Earlier this month, the federal government released its vision for transforming Canada’s electricity sector: Powering Canada Forward.
The vision calls for decarbonizing our grids by 2035, keeping electricity systems reliable and ensuring household energy costs are affordable. Ottawa released the discussion paper and invites Canadians to respond and help develop Canada’s first Clean Electricity Strategy to be released in 2024.
“The simple fact is that we will need more clean electricity to support Canadians who are making the cost-saving switch to electric cars and heating and to support industries looking for a lower carbon footprint. Never before has the Government of Canada come forward with such a comprehensive vision on electricity in Canada, and we are keen to work with all levels of government and industry partners to make it happen,” said Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada in a statement.
Guilbeault calls the effort a “generational opportunity for Canada,” that will retrofit power plants, build new sources of clean electricity and generate jobs across Canada. “This project rivals any nation-building project in Canada’s history,” he said.
In its release, the government did recognize the reality that more has to be done to support the shift to an EV transportation system. “As more Canadians ride electrified public transit and shift to electric vehicles, more homeowners adopt electric heat pumps, and more businesses and industries green their operations, an abundant supply of clean, reliable and affordable electricity will be required,” said the government in a news release.
The release said that while provinces and territories are primarily responsible for electricity generation and delivery infrastructure within their borders, the federal government has a role in establishing environmental regulations and governing interprovincial power lines, regulating nuclear power, making strategic investments to achieve desired outcomes and facilitating collaboration with provincial and territorial counterparts.
