure Act

Governs the OEB’s processes in conjunction with the OEB Act, 1998.

Electricity Sector Statutes

Electricity Act, 1998

Outlined the framework for Ontario’s competitive electricity marketplace.

Electricity Restructuring Act, 2004 (Bill 100)

Amended the OEB Act, 1998, and the Electricity Act, 1998.
Reorganized Ontario’s electricity sector.
Changed the OEB’s responsibilities in electricity market surveillance, with the OEB assuming responsibility for the Market Surveillance Panel from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
Provided the OEB with greater oversight of market rule amendments by the IESO.
Created the new Ontario Power Authority (OPA) and assigned the OEB the oversight role of the OPA.

Natural Gas Sector Statutes

Municipal Franchises Act

Provided for the granting of a franchise to a natural gas distributor to provide natural gas within a municipality.

Codes and Rules

To read or download electricity codes and rules, visit our Rules, Codes, Guidelines and Forms page...

A number of codes and rules have been established, setting out standards of conduct and required practices for regulated firms.

ELECTRICITY SECTOR:

Affiliate Relationships Code for Electricity Distributors and Transmitters

Sets out the standards and conditions for the interaction between electricity distributors and transmitters and their respective affiliated companies.

Distribution System Code

Sets out the minimum obligations that a licensed electricity distributor must meet in carrying out its obligations to distribute electricity within its service area under its licence.

Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct

Sets out the minimum standards under which a licensed electricity retailer may retail electricity.

Retail Settlement Code

Sets out the minimum obligations that an electricity distributor and retailer must meet in determining the financial settlement costs of electricity retailers and consumers in facilitating service transaction requests where a competitive retailer provides service to a consumer.

Standard Supply Service Code

Sets out the rules that govern the conduct of Ontario electricity distributors in the provision of electricity to consumers connected to their distribution system.

Transmission System Code

Sets out the minimum standards that an electricity transmitter must meet in designing, constructing, managing and operating its transmission system. The code also sets out the requirements, standards, terms and conditions of a transmitter’s obligations to connect consumers to the transmission system, including performance standards, technical requirements and expansions and connections.

NATURAL GAS SECTOR:

To read or download natural gas codes and rules, visit our Rules, Codes, Guidelines and Forms page...

Affiliate Relationships Code for Gas Utilities

Sets out the standards and conditions for the interaction between gas distributors, transmitters and storage companies and their respective affiliated companies.

Code of Conduct for Gas Marketers

Sets out the minimum standards under which a licensed gas marketer may market natural gas.

Gas Distribution Access Rule

Establishes conditions of access to gas distribution services provided by a gas distributor and sets out rules governing the conduct of gas distributors toward gas vendors, including gas marketers.