Federal government releases national plan for clean electricity

On Tuesday, Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, released Powering Canada Forward, the Canadian government’s vision for transforming the electricity sector, to decarbonize the grids by 2035, keep electricity systems reliable and tackle affordability.

Powering Canada Forward underscores the importance of decarbonizing Canada’s electricity systems as a step toward achieving net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050. To get there, the paper invites Canadians to join an important national conversation that will inform the development of Canada’s first Clean Electricity Strategy to be released in 2024.

Powering Canada Forward emphasizes the pace required to transform Canada’s electricity sector. The paper will try to inform how the federal government will accelerate work over the coming months with partners – including provinces, territories, Indigenous leaders, utilities, industry, private and financial sectors, unions, academics and civil society – to ensure Canadian competitiveness in a rapidly decarbonizing global economy while making life more affordable for energy consumers. This work will strengthen Indigenous partnerships, create good jobs and economic opportunity in every region of the country and aggressively tackle the climate crisis.

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.

“Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity is a critical step in driving down emissions and seizing the massive economic opportunities that will be enabled through the shift to a low-carbon future. This vision document, Powering Canada Forward, illustrates how, working together, we can build out a clean grid at a pace and scale needed to fight climate change, create good sustainable jobs and secure our economic prosperity for generations to come. This is a truly transformational, nation-building project that will require active, positive collaboration with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, utilities, labour, industry and all Canadians,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Building a clean grid across is a generational opportunity for Canada, key to fighting climate change, key to our economy. Retrofitting power plants and building new clean sources of electricity means cleaner air and the creation of good jobs in communities across Canada. 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.