May 5, 2023 – Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, launched the Canada Electricity Advisory Council to provide the Government of Canada with advice on actions needed to achieve its 2035 and 2050 net-zero emissions goals (as they pertain to electricity).

“The Electricity Council will help us build the grid we need by providing independent, expert advice on how to both grow and decarbonize Canada’s electricity systems in collaboration with the provinces and territories, and with Indigenous partners,” said Wilkinson.

The body of electricity sector stakeholders will provide advice to the Minister of Natural Resources “to accelerate investment, and promote sustainable, affordable and reliable electricity systems”.

The council’s work will cover both the reduction of emissions in the electricity sector needed to achieve net-zero by 2035 and the growth of generation needed to power a net-zero-emissions economy in 2050.

The Electricity Council will be chaired by Philippe Dunsky, president of Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, and include these other members:

• Lesley Gallinger, Independent Electricity System Operator
• Darlene Whalen, NL Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (formerly)
• Wendy Franks, Northland Power
• Bruce Lourie, Ivey Foundation
• Jason Dion, Canadian Climate Institute
• John Gaudet, Maritime Electric (formerly)
• Gerry Forrest, Manitoba Public Utilities Board (formerly)
• Greg Robart, Smart Grid Innovation Network
• Tim Eckel, SaskPower
• Grant Sullivan, Nihtat Energy Ltd.
• Stephen MacDonald, EfficiencyOne
• Emily Whetung MacInnes, Curve Lake First Nation
• Bob Elton, BC Hydro (formerly)
• Kerry O’Reilly Wilks, TransAlta
• Chief Sharleen Gale, Fort Nelson First Nation, First Nations Major Projects Coalition
• Pete Bothwell, ATCO
• Judith Ferguson, Nova Scotia Power
• Stéphanie Trudeau, Énergir

This group will work in conjunction with other bodies advising Ottawa on matters related to energy and climate. At the conclusion of its one-year term, the Canada Electricity Advisory Council will deliver a report outlining its analysis and recommendations.