The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, welcomed the release of Powering Canada: A Blueprint for Success, the final report from the Canada Electricity Advisory Council. The report lays out the Council’s findings and provides 28 recommendations to inform future Government of Canada policy initiatives.

“I thank the Council members for their work and recommendations. The role of electricity is central to Canada’s clean energy future, and building out a clean electricity system will help us fight climate change and power a prosperous Canadian net-zero economy. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, industry and experts on this crucial work.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Building a clean, affordable, and reliable electricity system is at the foundation of Canada’s efforts to tackle climate change and presents a generational opportunity to drive clean economic growth across the country for decades to come. Just as the United States and other G7 partners are doing, we need to make supporting the low-carbon economy a priority. Setting new rules for cleaner power plants is already stimulating investments in lower-cost renewable energy and positioning Canada to be a global clean energy superpower. The advice from Canada’s Electricity Advisory Council will help to ensure we get the details right in this important work, including by providing provinces and territories the flexibility they need to continue to deliver affordable, reliable power.”

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environmental and Climate Change

“Canada is starting from a place of strength. If any country in the world can succeed in this transition, it is ours. But as we move forward, we need to be deliberate, thoughtful, mindful of regional differences and ready to rethink old ways of thinking and doing. By being clearer about where we’re going, by boldly acting to cut red tape and by investing strategically, we can win the race to an economy powered by clean, competitive electricity.”

Philippe Dunsky
President, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors
Chair, Canada Electricity Advisory Council

• Canada is ahead. Approximately four in five Canadians live in provinces where electricity is already largely decarbonized (more than 90 percent non-emitting). Electricity supply varies across the country, and provinces and territories — which have jurisdiction over their electricity systems — may follow different paths as they move toward expanded and cleaner grids.

• Canada’s challenge is twofold: complete the process of decarbonizing our electricity, and grow our clean power supplies to meet the fast-growing demands of Canadian households, business and industry.

• To achieve its goals, Canada needs to rapidly expand its buildout of clean electricity infrastructure, roughly doubling it in a generation.

• Meeting Canada’s clean electricity goals alone can deliver nearly 40 percent of the country’s long-term climate commitments while powering a stronger, growth-oriented economy.

• If it is to succeed, the transition must be affordable and cost-competitive. Analysis prepared for the Council suggests this is possible, in large part because of the fuel savings that new electricity will create. By 2050, more than seven in 10 Canadian households can be expected to see net cost-savings as a result of switching to clean electricity, if the right measures are adopted and well executed.

• By embracing Indigenous Nations and communities as full partners in these projects, Canada has a unique opportunity to begin repairing the unequal relationship that has long dominated energy and resource development and to harness a powerful force for reconciliation.

• Federal-provincial-territorial collaboration is vital if all parts of Canada are to succeed. While the federal government can enable and support an effective, affordable, reliable and inclusive transition, most authority over electricity is and shall remain vested with provinces and territories.

• Launched in May 2023, the Clean Electricity Advisory Council is a panel of electricity sector subject-matter experts from every region of the country. Council members included primarily senior electricity sector leaders, as well as Indigenous partners and thought leaders.

• The Council’s mandate was to explore and provide independent advice to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the Government of Canada on how federal policy can enable the growth and decarbonization of Canada’s electricity systems, in collaboration with the provinces, territories and with Indigenous partners.

• Throughout its one-year mandate, the Council held over 80 meetings and engaged with over 100 partners and stakeholders to better understand the opportunities, barriers and needs associated with Canada’s electricity systems. These meetings included provincial and territorial governments, federal officials, Indigenous partners and organizations, electric utilities, power producers, system operators, regulators, industry, think tanks, civil society organizations and members of the public.

Associated links

• Canada Electricity Advisory Council Final Report
• Terms of Reference
• Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region of Canada
• 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
• Smart Grid Program
• Wah-ila-toos: Clean Energy Initiatives in Indigenous, rural and remote communities
• Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
• World Energy Outlook 2023 – Analysis - IEA

Natural Resources Canada
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Carolyn Svonkin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
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Carolyn.Svonkin@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca