OTTAWA (August 14, 2021) – Last week, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) outlined key priorities for the electricity sector for next year’s federal budget in its recommendations to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance pre-budget consultations. CEA called for further federal support for clean, reliable, and affordable electricity and recommended a diverse set of measures the federal government could take in this direction.
“Clean, reliable and affordable power is key to supporting Canada’s path to be carbon neutral by 2050. This is why support for Canadian electricity is so important,” noted Francis Bradley, President and CEO of CEA. “Our pre-budget recommendations present pathways to help decarbonize the Canadian economy and modernize the electricity system to meet the evolving needs of Canadians.”
For a decarbonized economy, CEA recommended that the government:
- Develop and implement a national electrification framework to help Canada reach its decarbonization targets.
- And that this framework should reflect the regions and the diversity of electricity systems and markets in Canada, ensure customer affordability, and promote efficient use of energy.
For clean electricity, CEA recommended that the government:
- Promote the adoption of new green technologies by modernizing the Electricity & Gas Inspection Act and its attendant regulations.
- Prioritize discussions on modernizing electricity regulatory frameworks with provinces and territories
- Expand Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance Class 43.1/43.2 to further incentivize investments in clean energy.
For reliable and resilient electricity, CEA recommended that the government:
- Assess Canada’s climate change adaption needs in the energy sector and establish an Energy Climate Adaptation Fund.
- Provide further funding for cyber security programs that improve the electricity sector’s cyber posture.
For more affordable electricity, CEA recommended that the government:
- Coordinate and compliment energy efficiency financing and incentive programs.
- Exempt regulated utilities from planned changes to interest deductibility limits.
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About the Canadian Electricity Association
Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) members generate, transmit and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential and institutional customers across Canada every day. From vertically integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, to power marketers, to the manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology and services that keep the industry running smoothly -all are represented by this national industry association.
For additional information:
Julia Muggeridge
Vice-president, Communications and Marketing
613.719.9323