The Canada Electricity Advisory Council
The Council’s final report is now available. Read the final report.
The Government of Canada is committed to moving away from unabated fossil fuels and moving towards a net-zero emissions in the electricity sector by 2035. The Government of Canada is also committed to rapidly expanding the clean electricity grid to meet the increasing demand for electricity in order to support a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. This vision is articulated in Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region of Canada, released on August 8, 2023.
In order to fulfill these goals, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources created the Canada Electricity Advisory Council in May 2023 (the Electricity Council), which completed its mandate in May 2024.
The Electricity Council’s mission and core mandate
The Electricity Council was an independent, electricity-sector focussed, expert advisory body that provided advice to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources to accelerate investment, and promote sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity systems.
Chaired by Philippe Dunsky, with membership including electricity sector stakeholders, current and former electricity sector executives, and Indigenous leaders, the Electricity Council examined and provided expert advice on key issues related to governance and decision-making. Its goal was to help federal, provincial, and territorial governments, industry stakeholders, and Indigenous partners drive progress towards 2035 and 2050 net-zero objectives.
The Electricity Council’s work acknowledged and respected the jurisdictional role of the provinces and territories in electricity sector decision-making and drew on work done at the provincial and territorial levels, as well as by utilities and Indigenous partners.
The Electricity Council’s key deliverable was a report that outlined its analysis and recommendations to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, which was delivered in May 2024.
Final Report
The Final Report details the Council’s advice to government on key steps needed to ensure that Canada’s electricity sector is positioned to play its central role in achieving the country’s emissions goals affordably, reliably, and in ways that benefit Indigenous communities. The Council’s 28 recommendations fall into four themes:
- align the goals
- enable the build
- support the transition
- save to lighten the load
The Council’s work was informed by extensive consideration of the electricity sector’s challenges and opportunities, as well as direct engagement with Indigenous partners, provincial and territorial governments, Crown corporations, industry, labour, academics, and end users, among others.
The Final Report was delivered to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on May 27, 2024.
Interim Report
This Interim Report represented the Council’s initial findings and preliminary recommendations, based on discussions and information gathering from May to October 2023.
Electricity Council members
The Electricity Council was comprised of independent electricity sector experts who represented a cross-section of leaders in the areas of regulatory policy and institutions, clean energy technology and innovation, socio-economic issues, Indigenous communities, and intergovernmental affairs. Members had diverse and complementary backgrounds and came from all regions of Canada. As part of the Electricity Council, members represented themselves independently from any organization that they are employed by or affiliated with.
News and engagement
Two information sessions will be held in June 2024 (one in English, one in French) to hear firsthand from Council Chair Philippe Dunsky and fellow Council members, and to answer questions. If you would like to attend, please send us an email at: CEAC-CCCE@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Do you have questions on the Council’s work? Please send us an email at: CEAC-CCCE@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
News:
- Read the press release announcing the Council’s Final Report.
- Read the press release announcing the launch of the Electricity Council.
Associated Links
- Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region of Canada
- 2030 Emission Reductions Plan
- Clean Electricity Regulations
- Regional Electricity Cooperation and Strategic Infrastructure (RECSI) Initiative
- Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB)
- Regional Energy and Resource Tables
- The Electricity Council Terms of Reference
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