Promoting open public dialogue, reasoned analysis,
and a solutions-oriented approach to energy policy
July 2022 | Newsletter

Toward a National Energy Vision

Collaboration and transparent discussions using scientific facts and reliable data are the necessary prerequisites for an affordable transition for Canada.

Message from Glen Wright, CCRE Chair
Calling for a National Energy Vision: It is time to get real on climate change

Canada’s highly decentralized system of government means that close coordination between federal, provincial, territorial, and indigenous governments is essential for a successful energy transformation toward net-zero. As reported by author Marc Brouillette in the CCRE Commentary (December 2021), “The trifecta of energy options – low-carbon electricity, decarbonized fossil fuels and hydrogen – will unfold differently across Canada, influenced by regional climate and energy policy alignment.”

Recently, the CCRE held its Energy Leaders Roundtable in Ontario, Canada (June 15-17, 2022) where energy experts identified some siloed progress and polling that suggests a willingness of Canadians over the coming years to balance transformation with reliability and affordability. 

In our view, there is no currently demonstratable effort to find common ground for moving forward Toward a National Energy Vision for Canada. This topic continues to remain top of mind as collaboration on infrastructure development, the economy, decarbonization and reaching our climate goals remains critical.

I invite you to read our most recent CCRE Commentary in which the author states, “The success of Canada’s net-zero transition is inextricably linked to the decarbonization policies in all provinces including Ontario and Quebec. Collaboration and transparent discussions using scientific facts and reliable data are the necessary prerequisites for an affordable transition for Canada.”


New CCRE Commentary

Case Study: Electricity System Implications for Ontario & Quebec

Media Release
In its latest CCRE Commentary, the Council for Clean & Reliable Energy (CCRE) provides a case study on the importance of three national energy vision principles: fact and science-based discussions, the need for comprehensive and reliable data, and ensuring affordability. Written by energy expert Marc Brouillette, principal consultant at Strategic Policy Economics (Strapolec), this CCRE Commentary is entitled Toward a National Energy Vision - Case Study: Electricity System Implications for Ontario and Quebec.

Brouillette has been advising provincial and federal government ministries, agencies and Crown corporations for more than 20 years. He specializes in technology-based, public-private initiatives in policy-driven regulated environments and has recently been a frequent commentator on policy matters related to Ontario’s energy sector.  

This third Commentary in the CCRE series advancing a National Energy Vision explores the misalignment of electricity policies and climate objectives in Ontario and how that presents risks to achieving national climate goals. Brouillette then lays out how opportunities may be enabled through collaboration between Ontario and Quebec on an overall regional energy vision to enable a Net-Zero energy transformation that works hand-in-glove with Canada’s overall climate policies.

CCRE Commentaries are published several times a year. Previous issues covered redesign of the feed-in tariff, ensuring customers benefit from utility mergers, re-establishing realistic electricity prices, gaining public acceptance for energy infrastructure and building a principled approach for a Canadian national energy vision. They can be found on the CCRE website at www.thinkingenergy.ca.

The CCRE is a forum for reasoned analysis on subjects related to energy policy. In the past, the Council has sponsored conferences on vital energy-supply topics such as the Ontario Auditor General’s report on the province’s renewable energy program, clean coal technology, nuclear power, governance models in the electricity sector, biomass energy opportunities and rationalizing electricity distribution. 

For more information, contact: 

Marc Brouillette, Author

Glen Wright, Chair

Karen Taylor, Vice Chair

For more information: 

CCRE Annual Energy Leaders Roundtable

Hockley Valley Resort, Ontario
June 15-17, 2022

Promoting public dialogue, reasoned analysis, and a solutions-based approach to energy policy
The 2022 CCRE Annual Energy Leaders Roundtable was held at the Hockley Valley Resort from June 15-17, 2022. Thought leaders from the energy industry gathered once again and had the opportunity to reconnect in person. 

Key to the success of this event depends on the active participation and candid exchange of views of the thought leaders as expert presenters and panelists, and participants. Networking sessions further allow for ongoing dialogue, information flow and opportunities to further exchange ideas between participants.

The keynote and panel presentations were developed around the theme “Towards a National Energy Vision”, an issue that continues to be of paramount importance for Canada. For post-event information and available presentations, please visit the CCRE website at: www.thinkingenergy.ca.
Glen Wright, CCRE Chair
Roundtable Co-Chair
Karen Taylor, CCRE Vice Chair
Roundtable Co-Chair
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