Electrification is central to building a stronger, more affordable, and more energy-secure Canadian economy. Powering Canada Strong is a new federal strategy that establishes a national vision for the infrastructure, investment, and coordination needed to support an electrified economy. A public consultation for input on how the strategy is implemented now open.
Realizing Canada’s vision will require more than investing in large scale generation, transmission, and interprovincial infrastructure. Electrification ultimately happens where energy is used: in homes, buildings, businesses, and communities across Canada, whose decisions will ultimately determine the pace and scale of the transition.
To unlock the full value of electrification, federal investments and policies must be translated into practical, customer-facing solutions that enable Canadians to participate in and benefit from the transition. Investments in large scale clean energy generation and transmission need to be complemented by matching investments in electricity distribution and end use electrification, ensuring clean energy supply and demand are growing in concert. Effective, implementation will also require trusted local delivery partners, and accessible pathways for adopting electrification.
Municipalities and their partners, such as TAF and the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) network are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between national ambition and implementation. TAF’s work to support the deployment of EV charging infrastructure through federal programming, innovative financing approaches, and initiatives such as TAF’s Home Solar Accelerator demonstrates how trusted local delivery networks can accelerate project deployment, reduce execution risk, and maximize the impact of public investment.
Ultimately, progress will be measured not only by infrastructure Canada builds, but also by the real and tangible benefits delivered to Canadians through energy affordability and more comfortable and resilient homes. To truly make progress and make Canadian’s energy more affordable, secure, and efficient, local delivery is key. Realizing these benefits will depend on millions of decisions made in homes, buildings, businesses, and communities across the country.
Local implementation is the critical link between the strategy’s national ambitions and the actions required to achieve them. While large-scale energy projects remain essential, Canada is operating in a period of economic uncertainty that underscores the importance of self-sufficiency and resilience. This boots-on-the-ground approach that smooths out logistical issues everyday Canadians face when making complicated energy decisions is where cites and LC3 centres provide value and a ready-to-go partner for the Government of Canada.
National electricity projects are vital for Canada to stand strong and independent, but the local implementation and investments will determine whether Canada achieves the scale and pace of electrification envisioned in the strategy. In this way, electrification represents a nation building opportunity that invites Canadians to participate directly in building a stronger, more affordable, and more resilient economy.
TAF supports the federal government’s National Electricity Strategy and its ambition to build a stronger, more affordable, and electrified Canadian economy. We look forward to working with local partners and the government to make the strategy a reality.
Photo by Leticia Golubov on Unsplash
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