CEA in the News

March 2013

On March 22, the Toronto Star published an article called Employers welcome federal job grant, but Quebec balks. Written by Dana Flavelle, the article discusses the Canada Job Grant, which the federal government introduced in the 2013 budget to address jobs and skills training. Regarding many employers welcoming the job-grant plan, CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee says, “I think most of them are very interested in it.” The electricity industry is facing a labour shortage in the next decade due to a wave of retirements and fewer young people opting to learn trades such as engineering, maintenance, and construction. Click here to read the full article.

On March 14, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) announced that they, along with the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), will be forming and co-chairing a new national advisory committee on smart grid standardization. The committee was a recommendation in last October’s Canadian Smart Grid Roadmap, published by the SCC. This new national initiative will help ensure that smart grid standardization efforts keep up with the fast pace of Canadian smart grid development and deployment. The committee will be comprised of government, industry and consumer representatives, and will address policy, legislation and regulatory considerations of Smart Grid development, implementation and usage, so as to ensure these are executed with consideration for Canadian interests.

Click here to view the SCC’s news release about the new committee.

February 2013

On February 19, the Globe and Mail published an article called In eastern Ontario, a battery five times the size of Niagara Falls. Regarding Northland Power Inc.’s plans to build a “pumped storage” hydroelectric plant that will store power and provide it to Ontario’s grid, CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee is quoted, saying, “As the business develops, it is going to represent a game changer for the power sector. If you have access to storage, you would need less peak generation or generation from other sources.” Click here to read the full article.

Also on February 19, Canadian Consulting Engineer published an article called Electric vehicles summit shows need for new infrastructure. CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee, who spoke at the summit, was interviewed about electric vehicles and the future infrastructure challenges that will arise as more people want to plug their cars into an electrical outlet. Click here to read the full article.

On February 14, the Chronicle Herald published an article called Electricity promoters give boost to Maritime Link. Reporter JoAnn Alberstat interviewed CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee about the purpose behind the Association’s Electricity Week information campaign. The article features quotes from Mr. Burpee about the value of electricity and planning to invest in the future. Click here to read the full article.

On February 13, CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee’s Electricity Week speech to a Cape Breton Partnership Luncheon was featured in an article called Electricity association wants to spark national debate. This Cape Breton Post article contains numerous quotes from Mr. Burpee speaking about the value of electricity and the need for new investment to meet future demands. Click here for read the full article.

Also on February 13, the Cape Breton Post published an article called Generating station take public on power trip. Written by Ken MacLeod, the article describes a tour of the Point Aconi generating system in Nova Scotia as part of Electricity Week events in that province, and mentions CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee’s speech at a Cape Breton Partnership Luncheon in Sydney. Click here to read the full article.

On February 12, the Cape Breton Post published a letter to the editor from CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee called Electricity’s value is more than just cost to consumers. In the letter, Mr. Burpee discusses the purpose of Electricity Week in Nova Scotia, the importance of electricity and investing in infrastructure for future generations. Click here to read the full letter.

January 2013

On January 30, the Globe and Mail published an article called As cost pressures mount, Ontario’s wholesale power prices set to soar. Reporter Shawn McCarthy interviewed CEA’s President and CEO Jim Burpee about what Ontario is doing to address rising power prices in the next decade. Click here to read the full article.

On January 23, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued a report called Electricity in Canada: Smart Investment to Power Future Competitiveness. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce argues that as Canada continues to define its place as a responsible energy producer, electricity will play a significant role in Canada’s energy future. It also discusses how Canada’s electricity sector is transitioning from fossil fuel-based thermal generation to non-emitting, renewable sources of electricity.

CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee is quoted in the press release, saying, “Canada needs to invest significantly in refurbished and new electricity infrastructure in order to maintain system reliability.” He also explains how, “A pan-Canadian approach to energy would support areas of inter-provincial cooperation and promote the further development of the smart grid, renewable energy, harmonized standards for energy efficiency and the development of electrical vehicle infrastructure. Although provinces have historically approached their electricity system and supply independently, opportunities exist for increased interprovincial cooperation to create a more efficient, sustainable and affordable electricity system for Canadians.” Click here to read the report. Click here to read the press release.

October 2012

On October 17, CEA’s Vice President of Policy Advocacy, Francis Bradley, was quoted in an article in Embassy Magazine called With Canada-US perimeter plan, a focus on security. The article, written by reporter Carl Meyer, appeared in Embassy’s 2012 Security policy briefing. To read the full article, click here.

On October 17, the Estevan Mercury published an article called Gunnlaughson recognized with Lifesaver Award. The article is about SaskPower employee Darcy Gunnlaughson, and the heroic actions he took saving his daughter’s life that led to his Lifesaver Award win at this year’s CEA 2012 Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Awards reception. To read the full article, click here.

Yukon Energy’s win at CEA’s 2012 Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Awards is featured in Canadian News (October) on Hydroworld.com. To read more, click here.

On October 9, Richmond News wrote an article about “Team Canada B.C.”’s big win at CEA’s 2012 Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Awards reception in Ottawa on October 2. A picture is featured of the team members who attended the reception, posing alongside of the evening’s Keynote Speaker, the Hon. Minister Lisa Raitt. To read the full article, click here.

On October 3, Electrical Line Magazine wrote about CEA’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Awards reception. The article also mentioned the release of OHS’s 2012 Report, called Achieving Excellence in Health and Safety. To read the full article, click here.

September 2012

On September 5, the Globe and Mail published an article called Ottawa unveils new coal-fired plant emissions rules. Reporter Shawn McCarthy interviewed CEA’s President and CEO Jim Burpee about the electricity industry’s perspective on the new regulations for the article. Jim is quoted several times. To read the article it in its entirety, click here.

August 2012

On August 7, The Hill Times released its annual Energy Policy Briefing. The briefing includes an article titled Feds refocus environmental assessment process on major energy projects. CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee is quoted several times in the article, where he discusses how the regulatory changes to environmental assessment will affect the energy sector, and more specifically; the electricity sector. Click here to read the full article (original link: here) which begins on page 18 and ends on page 23.

Article By Chris Plecash, courtesy of The Hill Times, originally published Aug. 6, 2012.

June 2012

The Canadian Electricity Association is featured and interviewed in a three-page article in the June 2012 issue of Electricity Today: the North American transmission & distributioin magazine. The article discusses common investment concerns in Canada's electrical utility industry. Click here to read the magazine online.

May 2012

On May 11, Macleans and Canadian Business magazines published a special interest feature called The Future of Energy. CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee was quoted multiple times within the feature, in articles on the subject of smart grids. To read the articles, click here and scroll to page five.

March 2012

On March 22, the Electrical Business Magazine wrote about the recent Ontario Energy Network event, where CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee was the keynote speaker. This online article provides a brief outline about Jim's speech, and displays a slideshow of images from the event. To read the full article, click here.

On March 15, the Vancouver Sun printed an article titled "Globe 2012: Smart meters, grids, key to power utility growth". Reporting from the Globe 2012 Conference in Vancouver, writer Scott Simpson informs readers that "Smart meters are the foundation of a more functional and reliable electricity 'smart grid' - not an Orwellian effort to spy on customers". To read the full article, click here.

February 2012

On February 15, the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business published an article titled “Skilled trades deficit colliding with energy boom”. Written by Eugene Lang and Christopher Smillie, the article refers to the recent Conference Board of Canada report: “the electricity sector will invest nearly $300-billion over the same period to maintain existing assets and meet market growth, and you have the largest construction boom since the postwar period”, explains the article. To read the full article, click here.

On February 15, Mira Shenker, Editor of ReNew Canada Magazine, published an extensive article called “The Infrastructure-Economy Link”. The article features an interview with CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee, where he commented “The 2011 report from the Conference Board breaks the infrastructure need down between distribution, transmission, and generation, the largest percentage being generation. This second [report] was done because these investments should be seen as more than just a cost. They will have a positive impact on [Canada’s] GDP”. To read the full article,click here.

On February 14, the Vancouver Sun published an article about the $347 billion in renewal that the Canadian electricity grid desperately needs. Reporter Scott Simpson reported that a recent report (full report can be viewed by clicking here) released by the Conference Board of Canada confirmed that investments and repairs to expand the power grid will in turn create a steady stream of jobs. CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee was interviewed for the article, and said that “I think one of our issues from a public perspective is people's expectation of price and service. They think they can always get the same high level of service. If you look at the North American system it's extremely reliable. But you can't always expect the price to remain flat or go down. We're not like Walmart where we can roll back prices." The full article can be read by clicking here.

On February 13, Canadian Manufacturing/Canadian Metalworking magazine wrote an article regarding the findings in the recent Conference Board of Canada report. Pedro Antunes, The Conference Board’s Director of National and Provincial Forecast, is quoted in the article as saying “In addition to the contribution that the electricity industry itself brings to the economy, the direct, indirect and induced economic impact of infrastructure investment is widespread”. CEA’s President and CEO, Jim Burpee, is also quoted in the article stating, “investments to upgrade, repair and expand Canada’s electricity infrastructure will boost Canada’s economy for years to come and create a steady stream of high paying jobs for Canadians”. To read the article in its entirety, click here.

On February 13, the Globe and Mail Global Energy Reporter Shawn McCarthy published an article about the future of Canadian power, noting that utility companies will soon be forced to spend billions of dollars just to “keep the lights on”. CEA President and CEO Jim Burpee provided some insight into the upcoming challenges facing the electricity industry, including the need for regulatory reform. Click here to read the full article.

On February 1, CEA’s President and CEO Pierre Guimond published an article in the February edition of Alberta Oil magazine titled, Pierre Guimond: We Will ‘Go Long’ on Shale Gas. His article was one of a number included in a ‘Bright Ideas’ feature answering the question What does the future hold for energy in North America? The focus of Pierre’s submission was on shale gas being a potential game-changer for the continent. Click here to read the article.

November 2011

On November 30, CEA President and CEO Pierre Guimond was interviewed in Washington by Environment & Energy Publishing (E&E) for its on-line webcast, OnPoint. The segment focussed the impact of U.S. regulations on Canada's electricity grid. Guimond explained how the United States' transmission and environmental regulations will affect the Canadian electricity industry. He also weighed in on the clean energy standard discussion in light of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman's (D-N.M.) push to introduce legislation next year. The webcast is accessible by clicking here. The transcript is available by clicking here.

On November 24, an editorial by Canadian Electricity Association President and CEO Pierre Guimond was published by Mediaplanet Publishing House Ltd. for the National Post newspaper. The 8-page National Post supplement focussed on "Alternative Energy" and featured Pierre’s article Clean Electricity Sets Canada Apart on page four. Click here to view the supplement.

On November 17, CBC News reported on a report released by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy that calls for a Water fee hike for industry. The article focussed on the report’s suggestion that Canadian provinces should consider charging higher fees for water to encourage its water-reliant natural resource industries to use the resource more efficiently. Pierre Guimond, President and CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association was quoted in the coverage, expressing support for the initiative as a means to provide tools to help Canadians be good stewards of their water.

January 2010

On January 10th, CEA Vice President, Policy Development Francis Bradley appeared on CBC Radio One (The Current). The special report focused on Canadian Energy Infrastructure. To listen to the session click here, Francis's feature starts 01:20 minutes into the video.

September 2010

On September 14, Pierre A. Guimond, Canadian Electricity Association President and Chief Executive Officer talks to Energy2point0 about electricity and the important role social media can play in educating the public. Click here to view interview.

July 2010

On July 6, CEA President and CEO Pierre Guimond appeared on CBC News The National. The special report focused on Canada's electricity system following the high profile power outage on July 5. Mr. Guimond discussed the need for renewal of Canada's Electricity system infrastructure and the challenges of system reliability. Click here (type Pierre Guimond in the Search Video tool).