Ottawa (February 19, 2019) – Today, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) celebrates the tenth anniversary of its commitment to advancing sustainability through the Sustainable ElectricityTM Program. Launched in 2009, this industry-wide program promotes the integration of sustainability into company decision-making processes; continuous improvement of sustainability performance; and the advancement of public acceptance and support for company operations through meaningful engagement, collaboration, transparency and accountability.
Since the launch of the program ten years ago, CEA members have made significant progress on sustainability. Air emissions are at an all-time low; engagement levels with employees, local communities, stakeholders, and Indigenous Peoples are increasing; and investments to renew and modernize infrastructure are also on the rise. To add to this trend, over 80 percent of the electricity generation mix in Canada is also Greenhouse Gas (GHG)-free, making it one of the cleanest in the world. CEA’s Chief Operating Officer Francis Bradley noted, “I am very proud of our progress over the last ten years and the possibilities ahead of us. The electricity sector plays an important role in the Canadian economy and we're determined to ensure that our business practices are sustainable”.
“I applaud CEA members for their unwavering commitment to sustainability and working towards an inclusive and prosperous future for all Canadians, said Channa S. Perera, CEA’s Vice-President of Policy Development. These companies understand that sustainability is not a nice to do, but an essential part of doing business in their respective communities”.
As we look ahead to the next decade, CEA and its members call upon governments, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and other civil society groups to work with us to ensure a sustainable, cost-effective and a reliable electricity system for generations to come.